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Christian understanding of the family

Answer Text:
Christian understanding of the family:
-A Christian family is founded on a monogamous marriage.
- Saint Paul, in the New Testament teaches that, each man should have his own wife and each woman should also have her own husband as a remedy against immorality (1 Corinthians 7:2-5). The family is composed of the father, mother and children. However, unlike in traditional African understanding of a family, children are not a must, although they are viewed as a gift and blessing from God.
- Both husband and wife should fulfil their conjugal rights towards each other.
-They should have mutual understanding and not deny one another.
- Both are masters of each other’s body and should seek reconciliation in case of disagreement. In the book of Ephesians, Paul explains that a husband and wife should be governed by love, submission, respect and mutual obedience to each other (Ephesians 5:21-23).
-Humble attitudes of wives towards husbands will enhance spiritual growth of the husbands and strengthen family relationships. (Peter 3:1-7).
- Peter recommends to wives and husbands to live together with respect, understanding and love.
-Husbands are advised to be considerate with their wives, to bestow honour on them as both are heirs of God’s salvation.
-Husbands are warned against being harsh to their wives.
- They should also not provoke their children or else they become discouraged.
- Qualities which make a happy family life are love, kindness, forgiveness, humility and gentleness ( Colossians 3: 18-19)
In a family, children are supposed to obey their parents because this is what pleases God.