The Christian Family

God's Book has very much to say to Christian fathers and mothers, and to their children. First, the Bible says that when a Christian man wants to marry, he must ask God to give him a good Christian wife. A good wife is the same as a wonderful gift from God because she will do him good and not evil all of his life. God says a Christian man should marry only one wife and stay with her. He cannot put her away and take another wife. He must love her and look after her the same as himself. He must help her with heavy work because he is the stronger of the two. The man and wife must talk together about everything regarding their family, work, and money. They must not hold anger in their hearts one against the other. The man must pray with his wife each day and ask God to help them, bless them, and guide them in His ways.

Secondly, the Bible has words, too, for the Christian wife. She must do her work well. She must look after her house, her husband, and her children. She must teach her children the words of the Bible and pray with them. Afterwards her children will honor (lift up) her name. Her husband, too, will speak highly of his wife when she fears God. The Christian wife must love her husband and obey his words. She cannot think of another man. She must be true to her husband. She can help the sick people. The poor people she can give good, and help the old people by giving them firewood and water. Her talk must be true. She must not talk cross or go about gossiping. Her life must always honor her Father in heaven.

Thirdly, the Bible has words for the Christian parents, and their children, too. Children are a gift from God. The Christian father and mother must give their children back to God in the same way as when Samuel and Jesus were given to God. When a child is young, he is able to love God very much. Jesus said, "Let the little children come unto Me. Do not hold them back." The father and mother must follow God truly so that their children will see their good ways and learn them, too. You must never teach them to sin or fear the spirits. Children must obey their parents. When they are naughty (wrong), the father or mother should spank them. God says not to be troubled about their crying. This is to teach them what is wrong and to know what is right. Afterwards the parents can pray with the child. This will help them want to stop doing what is wrong.

God says, "Teach a young child the straight paths. Then when he grows up he will not go in the crooked ways." Following God's teaching brings happiness and peace into our families (homes).