The quickest way for a politician to get elected today is to stand on the "Family First" platform. It seems that many only support this platform when it suits them. God has always been "pro-family", and Christians should be no less so. Let's see what the Bible has to say about the family unit:
 
 

LUKE 14.26

COME TO ME, AND HATE [not ORGE, WHICH is MENTAL ATTITUDE SIN, but MISEO, WHICH MEANS TO LOVE LESS]

NOT HIS FATHER, AND MOTHER, AND WIFE, AND CHILDREN, AND BRETHREN, AND SISTERS, YEA AND HIS OWN LIFE ALSO, HE CANNOT BE MY DISCIPLE [MATHETES, STUDENT, LEARNER, PUPIL]"

As Christians we are never to love our family above our Father in Heaven. God must always be first in our lives, though we must love the families that He has given us next. We must particularly love our spouses, as we see next:

1 CORINTHIANS 7.1-9

A WOMAN. NEVERTHELESS to avoid FORNICATION [DIA DE TAS PORNEIAS, BECAUSE OF THE FORNICATIONS],

LET EVERY MAN HAVE [PRESENT ACTIVE IMPERATIVE ECHO, KEEP ON HAVING AND HOLDING]

HIS OWN WIFE, AND LET EVERY WOMAN HAVE [PRESENT ACT IMPERATIVE ECHO, KEEP ON HAVING AND HOLDING]

HER OWN HUSBAND. LET THE HUSBAND RENDER [APODIDOMAI, PRESENT ACTIVE IMPERATIVE, GIVE FROM AN ULTIMATE SOURCE OF SELF CONTINUALLY]

UNTO THE WIFE DUE BENEVOLENCE [OPHEILEN, WHAT IS OWED, THE DEBT THAT IS DUE],

AND LIKEWISE ALSO THE WIFE UNTO THE HUSBAND. THE WIFE HATH NOT POWER [OUK EXOUSIA = HAS NO AUTHORITY]

OF HER OWN BODY, BUT THE HUSBAND: AND LIKEWISE ALSO THE HUSBAND HATH NOT POWER [OUK EXOUSIA = HAS NO AUTHORITY]

OF HIS OWN BODY, BUT THE WIFE. DEFRAUD [APOSTEREO, PRESENT ACTIVE IMPERATIVE, DEPRIVE FROM ThE ULTIMATE SOURCE OF SELF HABITUALLY. REFERENCE TO CUTTING OFF SEXUALLY OR OTHERWISE]

YE NOT ONE THE OTHER, EXCEPT IT BE WITH CONSENT [ON THE PART OF BOTH PARTIES]

FOR A TIME, THAT YE MAY GIVE YOURSELVES TO fasting and PRAYER; AND COME TOGETHER AGAIN [IN SEXUAL INTERCOURSE],

THAT SATAN TEMPT YOU NOT FOR YOUR INCONTINENCE [AKRAISIA, SELF RESTRAINT].

BUT I SPEAK THIS BY PERMISSION [OUGGNOMEN, BY PERMISSION OR CONCESSION. WHAT CAME BEFORE THIS WAS GOD'S COMMANDMENT, WHAT COMES AFTER IS PAUL'S WISDOM ONLY],

NOT OF COMMANDMENT. FOR I WOULD THAT ALL MEN WERE EVEN AS I MYSELF. BUT EVERY MAN HATH HIS PROPER GIFT OF GOD, ONE AFTER THIS MANNER [POSSIBLY A REFERENCE TO THE GIFT OF CELIBACY, GIVEN BY GOD TO SOME MEN AND WOMEN],

AND ANOTHER AFTER THAT. I SAY THEREFORE TO THE UNMARRIED AND WIDOWS, IT IS GOOD FOR THEM IF THEY ABIDE EVEN AS I. BUT IF [FIRST CLASS EAN, IF AND IT'S TRUE]

THEY CANNOT CONTAIN [EGKRATEUONTAI, PRESENT LINEAR, CANNOT HABITUALLY CONTROL THEMSELVES],

LET THEM MARRY: FOR IT IS BETTER TO MARRY THAN TO BURN [PUROUSTHAI, BURN WITH SENSUAL LUST. THIS WOULD KEEP THE BELIEVER OUT OF FELLOWSHIP]. "

1 CORINTHIANS 7.10-16

YET NOT I, BUT THE LORD, LET NOT THE WIFE DEPART FROM HER HUSBAND: BUT AND IF SHE DEPART [CHORISTHE, TO BECOME SEPARATED],

LET HER REMAIN [MENETO, PRESENT ACTIVE IMPERATIVE, KEEP ON REMAINING]

UNMARRIED, OR BE RECONCILED [KATALLAGOTO, AORIST PASSIVE IMPERATIVE. THE PASSIVE VOICE NOTES THAT THE WOMAN SHOULD RECEIVE THE ACTION OF RECONCILIATION, FOR AS THE SUBJECT, THE WOMAN IS STILL THE RESPONDER. THE WIFE WAS SPECIFICALLY PICKED FOR THE SUBJECT BECAUSE, THOUGH NEITHER MAN NOR WOMAN SHOULD BREAK UP THE UNBELIEVING MARRIAGE, WOMAN IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN TO DO SO]

TO HER HUSBAND: AND LET NOT THE HUSBAND PUT AWAY [APHIENAI, DIVORCE]

HIS WIFE. BUT TO THE REST SPEAK I, NOT THE LORD [PAUL'S NOT SAYING THAT THE FOLLOWING IS HIS OWN OPINION. HE'S SAYING THAT JESUS NEVER TAUGHT THE FOLLOWING IN HIS EARTHLY MINISTRY, AND WHAT FOLLOWS IS NEW REVELATION FOR THE BELIEVERS AT CORINTH. SEE VERSE 6. REVELATION IS ALWAYS PROGRESSIVE. SEE JOHN 16.12-13];

IF ANY BROTHER HATH A WIFE THAT BELIEVETH NOT, AND SHE BE PLEASED TO DWELL WITH HIM, LET HIM NOT PUT HER AWAY [APHIENAI, DIVORCE HER. THE WOMAN IS IN A GOOD SITUATION WITH THE MAN, AND IS RESPONDING TO HIM. TO DIVORCE HER WOULD PERHAPS CUT HER OFF FROM SALVATION.]

AND THE WOMAN WHICH HATH AN HUSBAND THAT BELIEVETH NOT, AND IF HE BE PLEASED TO DWELL WITH HER, LET HER NOT LEAVE HIM [APHIETO = DIVORCE HIM].

FOR THE UNBELIEVING HUSBAND IS SANCTIFIED [HAGIASTAI, FROM HAGIAZO. IN EACH CASE THE PERFECT PASSIVE INDICATIVE, LIT. SEPARATED IN THE PAST UNTO GOD WITH PERMANENT CONTINUING RESULTS]

BY THE WIFE, AND THE UNBELIEVING WIFE IS SANCTIFIED [HAGIASTAI, FROM HAGIAZO. IN EACH CASE THE PERFECT PASSIVE INDICATIVE, LIT. SEPARATED IN THE PAST UNTO GOD WITH PERMANENT CONTINUING RESULTS]

BY THE HUSBAND: ELSE WERE YOUR CHILDREN UNCLEAN [AKATHARTOS, CEREMONIALLY SEPARATED FROM GOD, CEREMONIALLY UNCLEAN]

BUT NOW ARE THEY HOLY [HAGIASTAI, FROM HAGIAZO, PERFECT PASSIVE INDICATIVE, SEPARATED UNTO GOD IN THE PAST WITH CONTINUING RESULTS].

BUT IF THE UNBELIEVING DEPART [CHORIZETAI, PRESENT MIDDLE IMPERATIVE, DIVORCES YOU PERMANENTLY THROUGH NO FAULT OF YOURS ..THE MIDDLE VOICE],

LET HIM DEPART. A BROTHER OR A SISTER IS NOT UNDER BONDAGE [OUK DEDOULOTAI. SEE ROMANS 7.1-6 WHERE SAME CONSTRUCTION IS USED. IT IS AS IF THE ONE WHO DEPARTED IS DEAD SO THAT YOU ARE FREE FROM THE MARRIAGE TO REMARRY]

IN SUCH CASES: BUT GOD HATH CALLED US TO PEACE [I.E. MAKE SURE YOU DON'T CAUSE THIS TO HAPPEN].

FOR WHAT KNOWEST THOU, O WIFE, WHETHER THOU SHALT SAVE THY HUSBAND? OR HOW KNOWEST THOU, O MAN, WHETHER THOU SHALT SAVE TRY WIFE?

EPHESIANS 5.22-33

YOURSELVES UNTO YOUR OWN HUSBANDS, AS [RELATIVE PRONOUN HOS, JUST LIKE, AS]

UNTO THE LORD [KURIOS, GOD. REFERENCE TO JESUS CHRIST].

FOR THE HUSBAND IS THE HEAD [KEPHALE = HEAD OF THE BODY, HEAD AS CONTROLLER, LEADER]

OF THE WIFE, EVEN AS CHRIST IS THE HEAD [KEPHALE = HEAD OF THE BODY, HEAD AS CONTROLLER, LEADER]

OF THE CHURCH: AND HE IS THE SAVIOR OF THE BODY. THEREFORE AS THE CHURCH IS SUBJECT [HUPOTASSO, PRESENT TENSE, KEEPS ON BEING SUBORDINANT TO]

UNTO CHRIST, SO LET THE WIVES BE TO THEIR OWN HUSBANDS IN EVERYTHING [EN PANTI, COMPOUNDED PAS + TIS, IN ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING].

HUSBANDS, LOVE [AGAPATE, PRESENT ACTIVE IMPERATIVE, KEEP ON LOVING AND DOING THE HIGHEST GOOD FOR]

YOUR WIVES, EVEN AS CHRIST ALSO LOVED THE CHURCH, AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR IT; THAT HE MIGHT SANCTIFY IT AND CLEAN IT WITH THE WASHING OF WATER [REFERENCE TO THE HOLY SPIRIT'S ACTION OF REGENERATION. SEE JOHN 4.10-15]

BY THE WORD. THAT HE MIGHT PRESENT IT TO HIMSELF A GLORIOUS CHURCH, NOT HAVING SPOT OR WRINKLE, OR ANY SUCH THING; BUT THAT IT SHOULD BE HOLY [HAGIOS, SEPARATED UNTO GOD]

AND WITHOUT BLEMISH. SO OUGHT MEN TO LOVE THEIR WIVES AS THEIR OWN BODIES. HE THAT LOVETH HIS WIFE LOVETH HIMSELF. FOR NO MAN EVER YET HATED HIS OWN FLESH; BUT NOURESHETH [TO FEED]

IT AND CHERISHETH [TO CARESS, TAKE CARE OF]

IT, EVEN AS THE LORD THE CHURCH: FOR WE ARE MEMBERS OF HIS BODY, OF HIS FLESH, AND OF HIS BONES FOR THIS CAUSE SHALL A MAN LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER, AND SHALL BE JOINED [PROSKOLLETHESEETAI, TO MATE WITH, TO JOIN TOGETHER WITH IN THE ACT OF MARRIAGE]

UNTO HIS WIFE, AND THEY TWO SHALL BE ONE [HEBREW ECHAD, A COMPOUND UNITY]

FLESH. THIS IS A GREAT MYSTERY, BUT I SPEAK CONCERNING CHRIST AND THE CHURCH. NEVERTHELESS LET EVERY ONE OF YOU IN PARTICULAR SO LOVE HIS WIFE EVEN AS HIMSELF; AND THE WIFE SEE THAT SHE REVERENCE [PHOBETAI, TO HAVE REVERENTIAL FEAR OR AWE FOR. THE SAME WORD USED IN OUR ATTITUDE TOWARD GOD.]

HER HUSBAND."

EPHESIANS 6.1-4

OBEY [HUPAKOUO, -HUPO = UNDER + AKOUO = HEAR. TO LISTEN ATTENTIVELY TO THE TEACHINGS OF. LISTEN UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF]

YOUR PARENTS IN THE LORD: FOR THIS IS RIGHT [DIKAIOS, THAT WHICH IS RIGHTEOUS OR DECREED BY GOD].

HONOUR THY FATHER AND MOTHER; WHICH IS THE FIRST COMMANDMENT WITH PROMISE [EPAGGELIA, A LEGAL TERM DENOTING A CONTRACT, SUMMONS, OR PROMISE. OUT OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (BASIC MORAL CODE OF ISRAEL), ONLY THIS COMMANDMENT GAVE A BUILT IN PROMISE OR COVENANT FROM GOD (EXODUS 20.12). IN THIS COMMANDMENT GOD PROMISED THAT IF THE CHILDREN OBEYED THEIR PARENTS, HONORING THEM, THAT GOD WOULD ACTUALLY EXTEND THEIR LIFE IN THE LAND OF CANAAN.]

THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH THEE, AND THOU MAY LIVEST LONG ON THE EARTH. AND YE FATHERS, PROVOKE NOT YOUR CHILDREN TO WRATH [PARORGIZO, ANGER ALONGSIDE, UNCONTROLLABLE RAGE FROM PROVOCATION]:

BUT BRING THEM UP IN THE NURTURE AND ADMONITION [NOUTHESIA, TRAINING BY ENCOURAGEMENT, REPROOF, OR DISCIPLINE. IT ALSO INVOLVES CORRECTION BY DEED OR PHYSICAL PUNISHMENT AS WELL. IT'S COUNTERPART, PAIDEIA, MEANS ONLY TO PUNISH PHYSICALLY]

OF THE LORD.

The father is mentioned in the last part of this text because, as the head of the household, he is to be the main disciplinarian as far as the children are concerned. Children can be driven to rage when the father fails to follow Scriptural standards of discipline within the family.

PROVERB 13.24

HATETH HIS SON: BUT HE THAT LOVETH HIM CHASTENETH HIM BETIMES [SHACHAR, FROM EARLY. REFERS TO AN EARLY AGE].

1. Though you may not hate your child, Scripturally, if you fail to discipline him for his misdeeds you lead him to believe that you hate him. An undisciplined child grows up believing that society has no rules (at least, no rules as they apply to him). If this idea is deeply seated in his unconsciousness he may turn to criminal activity as an adult.
2. Children are to be disciplined from an early age. How early? As soon as the child can understand the basic concepts of right and wrong, good and evil, yes and no, discipline should be started. Should you paddle a baby? No, use your common sense. The difference between discipline and child abuse is whether the act teaches the child the error of his ways, and most importantly, why was it wrong. Never use physical punishment to vent anger: this is ungodly, evil, and does more harm than good.

PROVERB 19.18

FOR HIS CRYING [MUWTH, TO DIE .... LITERALLY LAST PART OF THE TEXT, "LET NOT YOUR SOUL STOP (DISCIPLINING) FOR (OTHERWISE) HE MAY DIE"]

1. A child must be disciplined in order to prevent him from committing fatal acts. Most children cannot comprehend technical things such as electricity (though unseen, it will kill him), nor what an uncontrolled fire will do to a household and the humans in it. Animals have basic instincts to protect them from these things, but humans learn by experience. Sometimes, "No, don't do that" is just not enough to teach a child not to stick bare wires into electrical outlets. If you fail to discipline, you very inaction may kill the child!
2. Hope exists in teaching the child while he is still young. The older a person gets, the harder it is to teach proper behaviour patterns. If a pattern of discipline is established in the early years, the teenage years will go a whole lot smoother for both parents and children.

PROVERB 23.13-14

FROM THE CHILD: FOR IF THOU BEATEST [NAKAH, TO STRIKE SO AS TO HURT]

HIM WITH THE ROD [SHEBET, BRANCH, SWITCH]

HE SHALL NOT DIE. THOU SHALT BEAT [NAKAH, TO STRIKE SO AS TO HURT]

HIM WITH THE ROD [SHEBET, BRANCH, SWITCH],

AND SHALT DELIVER HIS SOUL FROM HELL [SHEOL, THE GRAVE].

1. As stated before, discipline actually extends the life of the child by teaching him to avoid dangerous situations and actions. Failure to discipline may lead to his untimely death.

PROVERB 22.15

1. Too often, particularly in today's society, we treat children as adults. Too often I hear liberals say, "You don't strike the one you love", or "No child has ever learned anything but pain from a spanking". We tend to want to reason with children like they are our experiential equals. This is stupid! Children are blank tapes, totally innocent and disregarding of the dangers around them. God directs that we punish our children, not with excessive harshness, but in such a way that we teach the difference between right and wrong behaviour. Once these lessons are instilled, the child, as he grows into adulthood, will benefit from what he was taught.

PROVERB 29.15

AND REPROOF [TOWKECHAH, REBUKING WITH THE PURPOSE OF CORRECTION IN MIND]

GIVE WISDOM: BUT A CHILD LEFT TO HIMSELF BRINGETH HIS MOTHER TO SHAME [BUWSH, MAKE ASHAMED OR DISGRACED]

1. Far too often I've seen tragic courtroom images of anguished parents on television begging for the lives of their children. Children who grew up and committed the most atrocious crimes, children who grew up to be the murderers, the rapists, the terrorists. As much as the parents protest against it, the fact is these children were raised up in permissive and undisciplined households, households that did not emphasize a right relationship with God. If our society would wipe out these heinous acts, the parents must take control while the child is still teachable!

1 TIMOTHY 3.4

WELL HIS OWN HOUSE, HAVING HIS CHILDREN IN SUBJECTION [HUPOTAGE, SUBORDINANT TO HIM]

WITH ALL GRAVITY [SEMNOTES, THE VIRTUE OF BALANCED MORAL CODES].

1. This passage gives the qualification for the Pastor of the Church. If a man can't govern his own children, then he is forbidden to be the Pastor.
2. The Pastor is to be the example for the Church. His example has to extend even to his children, or be disqualified from being in this position.

1 TIMOTHY 5.8

1. Part of the provision that man must make for his household is a stable code of discipline for his children. If you fail to provide for your family in all ways, then you are considered by God to be worse than an infidel.

1. Establish a pattern of discipline, then maintain that standard. If the child is told to do something and refuses to comply, then discipline immediately. Failure to discipline immediately and consistently confuses the child, and removes all benefits of the discipline.
2. Respect your children while disciplining them. Never humiliate, or discipline in public. Take the child to a private place to punish him.
3. Never apply the SHEBET in anger. Always cool off, and focus on the Divine reason for punishment of the child. You'll find that cool and deliberate punishment prevents parental abuse while correcting the child from a bad pathway.
4. Never yell at the child. The Scripture never condones screaming or psychological torture. Never use an imaginary "Bogey Man" to try and scare the child into behaving. Explain to the child exactly what he did wrong in simple, forceful terms (no cursing!), and the consequences of his continued disobedience. Yelling frightens the child, angers the child, and hurts your throat.
5. Don't immediately comfort the child after punishment, as this only confuses him. Send the child to a private place to reflect on his action and consequent punishment, then make it a point to go to him within an hour and explain that you still love him. Discipline should never be confused with hatred in the child's mind. Make certain that he understands that you disciplined because you loved him.
6. I always explained why the child was going to be punished before he was punished. Allow the child to give you feedback. Sometimes physical punishment is uncalled for. Sometimes what the child did was a result of bad communication on my part. Avoid unjust punishment, else you will cause him to hate you.
7. Always "Draw the line" in advance. Let the child clearly know what is and is not acceptable behaviour. Don't make him guess!
8. Never keep the child in suspense when discipline is warranted. The worst thing a parent can do is tell the child, "Just wait till your father gets home", and make him wait to be punished. Both parents should discipline, both parents should have the same standards of expected conduct. Never use "double jeopardy". If one parent has punished the child, then he's been punished! The other parent has no right, either before man or God, to punish the child again for the same offense. This is, and will always be, child abuse!
9. Parents should never, never have two different standards of discipline. Parents should sit down and discuss standards of imposed conduct before their first child is born. If one parent disciplines more readily than the other the child will regard the "quick to punish" parent as cruel while showing all demonstrative love toward the other parent. Divorces have started with less provocation.
10. Discipline must be consistent. If you punish the child severely one time, then lightly the next time he commits the same offense, you confuse him. If you treat one child harsher than you treat another, you establish hatred and jealousy between the two.
11. Be faithful in disciplining your child. If you promised to discipline for breaking a rule, follow through on your promise. Children are smart enough to take advantage of inconsistent parents.
12. Always, always demonstrate love toward your children just as certainly as you discipline. If the only time you touch your children is to spank them, you are a child abuser! Likewise, make sure you pay just as much attention to your children when they do right as you do when they do wrong. If you never pay attention to your children unless they misbehave, then they will misbehave to get your attention.
13. Above all, spend time with your children in the Scripture. Too few parents take time to teach their children the Bible. Too many parents send their children to Church, rather than go with them. Parenthood is hard but rewarding work. God must be first and foremost in your family if you expect to succeed as a parent.