Christian Family & Relationships

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.    Proverb 4:23 NKJV All units of people are social systems, in which we are in relationship with others and have a specific purpose. God created the family as the most intimate unit in which we learn roles, morals and how to love each other. We carry those lessons (or lack of them) into every system we enter...school, work, friends, church. Since we are human, we all fall short of the standard that Jesus set for us. Learn more about how to have healthy Christian relationships, starting with family.

MARRIAGE

The family is the foundation in which we all learn how to be healthy, functioning persons who can navigate the world in a purposeful way. In the Christian home, that purpose is to reach others for Christ and to care for God's people. The success of the family is directly related to the success of the marital relationship.

PARENTING

Parenting is how the marital partners provide a framework in which the children are expected to develop into committed Christians. This includes modeling, teaching, disciplining, chastening and nurturing. Although parenting is a joy and privilege, it is filled with challenges and frustrations. It is relatively easy for children to grow, but it is very difficult to raise them to be fully devoted followers of Christ who are willing to turn their life over to Him and His will.

FAMILY FAITH

As mentioned above, the family is the foundation for developing devoted followers of Christ. One of the most important aspects of building this foundation is establishing a family lifestyle that is based on living as a Christian every day in all activities. It is easy to compartmentalize our existence into "doing life," which means the hustle and bustle of work, school, and social engagements on the one hand. Then doing church and charitable activities on the other hand. This leaves a family foundation based on Christ as a side issue rather than the central purpose of the family.

FINANCES

The importance of sound financial management is often minimized in our lives. Scripture tells us it is a foundation of the believer's commitment to living as a Christian. Being good stewards tells God that we acknowledge that all we have comes from Him and belongs to Him. And more importantly, that we will use the resources for His purpose and not our own. It is easy to get caught in the world's view of money and finances rather than the Bible's.

COMMUNICATION

Effective communication is the foundation of healthy, loving relationships. All human relating is through some form of communication. The root of most dysfunction in relationships is faulty communication and the root of intimacy is effective communication in which both parties feel heard, understood and accepted.

The first place we learn these skills in in our family. School adds on to that foundation and is meant to teach us how to better negotiate the world of people. Each step along the way in our journey offers another level of communication skill building. Learn Healthy Communication Skills.