Faith and Practice
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Part III: Friends Practices
Chapter 5-The Home
The family as an institution is essential to the maintenance of a godly and well ordered social structure. Careful attention should be given to the scriptural teaching of the home and its relationship (Ephesians 5 and 6).
Failure to practice mutual consideration and to search for divine guidance in all of the interests and problems of family life often destroys the cohesive power of love, causes the disruption of the home, and, in many instances, leads to divorce, against which Friends have maintained a strong testimony. The faithful fulfillment of the marriage covenant is essential to the welfare of the family, the proper nurture of children, and the strength of the social structure. Every effort should be made in the spirit of mutual forbearance and forgiveness to reconcile all differences arising in family life. Even in extreme situations the preservation of family unity is the better part of Christian integrity and practice. Homes should be testimonials to the grace of God in human relationships and, if established under the care of the church and continued in warm Christian fellowship, have great assurance of permanence and success.
Through the Sunday school, youth work, and camps, and the support and ministry of the church, we seek to support the family in the training of children to bring them to a personal faith in Jesus Christ. It is, however, primarily the responsibility of the parents to train their by concept and example to present themselves to God and to live a life which is pleasing to God by obedience to the instruction of Scripture and the direction of the Holy Spirit. In order to accomplish this important training, care must be given to regular times of special devotion, teaching, and prayer as families. Parents must also take heed that their example in word and action is such that the children will be led into a life of faith and obedience to God.
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