relationships and families

Question 1

what does the bible say about the role and purpose of families?

Answer 1

Christianity teaches:

• God has provided families to develop loving and respectful relationships
• family should offer a place for the nurture + disciplining of children
• parents required to respect children + children to honour their parents
• the bible shows model of a family consisting of a mother, a father and children - family is where children can be brought up with christian values + understanding of faith
• demonstrated through Christian practice of infant baptism + confirmation

Question 2

what are Christian teachings on the role and purpose of the Christian family?

Answer 2

• church of england recommends every diocese should encourage its parishes to run courses in marriage preparation + parenting to strengthen family life
• catechism of catholic church reminds believers of the central importance of families in society saying it is “the original cell of social life”
• christianity teaches the value of fidelity in a marriage - not committing to adultery - helps to protect stability of the family unit

Question 3

quotes for families?

Answer 3

• “be fruitful and multiply”
• “fathers, do not provoke your children to anger”
• “honour your father and your mother”

Question 4

what are Christian attitudes towards marriage?

Answer 4

• majority of churches - inc, Anglican church, the catholic church + methodist church teach that marriage should take place only between man + woman
• Christian marriage in these churches excludes same-sex marriage
• Christianity teaches that marriage evidence of spiritual unity that occurs between a couple
• promises made between couple during marriage services are for life + should not be broken
• vows during Christian marriage service are between man + woman getting married as well as with god
• through prayer could ask for god’s blessing + his presence in the marriage relationship is believed to make it stronger

Question 5

what are christian attiudes towards the purpose of marriage?

Answer 5

CofE teaches marriage offers three blessings:

• the procreation and the nurture of children
• the correct place for sexual relations
• help and comfort during all aspects of life
• through marriage, each person is able to learn patience and forgiveness + can offer this to others in wider society
• Christian marriage should reflect Christ’s love for the church - christ is forever committed to his people in church - just like married couple - promised to remain committed to one another until death
• christ also showed love for his people through sacrificial death on cross - same way couple should be prepared to love one another by not being selfish + considering needs of spouse

Question 6

when is marriage a sacrament

Answer 6

in the catholic and othodox churches marriage is a sacrament

Question 7

what is marriage service like in a catholic church

Answer 7

• CC believes marriage create a unique unbreakable bond between couple - understood to be indissoluble
• in CC both people being married must be baptised and one of the couple must be catholic
• as a sacrament - marriage brings god’s grace to couple in unique way - gods grace through this helps each spouse maintain fidelity & be good parents
• weddings in a CC often include a nuptial mass & couple may be involved as ministers of the sacrament - bringing bread and wine to altar
• active role in sacrament - saying of vows & following of liturgy all help direct couples thoughts to god & his action through marriage ceremony