What is the Christian attitude towards family?

Answer 1

Jesus Christ said that His followers were not to divorce unless the spouse had committed adultery, thus establishing the permanent marriage. A system of order is established in Christian homes throughout the epistles. The apostle Peter wrote that wives were to obey their husbands, and that husbands were to honour their wives and take care of them. The Apostle Paul wrote that it is fine not to marry, but if the temptation to fornication is strong, it is better to marry. The spouses are to render due benevolence (kindness) to one another. The wife is not to withold herself from her husband, unless they have a mutual agreement for fasting and prayer, and then for a short period of time. Again the prohibition of divorce is emphasized. It is stated that remarriage is OK after the death of one's spouse. In the letter to the Ephesians, Paul tells us that the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ is the head of the church. Therefore, the wife is to submit to her husband as all Christians are to submit to Christ. And the husband is to love his wife, as Christ loved the church, and gave himself for it. And finally, the husband is to love his wife as himself, and the wife is to reverence her husband. Children are told to obey their parents and honor them. Supporting verses follow. Matthew 5: 31It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: 32But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery. 1 Peter 3 1Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; 2While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. 3Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 4But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. 5For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: 6Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. 7Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. 1 Corinthians 7 1Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. 2Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. 3Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. 4The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. 5Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency. 10And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: 11But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife. 12But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. 13And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. 14For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. 15But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace. 27Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife. 28But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you. 39The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord. Ephesians 5 1Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. 3But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 21Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. 22Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 25Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 28So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. 29For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: 30For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 31For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 32This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. Ephesians 6 1Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 2Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; 3That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

Answer 2

A child's moral values begin to be formulated soon after birth and continue to foster and are greatly influenced by the moral values of his/her parents. When that child begins to reach his/her age of being able to reason, Christian parents should start to introduce the story of Christianity and the teachings of Jesus Christ to their child at a level that can be understood by the child. Furthermore, the parents must practice what they preach. In other words, the parents must amplify their teachings of Christianity by leading a Christian life. While going to Church is one important aspect of being a Christian; Christianity is also a way of life as is the case with other religions. The parents must continue to guide their child every step of the way so as to avoid the possibility of their child deviating from the moral values that were taught to their child. In some respects, it's analogous to monitoring a tree after it has been planted. If the tree starts to grow to one side or the other, the tree must be straightened by inserting one or more wooden rods into the ground and attaching the tree to the wooden rod(s). At some point, the tree will be able to grow properly on its own without further interventions. Leading a Christian life does not mean that one cannot have fun or not do the same things that non Christians do. It is inevitable that at some point in the child's life, he/she will make contact with people who are non Christians as well as people who have very different values. Loving Christian parents should explain these facts of life to their child in advance. They must teach their child to always respect the rights and values of other people without compromising his/her own values. Christian parents should also teach their child that he/she must never discriminate anyone because of their faith (or lack of); their skin color; their sexual preference; their nationality; their financial status and so on. If a building has a weak foundation, it may fall at some point; conversely, if a building has a strong foundation, it will probably remain standing. If a Christian child has a good set of moral and Christian values, he/she will most likely continue to live a Christian life which also advocates going to Church which is the symbolic house of Jesus Christ on earth.