Family Tree

Families can be described in many ways: close-knit, supportive or dysfunctional. One thing most families provide is a supportive structure for their members. Once the foundation of a family is laid, the structure of the family can be established. Now the Bible clearly reveals requirements for establishing a successful family. These are that wives are to submit to their husbands, husbands are to love their wives, children are to obey their parents and parents are to treat their children is an encouraging manner.

Responsibility means doing what needs to be done to take care of yourself, your family, your friends, and the greater community. Being responsible means that others can rely on you, which you follow through on your promises.

Kids need to learn that acting responsibly might involve doing something difficult--like studying for a test or giving up social plans in favour of helping the family. Responsibility can also take moral strength--such as saying no to drugs, smoking. Parents teach their children to act responsibly and do the right thing.

Children learn trust from having parents who are trustworthy. When kids are nurtured well and consistently, they develop a sense of basic trust and security. So if you say you’re coming home for dinner, do your best to be there. When you make a promise, try to fulfil it. If unexpected events keep you from following up, explain why honestly and simply. This provides a good model as children learn to take responsibility for their own actions. As a child, if you promise never to do something again, make extra effort to keep your word. This becomes easier when over time, it has been learned from a parent or older relative, the importance of one’s word.

The key to unity in the home is to be humble and gentle. Humility will allow a person to see the soundless of another’s opinion. Gentleness will communicate a desire to work out situation when conflicts occur and will create an environment in which conflicts can be resolved in a healthy and safe manner. Each member of the family must be patient with the others, bearing with one another in love. When members of a family structure that will withstand the challenges that threaten to tear it apart.