The importance of family has been stressed over and over again in the Bible. The Ten Commandments given to Moses in the Old Testament speaks about children honoring their parents.
Scripture teaching on family in the Old Testament
“Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee” (Exodus 20:12). That is the only commandment that comes with a blessing attached.
The book of Proverbs also has a lot of teaching about the relationship between family members: “A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke … A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just” (Proverbs 13:1, 22).
“A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent […] A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother” (Proverbs 15:5, 20).
Scripture teaching on family in the New Testament
Paul the apostle also spoke a lot about family relationships, he wrote, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:1–4).
In the Bible, we read about the blessings that God has promised his children when they know and obey gospel truths: “If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne forevermore” (Psalm 132:12).
Jesus cared for his earthly family
Jesus cared for His family members, especially His mother, Mary. Even when He was on the cross, Jesus Christ showed concern for His mother’s care: “When Jesus, therefore, saw his mother and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home” (John 19:26–27).
Jesus Christ taught that serving others is the same as serving Him: “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:40). Serving your family members can help you become more like Jesus Christ and increase the love in your home.
We must spend time studying the word of God together as a family to find greater insight on family and life. The Bible teaches, “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house” (Deuteronomy 6:6–7).