The Meaning of Family
Families are much more than just a group of persons living in one house. Family is the foundation on which a society is formed. The basic composition of a family changes from the Old Testament to the New Testament as Jesus provided a new understanding of family. The household of the New Testament are outlined along with their duties for the members as husband, wife, child, slaves, servants, and others who live there for various reasons. Understanding the biblical family structures, commitments, and functions are essential to the successfulness of one's society.
The structure of the New Testament Christian family starts with God's order for the family to be a man and woman, as husband and wife. Unlike the Old Testament the New Testament family founded on a love bond experience by both male and female in contrast to the arranged marriages of the Old Testament. Women were not to be considered property by men, but rather were to be loved and nurtured. The relationship was to be permanent. Jesus addressed the issue of divorce, because it was so commonly and easily exercised by the men. Jesus believed that the love bond made the marriage vows sacred, and they were not to be broken.
Children were given a place of honor by Jesus. Having a child created an opportunity for parents to become co-creators with God in helping earthly children to become children of God. Therefore, the focus of the parent and child relationship was on love, honor, and respect as well as discipline and instruction.
The biblical structure of family focus of the Old Testament changed from the earthly father and was replaced by a lineage from "God the Father." Jesus said, "Call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven." It is accessible to anyone through Jesus Christ. Therefore, anyone who believes on Jesus can become part of the broader family of God.
The commitment of the Christian families foundation came from the Old Testaments concept of covenants and commitments in family relationships are deepened by the new covenant of love which was given with grace and forgiveness. Every relationships are guided by grace and the sacrificial love of Jesus. A Christian family commitments should be based upon openness, compassion, forgiveness, and understanding.
Following these commitments will help in the function of each family members roles. The roles of men and women were transformed by the love of Christ. The authority of the male became like the compassionate love that Jesus has for the church. The man is to love his wife as Christ loves the church. The nature of the Christian marriage relationship, guided by Jesus love, called for both man and woman to give themselves voluntarily to each other. Their commitments to each other helps provide a loving and nurturing atmosphere for their children and anyone else living in their home.
Without having a good healthy relationship with our heavenly father, we are not following our roles and commitments. Therefore our family structures have steadily declined. In our modern times a family can be defined by a multiple combination of people in a home, and this has caused many problems in our society today. Jails are full of hurting people. Foster care is over crowded with abused and unvated children. Drugs are something you hear about on the news daily. A family without God is a household without nurture and support.
written by: Sylvia M Clemons, April 26, 2010.
The structure of the New Testament Christian family starts with God's order for the family to be a man and woman, as husband and wife. Unlike the Old Testament the New Testament family founded on a love bond experience by both male and female in contrast to the arranged marriages of the Old Testament. Women were not to be considered property by men, but rather were to be loved and nurtured. The relationship was to be permanent. Jesus addressed the issue of divorce, because it was so commonly and easily exercised by the men. Jesus believed that the love bond made the marriage vows sacred, and they were not to be broken.
Children were given a place of honor by Jesus. Having a child created an opportunity for parents to become co-creators with God in helping earthly children to become children of God. Therefore, the focus of the parent and child relationship was on love, honor, and respect as well as discipline and instruction.
The biblical structure of family focus of the Old Testament changed from the earthly father and was replaced by a lineage from "God the Father." Jesus said, "Call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven." It is accessible to anyone through Jesus Christ. Therefore, anyone who believes on Jesus can become part of the broader family of God.
The commitment of the Christian families foundation came from the Old Testaments concept of covenants and commitments in family relationships are deepened by the new covenant of love which was given with grace and forgiveness. Every relationships are guided by grace and the sacrificial love of Jesus. A Christian family commitments should be based upon openness, compassion, forgiveness, and understanding.
Following these commitments will help in the function of each family members roles. The roles of men and women were transformed by the love of Christ. The authority of the male became like the compassionate love that Jesus has for the church. The man is to love his wife as Christ loves the church. The nature of the Christian marriage relationship, guided by Jesus love, called for both man and woman to give themselves voluntarily to each other. Their commitments to each other helps provide a loving and nurturing atmosphere for their children and anyone else living in their home.
Without having a good healthy relationship with our heavenly father, we are not following our roles and commitments. Therefore our family structures have steadily declined. In our modern times a family can be defined by a multiple combination of people in a home, and this has caused many problems in our society today. Jails are full of hurting people. Foster care is over crowded with abused and unvated children. Drugs are something you hear about on the news daily. A family without God is a household without nurture and support.
written by: Sylvia M Clemons, April 26, 2010.
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