Question: What is wrong with the family?

    Answer: We began our biblical answer of this good question last week by noticing that God is the founder of the family, and, therefore has the inherent right to instruct us as to how to enjoy good families. We saw that families must recognize God'’ authority, and that men and women need to acknowledge the indissolubility of marriage.

    Families must submit to God’s order of headship. When you have a functioning group of people, headship must be observed to preclude total chaos. God has set the husband as the head of the family. Paul wrote, "For the husband is the head of the wife…" (Eph. 5:23). Concerning children God through Paul commands, "Children, obey your parents in the Lord…"(Eph. 6:1).

    Husband/fathers must accept God’s challenge. Frankly, many men today are failures as husbands and fathers – according to God’s standard! The husband is to love his wife as his own body (Eph. 5:25-33). The father primarily has the responsibility of "…bringing up his children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." (Eph. 6:1). Hence, the father is to head the family, domestically and spiritually.

    Wives/mothers must accept God’s challenge. "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord." She is to "reverence her husband" (Eph. 5:22,33). Both husband and wife are to be unselfish in their relationship (I Cor. 7:2-5). Mothers are to seek the well-being of their children over simply pursuing a career (cf. Prov. 31:1-31).

    Beloved, when a family is built on God’s word, it has a lasting foundation which can stand the storms of life (Matt. 7:24-28). How is your family?