GOOD FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

SCRIPTURE READINGS1 SAMUEL 2:18-20,26COLOSSIANS 3:12-17LUKE 2:41-52 Good Family Relationships REFLECTION “Good Family Relationships” is the theme for our reflection today. A family is fundamentally defined as a group consisting of parents and their children living together as a unit, yet in a spiritual sense, it is the primary sanctuary where faith is nurtured. To be…

Jean-Paul Agidi

Dec 27, 2025

3–5 minutes

bible, christianity, faith, god, jesus

SCRIPTURE READINGS
1 SAMUEL 2:18-20,26
COLOSSIANS 3:12-17
LUKE 2:41-52

Good Family Relationships

REFLECTION

“Good Family Relationships” is the theme for our reflection today. A family is fundamentally defined as a group consisting of parents and their children living together as a unit, yet in a spiritual sense, it is the primary sanctuary where faith is nurtured. To be good, these relationships must be morally excellent, virtuous, and built upon a foundation of mutual respect. A relationship is the way in which two or more people are connected; thus, a “Good Family Relationship” is a divine connection that fosters unity through Christ. We shall discuss this theme in light of the following points:

The family cannot sustain good relationships until it established a relationship with God.
The Christian family must possess vital Biblical characteristics to maintain a healthy bond.

The Foundation: A Relationship with God

Firstly, if there are to be good family relationships, the family must prioritises its relationship with God. We observe Elkanah and Hannah maintaining such a profound connection with the Creator that they offered Samuel to serve the Lord in the Temple. Scripture records: “Samuel was ministering before the LORD—a boy wearing a linen ephod. Each year his mother made him a little robe and took it to him when she went up with her husband to offer the annual sacrifice” (1 Samuel 2:18-19). Similarly, Joseph and Mary in Luke 2:22-40 provide a sterling example of a family governed by divine devotion and consistency in bring up Jesus in the way of the Lord. We are told: “Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. ⁴² When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom…And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” (Luke 2:41-42,52).

Beloved in the Lord, we must urgently develop a relationship with God as a family by observing family worship at home and attending Church services together. We cannot truly experience good family relationships if parents are committed members of the Church while their children remain wayward or unbelieving. One of the greatest tragedies of a family is to have Christian parents who have raised worldly and rebellious children. Elkanah and Hannah, alongside Joseph and Mary, have illustrated the truth of Proverbs 22:6, which admonishes us to “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” It is sobering to note that many modern Christian parents have failed both their children and the Church by neglecting to ensure their children develop a strong bond with God at a tender age. In some instances, parents are devoted to one congregation while their children wander elsewhere. Doctrinal differences alone are enough to sow seeds of confusion and misunderstanding. We are encouraged to practice “one family, one faith, one Church, one fellowship, and one doctrine” so that the family may joyfully maintain its unity.

Secondly, for a family to experience truly flourishing relationships, specific characteristics must be visible, as captured in Colossians 3:12-17. These virtues are the hallmark of a healthy, Christ-centred home: forgiveness, love, seeking the peace of Christ for all, living by the Word of God, and maintaining a life of gratitude unto God in everything. These are the vital signs of a spiritually vibrant family.

My dear friend, if your home is currently filled with bitterness, hatred, quarrels, and divisions—if there is no time for the study of the Word because you are engrossed in the pleasures of the world—then it is time for a spiritual revival. A Christ-centred family is a happy and promising family. I recommend a timeless, tried, and tested principle to your household: “NO BIBLE, NO BREAKFAST.” A Biblically guided and sound family performs the will of God; parents take pride in their children, and children are happy to be disciplined and nurtured according to the standard of the Bible.

Conclusion

In conclusion, for a family to experience deep and fulfilling relationships, it must first be committed to a deep relationship with God. The family must embody the Biblical characteristics discussed above, to withstand the pressures of this world. May the Holy Spirit revive your family spiritually, transforming your home into a beacon of light for the future of the Church.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of family. We ask for Your forgiveness where we have failed to lead our households in Your way. Pour out Your Spirit upon our homes; heal every broken relationship, remove bitterness, and replace it with Your divine love. Help us to be parents and children who seek Your face daily. Establish our homes on the foundation of Your Word, that we may be united in faith and purpose. In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.