Lesson 14. How to Run a Family
The Bible does not pressure single people to get married or have kids. 1 Corinthians 7:37,38
If a man and a woman want to have a sexual relationship with one another they should get married. 1 Corinthians 7:2; 9 Hebrews 13:4
Both in the marriage should be generous in fulfilling the others intimacy needs and neither should look outside of the marriage for sexual gratification. Proverbs 5:18; 1 Corinthians 7:9
Just as on a team, or in a theater production, each member must play their position or role, each member of a family must play their role to have success.
Roles of the Family Members
Husbands are to be the head of the family. They should be loving, kind, reasonable and self sacrificing as Christ was. Ephesians 5:23, 25, 28-30; 1 Timothy 5:8
Husbands should love their wives in the same way they love themselves. Ephesians 5:33
Wives are to voluntarily submit to their husbands in every way. Ephesians 5:24
Wives must have deep respect for their Husbands. Ephesians 5:33, 1 Peter 3:6
Children in the household are to be obedient to their parents as well as respectful. Ephesians 6:1
Parents are not to abuse their children, including mentally or emotionally. Ephesians 6:4
When adults get married they should prioritize their relationship with their spouse over their relationship with their parents. Matthew 19:5; Mark 10:7
Loyalty
We should not love anyone to the detriment of ourselves. True love is benficial for all involved. Matt 22:39; 1 Corinthians 13:4,5
Becoming a true Christian can cause you to see a clear division in your family. Luke 12:51,52
We should prioritize loyalty to Jesus over loyalty to our families even if we risk losing them. Luke 12:52, 53; Mark 10:29
When a hypocritical Christian is unremorsefully practicing evil, we must disconnect from them, even if they are a family member. 1 Corinthians 5:11
Even if our family head tells us to stop studying the Bible or teaching others about it we cannot obey them. Acts 5:29; Matthew 12:46-50