Traditions and values in Christian families

MarcyOne · Newbie Joined: Oct 15, 2009 Posts: 2 Status: **Offline**

The concept of a Christian family covers a wide variety of traditions and of religiosity, from very conservative to very liberal. But looking at a middle-of-the road Christian family can demonstrate a number of commonalities.

First, the underlying values of Christian families include mutual respect among family members. "Honor thy father and thy mother" is a key to what is expected of Christian children as they relate to their parents. It is not that Christian parents don't have conflicts with their children and vice-versa, but the ideal is always present and will always serve as a reminder of the proper relationship. Christian parents are also very aware of their responsibilities toward the children, especially the responsibility to pass on these values to the children.

Prayer is an important part of any individual Christian practice. It is also a very important part of a Christian family's practice. A Christian family encourages individual morning prayer, a prayer of thanksgiving for another day and a prayer to live their values that day. Most Christian families say grace at their family meals and encourage saying grace whenever or wherever the family members eat. Evening prayers are also for gratitude for the day just passed. It is also appropriate at this time to pray for other family members or anyone you know is in special need.

In today's churches there are mid-week opportunities to attend functions. There may be prayer groups or special interest groups like Bible study or Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. There might be choir practice or special classes and workshops. The amount of participation in church activities is pretty wide open.

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Prayer-Soldier · Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 11:19 am Post subject: Families and Church Communities

Dear MarcyOne,

I enjoyed reading your observations. We are all individuals, yet, the Lord created us to exist within families. He called us to love one another as he loved us. (John 13:34). He called us to community, but the community in which we are born starts with the family.

â€œBut from the beginning of creation, 'God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother (and be joined to his wife), and the two shall become one flesh.' So they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate." Mark 10:6-9

And in that joining, God blesses us with children. We are told, â€œChildren too are a gift from the LORD, the fruit of the womb, a reward.â€ Pslams 127:3 What we must ask ourselves is what do we invest in our family, in the gifts of our children? Some families are dysfunctional, yet others are a nurturing oasis. It is what we invest in each other in the spirit of God's Word that will allow us to fulfill God's commandment to love one another.

â€œSo (also) husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one hates his own flesh but rather nourishes and cherishes it, even as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. "For this reason a man shall leave (his) father and (his) mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." This is a great mystery, but I speak in reference to Christ and the church. In any case, each one of you should love his wife as himself, and the wife should respect her husband.â€ Ephesians 5:28-33

â€œChildren, obey your parents (in the Lord), for this is right. 'Honor your father and mother.' This is the first commandment with a promise, 'that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on earth.' Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up with the training and instruction of the Lord.â€ Ephisians 6:1-4

In this scripture, we find the expectations of our families, the love between parents and the love in the gift God has provided us in our children. There are many challenges to raising a family, and I agree with you Marcy that we find a nurturing environment within our church communities in which our families may flourish. Whether we are children learning how we may grow within God's family or parents seeking to raise our children in the ways and Word of the Lord, our church communities provide many opportunities.

Many blessings to you MarcyOne and I pray families will be encouraged by your words.

Blessings to all,
Prayer Soldier

nam-eno · Newbie Joined: Jul 05, 2007 Posts: 77 Status: **Offline**

Greetings:

MarcyOne's note points to how Christian values lead to strong bonds within a family. We often think of a family in terms of father, mother and children; and then we look at our extended family as we trace our linage through grandparents and the siblings or our parents. As we trace ourselves all the way back to the first man and woman God created, we find we are all related in God's family. Biblical scholars have noted that in Semitic usage, the terms "brother," "sister" are applied not only to children of the same parents, but to nephews, nieces, cousins, half-brothers, and half-sisters.

Jesus pointed to his disciples as His family. "But he said to them in reply, 'Who are my mother and (my) brothers?' And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, 'Here are my mother and my brothers. (For) whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.'" Mark 3:33-35

As MarcyOne related, the traditions of our family strengthen our faith. Through family prayer and time spent together, we reinforce one another. Through our participation in church, we extend ourselves and extend our works, but we also find nurturing through which our personal faith is strengthened. While we seek unity in God's family, Satan will seek to create many divisions. "If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand." Mark 3:24-25

Family can mean different combinations of lineage, but in community, we find unity with God. That community is found within the bond of our families, but it may be lost there as well. Our church communities nurture our family so that we may nurture one another. As we come together, we fulfill God's wish for us to love one another. It is our choice to seek to be in community with God's family or separate ourselves from it. Blessed are the families who seek the light of the Lord.

Peace and love be with you,
Nam Eno

mimiyu · Newbie Joined: Jan 31, 2011 Posts: 1 Status: **Offline**

Why is that Christian is the only tradition that loves each other, even the other religion.