Satan hates families and seeks to divide; conquer and break families apart in any manner he can; to isolate individuals. He is very cunning, persuasive, and subtle. The more he can get families to be apart by dividing them physically, as well as spiritually, emotionally, and mentally; the better he likes it. If you are bothered by this article; then exit out of this subject and leave it alone!

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We must put God the Father first, above all others. Mat 10:37, "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me." This verse calls us to put God first in our lives and demonstrates the importance of our spiritual connection with Him.

Families are significant in God's design of unity, peace, and prosperity. The Bible shows the family as a central institution, a hub with multi-generations helping one another. Families aren't just important for their practical support, but for fulfillment and identity too.

Pro 22:6, "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." This scripture emphasizes the important role parents have in guiding and teaching their children. Strong families contribute to the stability and well-being of communities and nations.

The Bible places a strong emphasis on the roles and responsibilities within the family. Parents are charged with the spiritual and moral education of their children. Deu 6:5-7, "And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." This scripture underscores the importance of instilling God's commandments in the hearts of the next generation. Eph 6:4, "Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."

Col 3:20, "Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord." It is important that children honor and obey their parents when young and continue to honor and respect their parents when those children become adults. Eph 6:1-3, "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 'Honor your father and mother' (which is the first commandment with a promise), 'that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth.' " Mutual respect and obedience within the family structure is vital for maintaining harmony and fulfilling God's purposes.

The Church as a Spiritual Family: Acts 16:31 "And they said, 'Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.' " This underscores the potential for your faith to have a positive influence on your extended family, pointing them towards salvation.

The Concept of Family Extends to the Church: Believers are called brothers and sisters in Christ, emphasizing the spiritual kinship transcending biological ties. Gal 6:10 "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith." The spiritual family provides support, encouragement, and accountability, reflecting the love and unity that God desires for His people.

Eph 2:19, "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God." This scripture highlights the inclusion and unity we share as believers, and the sense of belonging we have in the family of God. About Extended Family: The following verse acknowledges the spiritual heritage that can be passed down through generations within an extended family. It highlights the influence and impact that a faithful grandparent or parent may have on the faith of their children and grandchildren. 2Ti 1:5, "I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well."

Our relationships with extended family play a significant role in our lives. The Bible provides guidance on how to show love, respect, and care for relatives beyond our immediate household. These biblical principles help us build stronger connections with our extended family. Gen 2:24, "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and be united to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." Thus Highlighting the importance of marriage and the joining together of two individuals as one, forming a new family unit, but acknowledges the significance of the bond between them and their parents.

Exo 20:12, "Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you." This commandment reminds us of the importance of showing respect and honor to our parents. It encourages us to value and cherish the relationship we have with our family members, particularly our parents, as it contributes to a blessed and fulfilling life.

Psa 103:17-18, "But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear {revere} Him, and His righteousness to children's children, to those who keep His covenant and remember to do His commandments." This reassures us of God's unfailing love and faithfulness to future generations, extending to our children and grandchildren; and the importance of passing down the knowledge of God's love and obedience to His commandments within our extended family.

1Ti 5:8, "But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." We have a responsibility to provide for our relatives, especially those within our immediate family, spouse and children and our elderly parents as well as extended family if able. The apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of meeting the needs of our loved ones and warns against neglecting our family obligations. On a larger scale this nation should take care and provide for its own people first.

Joh 19:26-27, "When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, 'Woman, behold, your son!' Then he said to the disciple, 'Behold, your mother!' And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home." This passage demonstrates Jesus' care for his mother, Mary, as he passes her into the care of the disciple whom he loved. It showcases the importance of taking care of our family members, even beyond the boundaries of traditional family relationships. It shows if you for some reason cannot care for you parents for a time; to seek someone you trust and is responsible, who will be there for them until you can provide care.

God cares and provides for those who may feel alone or isolated. He expects us to do the same with especially our elderly parents or disabled family members; who do not get about without help. It reminds us of God's desire to place the lonely in a loving and nurturing environment, showcasing the importance of family love and support.

The next verse highlights the sense of unity within the body of Christ, teaching us to share in each other's joys and sorrows, demonstrating the importance of supporting and caring for one another as an extended spiritual family: 1Co 12:25-27, "That there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. 27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.

Luke 15:11-32, Christ tells his disciples of a man with two sons. The younger son asked for his inheritance and set out on a venture to see the world. After a time he squandered his inheritance with wild living. He ended up impoverished in a time of severe famine. He hired himself out and was sent to tend pigs. He realized the pigs were eating better than him and he was starving. He decided to return home and offer to work as a servant. But his father had been looking and praying for his son's return for many months and was overjoyed when his younger son returned and ordered a feast made to celebrate the prodigal's return. The story goes on but the main idea is his son realized in a far place from home and family, no one cared about him, or if he lived or died. He realized he needed family and friends who would be there to help him and visa versa.

Many times children leave the parental home, environment, and even familiar places and friends. If they have not established a good support group, church family, or established good friends in their new home area; many problems develop. They become prey to all sorts of people, who will try to harm them, trick them, undermine them, and do not care about them. Wisdom tells us, while it is good to have your own immediate family, it is best to not go too far distant from friends, family, and church family, so you will have a good support group, in times of trials and need.

Pro 17:6, "Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children are their fathers." This highlights the joy and significance of having grandchildren. It acknowledges the special role of grandchildren bringing joy and honor to their grandparents. It emphasizes the importance of fathers in the lives of their children, as fathers bring them pride and glory.

Ruth was loyal and devoted to her mother-in-law, Naomi. She exemplifies the importance of family bonds and the willingness to support and stay committed to our loved ones, even in difficult times. Rth 1:16-17, "But Ruth replied: 'Do not urge me to leave you or to turn from following you. For wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live; your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. 17 Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD punish me, and ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.' "

Psa 127:3, "Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward." This reminds us of the precious gift that children are, and the unique blessing they bring to our lives. It encourages us to cherish and care for our children as a valuable part of our extended family.

Why Family is Valued by God: A True believer can foster faith by teaching children about God and His love from their young age. Family relationships offer the chance to practice and experience love, kindness, forgiveness, and other aspects of God’s character. A strong interdependent family provides stability, security, and support. This echoes God's constant presence and care in our lives. The family is a training ground for life. Children learn values, interact with others, deal with conflicts, and grow as individuals. Through family, godly principles and values can be passed from one generation to the next.

A godly family serves as a witness to non-believers. It showcases God's love and power. Choosing to value family as God does, means recognizing the family as a social unit that supports and helps and is there for one another. It means seeing family as a spiritual institution designed by God. It's about sharing nurturing love, faith, and godly values within the family. This positively impacts family members and society. It also makes a larger unit that can protect you from people who would tear you apart and would destroy you; because there are enough family members to stand up firmly against a wicked society; those who hate God, and hate the strong multi-generational interdependent family unit.

In summary, the Bible presents the family as a vital component of God's plan for humanity. Through the family, God accomplishes His purposes, reflects His nature, and prepares His people for eternal fellowship with Him. As commandment keepers we are expected: 1Jn 5:21, "Little children, keep yourselves from idols." We are in the world, but not part of the world: Rev 18:4, "Then I heard another voice from heaven say: 'Come out of her, My people, so that you will not share in her sins or contract any of her plagues.' "

The importance of family in God's plan is not limited to earthly life but extends into eternity. 2Co 6:17-18, "Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, 18 and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty." The family serves as a metaphor for the relationship between Christ and His church, as seen in Rev 19:7, "Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him the glory. For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready." This image of marriage and family points to the ultimate fulfillment of God's plan in the eternal union of Christ, and His people, who are His children and family perpetually.

Family Relationships Are Important to God

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