Posts Tagged ‘family’
Do We Cut Ties with Family Members Who Are Not Members of the Church?
Question: Hello Sir, I have a question that maybe you can help me to understand. I attend a Church of Christ, and in my youngest daughter’s Bible class, she is being told we must cut off contact with family members who are not members of the church. I have two older children who are off…
Read MoreHow do we protect our children from unsafe relatives?
Question: Hello, My husband and I recently found out we are expecting our first child, and with that comes great responsibility, as we want to raise our children to love the Lord. We have been talking about a couple of individuals on my husband’s side who cause us a great deal of stress (because of…
Read MoreCan my father lay a curse on me?
Question: Good evening, sir, I have a question. I have obeyed my father, which is my responsibility as his son. He usually cared for the house, providing everything when my mum was alive. Now that my mum is dead, he no longer takes care of the family; two 17-year-old children are now far away from the…
Read MoreHow should a church handle a significant event?
Question: Greetings Brother Hamilton, I trust your worship service went well today. Please, I need your guidance on these matters: What can the church do when someone in the church dies? How should the church go about it? I need a procedure. In other words, how can the church take responsibility? Child Birth: How can…
Read MoreNames for God’s People
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Names-for-Gods-People.mp3 Download Audio by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Isaiah 62:1-5 I. Names hold a particular significance in the Bible A. When a child is born in this country, parents agonize on picking out just the right name. 1. Often the name is selected because it has a nice “ring” to it 2. Because a favorite relative has the…
Read MorePreacher’s Kid
by Doy Moyer I grew up a PK (preacher’s kid). This presents its own challenges for youth. The youngest of the children won’t think anything about it, but as we grow, we are often reminded that how we behave reflects on mom and dad, and … remember that dad is a preacher (the same goes…
Read MoreHow do I teach my family?
Question: Good day, Minister, I have been subscribed to La Vista Church of Christ emails for a while now, and I’ve really benefitted from it. But now I have a problem of my own. I’m the youngest child of several siblings, and my siblings are all boys. I turned 18 recently, but I became a…
Read MoreOne Reason Congregations Fail
by Perry Hall Why are congregations failing? If one answer can be given, groups rely on man’s wisdom rather than God’s. An example of this faulty thinking is found in the eldership. A common model for choosing elders and how these elders “rule” is the business model. The misaligned thinking is if they are successful…
Read MoreThe Collision Between Homosexuality and Christianity
by Dennis Abernathy The agenda of the LGBTQ is to redefine the family. Bumper stickers are seen all over that say: “Burn the Binary.” What does that mean? It means to destroy the distinction between man and woman or male and female. Apparently, such foolishness is making inroads in our culture, since more and more…
Read MoreThe Changing American Household
Source: Nathan Yau, “Change in Common Household Types in the U.S.,” FlowingData.com “In the 1970s, the most common household type in the U.S. was a married couple with kids. But over time, as people wait longer to get married and have fewer kids (if any), it’s grown more common to live alone or with non-family.” In 1976, 37%…
Read MoreOld Tricks From Satan’s Playbook
by Austin Hausner “Is there a thing of which it is said, ‘See, this is new’? It has been already in the ages before us” (Ecclesiastes 1:10). Solomon reminds us that there is nothing new. This is important to remember because many things that people say are new are actually the same old tricks repackaged…
Read MoreThe Home Place
by Jefferson David Tant The scene comes clearly to my mind’s eye even now. After crossing the mighty Mississippi at Vicksburg, we knew there were only 150 miles to the little town of Haynesville, Louisiana, and “the old home place.” “Home” is one of the sweet and dear words from the heart. This home was…
Read MoreWhat can be done about a family that constantly fights with each other?
Question: Hello, my brothers and sisters, How should family disputes or arguments be dealt with when the family members are Christians? A certain family at my congregation have arguments about how they talk to each other, not being patient with one another, hurting each other’s feelings, yelling, etc. I know this because one of the…
Read MoreBlack Lives Matter Statement
by Jefferson David Tant There is much turmoil and violence taking place in our nation over the racial problems that have become prominent in recent months. The “Black Lives Matter” movement has taken a leading role in discussions, demonstrations, and even violence in many places, including the murder of a woman who said “All lives…
Read MoreHow do we handle our son’s birth father’s recent contact?
Question: Good afternoon Brother Hamilton, First of all, I want to thank you for your wonderful service in maintaining such a great resource for us to learn from. Your website has truly helped and aided me in my Christian walk. I am a sister in Christ. Let me give you some background. My husband and…
Read MoreShould newlyweds live with his parents?
Question: Good evening, My boyfriend and I are both members of the Lord’s church and both very faithful. We have been courting a number of months and have talked bout the future of marriage. I am so nervous about marriage because it is such a big decision and neither of us believes in divorce. We…
Read MoreShould I just leave my family problems behind?
Question: Hi, I’ve been trying to figure out what I should do with my mom. We aren’t in good terms for almost two years now due to some differences we have in life and decision making. Last year, I decided to move out and want to live independently since I don’t think she really cares…
Read MoreHow do I handle an out-of-control nephew?
Question: I have a family problem I would like advice on. Several years ago, my nephew forged my mother’s name as a co-signer on some student loan documents. Throughout the years he paid very sporadically. Meanwhile, he married and had a family. He had trouble staying employed. Throughout the years my elderly mother has had…
Read MoreCan I marry my brother’s ex-girlfriend?
Question: Dear sir, I must commend you for the wonderful work you are doing in assisting people with important answers using the Bible. I have a girlfriend whom I love so much and I plan to marry. The problem I have is that she and my younger brother once dated and had oral sex before…
Read MoreWhat Is This Thing Called Love?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/What-Is-this-Thing-Called-Love.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Song of Solomon 8:6-7 I. We use the word “love” freely today. Perhaps too freely. A. I love to have another piece of cake. B. Mama loves her baby. C. He fell in love with her at first sight. D. He loved her through fifty yeas of marriage. E. I love my country. II. The…
Read MoreHow do we deal with homosexual family members?
Question: My husband’s sister is homosexual and is living with a partner. My son’s wife is best friends with a homosexual woman who is married to another woman. As a Christian who believes that everything Christ taught and everything the Bible says is true, I know this is wrong. My question is this, I love…
Read MoreI’m still having problems getting along with my stepmother
Question: I wrote to you a while ago when my dad and my stepmother had just married because I wasn’t sure what my new relationship with her should be. You gave me a kind and helpful response and I am sorry I never replied to say thank you for that. I would like to say…
Read MoreShould I attend a birthday party where people involved in sin will be?
Question: What would you do if going to a family birthday with people you love a lot meant you would be around a gay couple? Half of our family are not Christians and will say we are too judgmental. Answer: “Then it happened that as Jesus was reclining at the table in the house, behold,…
Read MoreThe Effect of Family Instability
Source: Sydney Briggs, “Family Instability and Children’s Social Development,” Child Trends, 7 Aug 2019. “Family stability can promote positive social behavior in children and adolescents, while instability is associated with social maladjustment, including behaviors such as aggression toward peers, teachers, or parents.” “Adolescents whose mothers were married at birth had higher social competence and lower…
Read MoreHow do I deal with my brother-in-law dating my husband’s ex-girlfriend?
Question: Good day, I need godly advice from you. Before I married my husband, he once dated a girl for a few months. They had sexual intercourse with each other one time. All this happened several years ago. My husband and I have been married for a few years now. He is a very truthful…
Read MoreHow do I honor my stepmother and accept her?
Question: How do I honor my stepmother and accept her? What are our places now in the family? I am just looking around in all sorts of places for answers, so I hope this is something that is appropriate to ask you. Recently my family has grown as my dad has remarried. My mother passed…
Read MoreMy sister-in-law stopped talking to me and I don’t know why
Question: Hello sir, I have a question about family problems. I have a sister-in-law who cannot stand me for no other reason from what I can gather than jealousy. I’ll try to explain. She deleted me from social media recently and cut off communication between us. I noticed and right away I called her to…
Read MoreShould I have said something when I saw my sister and her boyfriend laying on her bed?
Question: My sister was in her room with her boyfriend, laying on her bed. I accidentally saw them when I let the dog into the room. I think I made a mistake by closing the door again. Should I say something, or is this okay? I feel like even though nothing might happen, it could…
Read MoreMy son is no longer attending church, so is it wrong to pick up my grandchildren?
Question: If my son is baptized but not attending, and my daughter-in-law is not baptized, is it wrong to pick up my grandchildren? Answer: Be careful not to blame kids for their parents’ sins. You seem to be mixing your son’s disobedience as if it was also your grandchildren’s. Each person is responsible for his…
Read MoreMy husband’s family is denying him a traditional marriage
Question: I have been having this dilemma and do not know how else to proceed. My fiancé and I had a civil marriage with the consent of both parents. A year later we were to have a traditional wedding (as I am African) and then a church ceremony. Long story short, my fiancé’s parents withdrew…
Read MoreDo we allow our child to visit his grandparents who have left the church?
Question: My wife and I have a child that we want to grow to be a faithful member of the Lord’s church. His grandparents were once in the Lord’s church but left and now attend a Pentecostal church. Is it wrong for us to keep him from his grandparents because of their religious beliefs? Answer:…
Read MoreIs getting married and having children selfish?
Question: Hello! I truly appreciate your dedication to assisting people with their questions. It has been a blessing to my life. I have a few questions for you that I wasn’t able to find on your website. If you wouldn’t mind answering them, here they are: Is getting married selfish since it takes away our…
Read MoreMy mother died before the final papers concerning her estate could be signed. Should I fight my sister to make sure that our parents’ wishes are carried out?
Question: Our family recently lost our mother and father. My dad knew their time was short and was trying to get his affairs in order before he passed but wasn’t able to do so. My mother was suffering from Alzheimer’s and passed a few short months after daddy. There was a trust made up by…
Read MoreHow do you handle in-laws who are evil toward your child?
Question: What do you do in a situation when your in-laws are evil toward your child because they don’t like you? They take it out on her — nice one minute and evil demonic the next — even using profanity and bodily harm against her, and all you say is “I’ll pray for you.” Answer:…
Read MoreMy nephew spends everything he makes and is always begging for money to pay bills. What do I do?
Question: I read your article on giving. Someone asked and you gave a lot of discussion around widows and orphans and want versus need. I have family members who look for ways not to work but continually seek help from us. My nephew and his wife do not go to church. My nephew was raised in…
Read MoreShould I go to a Thanksgiving dinner hosted by my homosexual sister?
Question: My sister is homosexual and before that, she was baptized but turned her back on God and now is “married” to another woman. Am I allowed to go visit with her like when she holds family dinners and things? Or where exactly do we draw the line? I have some family that says I’m…
Read MoreSince I don’t get along with a family member, can I forgive him, move away, and never talk to him again?
Question: Say if I did not get along with a family member. If I forgive him, can I separate myself from him, like move away from him, and never speak to him again? Answer: Can you move? Of course! Once you are an adult you can live wherever you like. Now, that means you are taking…
Read MoreDoes God hate people born outside of their parents’ marriage?
Question: Does God hate people born outside of their parents’ marriage? Answer: Absolutely not! There has been confusion due to a passage in the Old Law: “No one of illegitimate birth shall enter the assembly of the LORD; none of his descendants, even to the tenth generation, shall enter the assembly of the LORD” (Deuteronomy…
Read MoreCan I marry my brother’s ex-girlfriend?
Question: Dear Sir, I appreciate your website and how deep and rich your answers to pertinent questions have helped to shape people’s lives. I have been dating a lady who was once dating my younger brother. They were both in the same church, and they dated as believers with the consciousness to keep the relationship…
Read MoreShould I marry the woman my brother once slept with?
Question: First of all may God bless you for this site. I committed fornication for the first time when I was at the age of 21 years. Since then I have not been able to control myself from fornication. I always have regretted doing it. I want to stop it, but I can’t. The more…
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