Iasked three doctoral students—from left, Patricia Sibley, Dickson Chan and EdShyu—in a seminar on family issues to share with my readers three Biblepassages that talk about family basics. Here’s what they recommended:

Ephesians 5:21

“Submit yourselves toone another out of reverence for Christ.”

Jobfeared the Lord. He portrayed the righteousness of God. The fear of the Lordlays the foundations of godly family relationships. Job taught his children theword of God. He prayed for them and asked forgiveness for them. He fulfilledthe roles of the priest, prophet, protector, and provider of his home.

Deuteronomy 6:6–9

“ These words I am commanding you todaymust be kept in mind, and you must teach them to your children and speak ofthem as you sit in your house, as you walk along the road, as you lie down, andas you get up. You should tie them as a reminder on your forearm and fastenthem as symbols on your forehead. Inscribethem on the doorframes of your houses and gates.”

TheBook of Deuteronomy commands us to keep the word of the Lord in our hearts andin our minds. So, therefore we teach our children intentionally at all timesand everywhere and with all means. The teaching should be remembered andmodeled daily. We are to write [God’s words] as a visual reminder. Our lives becomea living word of God. The word becomes flesh through our lives.

Psalm 127

If the Lord does notbuild a house,

then those who build itwork in vain.

If the Lord does notguard a city,

then the watchman standsguard in vain.

It is vain for you torise early, come home late,

and work so hard foryour food.

Yes, he can provide forthose whom he loves even when they sleep.

Yes, sons are a giftfrom the Lord,

the fruit of the womb isa reward.

Sons born during one’syouth

are like arrows in awarrior’s hand.

 How blessed is the man who fills his quiverwith them!

They will not be put toshame when they confront enemies at the city gate.

God is the L ORD of allfamilies, providing for them and protecting them. He is the master builder ofthe home. Children are God’s gift to us to be good stewards of. We are to trainthem up and send them out for the work of the Lord and for his glory. 

Godis the LORD of all families,providing for them and protecting them. He is the master builder of the home.Children are God’s gift to us to be good stewards of. We are to train them upand send them out for the work of the Lord and for his glory (Psalm 127).