By Siegfred Rupert Baylon

The family is the basic unit of society but it plays a very important role in building an individual person, ultimately contributing towards the building up of a whole nation – and the whole world.

Today, while many enjoy the shelter and security of a happy home there are still a huge number of people who live with the pain of a broken home or worse, no family at all. How do we build and preserve our families these days? What does the Word of God say about family matters?

Mr. Sotero Angelito, Jr., senior pastor of Jesus Christ the Rock Fellowship says that the Word of God has the power to hold and keep a family. As a father of two boys and a girl, Pastor Angelito believes that a family that prays and reads the Word of God together keeps their relationship tight. After many years of parenting, their children are now enjoying their own families guided by the truth of God’s Word.

As a parent, Mr. Bert Del Fonso – who has two daughters – says that if parents will only follow God’s Word as their basis in building up a family, then there would be no broken homes, ruined young lives and shattered spirits.

Gods’ Word also has a vital role in keeping a marriage harmonious and in the upbringing of their two daughters, according to Ferdinand and Maricel Cristo. Since 1989, Ferdie and his family has learned to trust God and His Word believing that it gives them the strength in facing any problems and trials that come their way.

For Ptr. Jesse Dedel of Word for the World church, the Word of God is an essential component in the establishment and maintaining of the family unit. He believes that the family is the primary institution established by God during Creation. God reveals himself as a Father and calls anyone who believes in Jesus as His son or children and therefore to the worldwide body of believers as His family.

The del Fonsos, Dedels, Cristos, and Angelitos are just four of the families who have found stability in God’s Word. Like them, you too can brave and survive the storms of life together if you make the Bible a foundation of the family.

Here are some suggestions on how you can integrate God’s Word in the family:

-Set aside a family devotion time every day (15-30 minutes will do).

-Pray for each of the member of your family regularly.

-Read the Bible together (e.g. during the family mealtime).

-Memorize with the family at least one verse a week.