Faith Mountain Website
Discipleship Manual
Christian Home And Family
Break Line

     As God is bringing restoration and order to the Household of God (the church), we find that the home plays a vital part in this visitation. In the Old Testament, the family was the corporate body of worshippers with the father as the spiritual leader and authority. (Joshua 14:15)

  1. How Is The Christian Home Established?

         A material house does not come together without a blueprint. As Christians, the blueprint of God's Word is our guideline for establishing our home.

    1. Every institution must have a proper foundation - (Matthew 7:24-27, Luke 6:46-49)

      1. Proper foundation for the family unit is first to be "born again".

      2. Not only hear the Word of God, but practice it as it relates to the family unit and relationships within the family.

    2. A home must be built - (Psalm 127:1, Proverbs 14:1)

      1. Each member has a responsibility.

      2. As each member functions in his/her area of responsibility, the home will be built.

    3. There must be divinely instituted government with the home. (Ephesians 6:1-4, 5:22-32) There is a "chain of command", within the home, even as there is in the Chruch or civil government. (I Corinthians 11:3, Colossians 1:18)


  2. What Is The Purpose Of Headship?

    1. The Scriptures declare that the husband and wife are "one flesh". Thus, headship is not intended to bring about division, but unity.

    2. Headship does not mean:

      1. Dictatorship

      2. Inequality of men, women or children

      3. Inferiority of women

      4. Superiority of men


  3. What Is Marriage?

    1. A Covenant publicly made between a man and a woman, and God for the purpose of founding and maintaining a family.

    2. Of vital interest to God. He instituted it in Genesis 1:26-28, 2:18-25.

    3. It is intended to be a life-long union that can only be dissolved by death or unfaithfulness (Romans 7:2-3). Matthew 19:6 says, "Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let no man put asunder."


  4. What Are The Responsibilities Of The Husband And Wife?

    1. Husband:

      1. He must acknowledge and confess Jesus Christ as Lord of his life.

      2. He must accept that God has ordained that he be the priest and head of his household (Ephesians 6:1-2), and that he himself is under headship - (I Corinthians 11:3).

      3. He must recognize that his wife was created by God to be his help-meet; not help-mate - (Genesis 2:18)

      4. He must recognize that his wife is of like nature and substance - (Genesis 2:23)

      5. He must leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife - (Ephesians 5:31)

      6. He must recognize that he and his wife are one, even as Christ and the Church are one - (Ephesians 5:30-31)

      7. He must love his wife as Christ loves the Church - (Ephesians 5:2, 25-31)

      8. He must sacrifice for his wife, give himself even as Christ gave Himself for the Church - (Ephesians 5:25)

      9. He must nourish ("to promote health and strength") his wife - (Ephesians 5:29)

      10. He must cherish ("to impart warmth, foster, care for") his wife - (Ephesians 5:29)

    2. Wife:

      1. She must know her area of responsibility. Husband and wife are equal as persons, but not equal in responsibilities.

      2. Must accept responsibility in the right attitude. The woman is not inferior to man; nor competing with man.

      3. She must have a submissive spirit (Hebrew meaning; "to come under the protection of another") - (Ephesians 5:22-24, Colossians 3:18, I Peter 3:1-6)

      4. She must have a quiet and meek spirit - (I Peter 3:1-6)

      5. She must be modest and godly - (I Timothy 3:9-10)

      6. Recognize that she and her husband are heirs together of the grace of life - (I Peter 3:7)

      7. The wife is the help-meet; the complement to her husband - (Genesis 2:18)

      8. She is to love her husband and children - (Titus 2:4)

         A marriage must pivot around the will of God and the purpose of God for their lives. When a couple is married, they begin the adventure of "oneness". It can only be encountered as they both love God and one another. They cannot follow two independent courses of action.


  5. What Does The Bible Say About Children?

    1. They are the heritage of the Lord - (Psalm 127:35)

    2. They are the reward of the Lord - (Psalm 127:3, 113:9, Genesis 33:5)

    3. They are highly esteemed by God - (Psalm 127:4-5, 128:3, Matthew 19:14)

    4. They are a crown - (Proverbs 17:6)


  6. What Are The Scriptural Responsibilities Of Parents?

    1. They must bring their children to Jesus Christ - (Matthew 19:13-14, Mark 10:13)

    2. Parents must:

      1. Love God

      2. Study His Word

      3. Teach their children to do the same - (Deuteronomy 6:5-7)

    3. Parent's must administer correction when needed:

      1. Correction is an act of love - (Proverbs 13:24)

      2. Correction will drive out foolishness - (Proverbs 22:15)

        1. Foolishness, if not corrected, will produce pride - (Proverbs 14:3)

        2. Foolishness and pride yield:

          1. Contention - (Proverbs 13:10)

          2. Strife - (Proverbs 28:25)

          3. Shame - (Proverbs 11:2, 29:15)

      3. Withholding correction will destroy a child - (Proverbs 23:13-14)

    4. Parents are to train their children - (Proverbs 22:6)

           Definition of train: "to bring a requisite standard, as of conduct or skill, by protracted and careful instruction; specifically, to mold the character of; educate; instruct; to render skillful or proficient."

    5. Parents are not to provoke their children, but bring them up in the nuture and admonition of the Lord - (Ephesians 6:4, Colossians 3:21)


  7. What Are The Responsibilities Of The Child Toward His Parents?

    1. Children are to honor their parents - (Deuteronomy 5:16, Ephesians 6:2-3)

    2. Children are to obey their parents - (Ephesians 6:1, Deuteronomy 30:2, Proverbs 1:8, Colossians 3:20)


     The Christian home provides the foundation for the Church. Our relationship with our family members teach us principles vital in building strong relationships with God and His body. Through the family we learn to love, serve and tenderly care for one another.


Review Questions
  1. What is marriage?
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  2. What are the husband's responsibilities to his wife?
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  3. What are the wife's responsibilities to her husband?
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  4. What does God's Word say about children?
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  5. What are the parent's responsibilities to their children?
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Last modified: 10/25/2002