What is the family?
Objectives of the Lesson
At the end of this Lesson, the participant will:
- Recognise several definitions of the family.
- Describe the family as a unit set-up by God
- Explain why it is important for the rules of God concerning the family to be adhered to
Introduction
The term family has been defined severally. It is sometimes referred to as a group of people who are related to each other. The family has also been considered as a group of one or more parents and their children living together as a unit. Some have suggested that people in a family are not necessarily related by blood, however, the members in that group love and support each other to the point that they trust each other and can confide in one another.
The family could be made up of parents and children, who may have a common ancestor, live together in a household and in some cases have a language used in communication within the group.
Based on the different definitions considered, a family can be seen as a group of people who are related not necessarily by blood, may live together in one household and are linked by a strong bond of love and support for each other, to the point that they trust and confide in one another.
For the unit remain as has been defined, it is necessary to recognise the role of God in its set-up. God designed that a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife so that they become one flesh (Genesis 2:24), thus highlighting how the unit begins.
The departure from parents is not rejection of parents because they have to be honoured (Colossians 3:20). It is rather the formation of a bond of love where the man and woman from relatively different backgrounds become one flesh.
The unit’s adherence to the rules of God concerning the family will has many advantages, including the following:
- It ensures that the wife will be fruitful like a vine and the children will be like olive shoots (Psalm 128:3).
- Children in the family will also be considered as blessings and so like arrows in the hand of a warrior, will be supported to reach their target (Psalm 127:3-5).
- The Love from God that binds them will have the due recognition and will be pursued above riches (Proverbs 15:17) so that whenever challenges arise in the unit, this LOVE will cover a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8).
Main Message: The family is an institution set up by God.
After reading the information and watching the video, go to the quiz for this topic and check your understanding and newly found knowledge
Now go to the Puzzle to have some brain excercise to make you grounded in this topic. when you are not sure about anything, come back to the text or rewatch the video as a reminder.
Exploration
1. According to Proverbs 22:6, what is the importance of adhering to God’s rule to train up a child?
They maintain the training given them from a young age.
2. How does the instruction in Ephesians 6: 1-4 benefit the family?
• Parents are obeyed and honoured by children
• Children are kept happy and instructed to know the Lord
3. How does the instruction of Love according to 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 seek to ensure the permanence of the family unit?
• Promotes much needed patience and kindness
• Highlights envy, boastfulness and pride as attitudes to be done away with.
• Promotes honouring others and selflessness.
• Promotes forgiveness and celebration of good times.
• Promotes a sense of unity based on the protection, trust, hope and preservation that the family brings.