In any society, the family is a unit to reproduce new members, care for each individual, protect all from harm, and provide everyone with social and educational interactions (Craven et al., n.d.). Christian family has a bigger role to maintain the presence of sanctified people through generations and serve as an example for the world to follow. As God is holy, Christian family must be holy (Leviticus 11: 45, The concordance of Bible by Hendrickson Publishers).
In this issue, we will study God’s criteria and guidance for a Christian family. Family has different members with distinguishable roles. Thus, we will talk about each role separately.
The role of a father
Titus 1
6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
The passage above talks about positions of elders which are reserved for recognized members in the church. However, even the least among Christians needs to possess these qualities. The father is the leader of a family. He needs to show good examples for his wife and children to follow. He ought to have only one wife. Polygamy is a sin and must not ever exist within a Christian community. The father must know how to teach and discipline his children to behave. He needs to conduct himself in a moderate manner. He must not drink wine, succumb to anger, or be a lover of money. He must know the Word of God and teach the Word to his family. Another passage shows us the qualities of a man as a bishop.
1 Timothy 3
2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
Again, we see that a man has to know how to rule his house. He cannot remain idle. This is a big responsibility that God assigns to man.
Titus 2
6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
The role of a mother
Titus 2
3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
The passage here mentions “the aged women” who can represent mature mothers in families. We can see common advice against the use of wine, along with other good virtues such as obedience, chastity, and discreetness. The mother is responsible to keep the house in order, teach younger women in their conducts within their families, and show love to the husband and children.
1 Timothy 2
9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
God also instructs the mother, or women in general, to dress in modesty. In contrast to the world fashion which is full of make-ups, elaborate hairdressing, jewelries, and expensive clothing, Christian mother must remain simple in her choice of attire. She must cover her body well to avoid attention from others. What sets her apart is godliness “with good works” (1 Timothy 2: 10), not how she looks.
1 Timothy 2
11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.
Numerous debates on women as teachers or preachers in the church occurred. We have to strictly abide in the Word of God. The Word of God is our final authority. As we examine 1 Timothy 2: 11-15, women are expected to remain silent and not to teach in the church. Within the church, women or mothers can teach other women only (Titus 2: 4), share the Gospel to save souls, and sing Gospel songs. However, pastorship and teachership are for men. The Bible (1 Timothy 2: 13-14) explains that it is because Adam was the first human before Eve, and Eve was “deceived” by Satan. If this is the order of operation in church from God, we have no right to object. We have to obey.
The mother has a crucial role in raising children who become a new generation of Christianity. Her virtues and parenting will have profound influences on these young people. She must not take this responsibility lightly.
The role of children
Colossians 3
18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.
21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger; lest they be discouraged.
This passage teaches us the dynamic within a Christian family. The wife needs to submit to the husband. The husband cannot exploit the position of the head to cause troubles to his wife. He must love and care for the wife. His ruling must be fair and reasonable. A Christian husband cannot raise his hands to beat his wife. He cannot suppress her in any way. Children must obey their parents. Spirits of rebellions and stubbornness will not please the Lord. Again, as with wives, fathers have to be reasonable in dealing with their children.
Brotherhood
1 Thessalonians 4: 6
That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.
Brotherhood can be extended to brothers in the church. We ought to love our brothers and not to do anything that hurts our brothers.
Widows
1 Timothy 5
4 But if any widow have children and nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.
5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.
6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.
7 And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.
8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,
10 Well reported for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.
The Lord instructs widows to continue in “good works”. If a widow has “children and nephews”, she ought to take care of them and show them good examples. She ought to serve the Lord in prayers and supplications (1 Timothy 5: 5).
The Bible warns young widows of the idleness and suggests that they may marry and keep up with domestic duties.
1 Timothy 5
13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
Masters and servants
Titus 2
9 Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;
10 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.
Colossians 3
22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:
23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
Servants have to obey masters’ orders. Today, we usually do not encounter types of servants in the old times. However, we have many people working as employees. An employee must have respect for his employers. He must do the work wholeheartedly because of the fear of God, not for people to see. Serving masters faithfully is to serve the Lord and His rules.
In conclusion, a sanctified Christian family follows the Word of God closely. Members of the family make all efforts to protect each other and stay away from defilement of this world. They are sanctified, and they are blessed. They will receive the everlasting inheritance in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Sam Christian
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Acknowledgements
Vocabulary and grammar checks were done with the help of Collinsdictionary.com, Microsoft Word, and Google Docs. Rules of punctuations were checked with ATI TEAS Secret Study Guide TEAS 6 by Mometrix, 2nd edition.
The Bible used is the King James Version by Hendrickson Publishers. ISBN 978-1-59856-461-7. Some texts were inspired by boldfaced words, and reference systems from this Bible book. The concordance of this Bible book was also used to search for a verse.
Comparison for more accurate texts was done with the King James version Bible Large Print Thinline Edition by Christian Art Publishers.
Citation was done with www.citefast.com following a modified style from APA 7.
Reference
Craven, R. F., Hirnle, C. J., & Henshaw, C. M. (n.d.). Fundamentals of Nursing Concepts and Competencies for Practice (9th ed.). LWW.
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