LESSON 14 - Family

• The Church describes the identity and mission of every Christian family in three ways:

  1.) As a covenant relationship

  2.) A domestic church

  3.) The first and vital cell of society
• Love - is the very essence of a family.
• Sacrament of Matrimony – this “forever” kind of love is professed and celebrated.
• Covenant Relationship - We are called to share within our families is patterned after God’s own love for us, a love that is self-sacrificing, life-giving, and others-centered.
• Domestic Church - is an ancient expression that tells us that parents “by word and example are the first heralds of the faith with regard to their children."
• Family - is the most basic community upon which society builds itself.
• First and Vital cell of society - It is where a persons are nurtured and

  trained to become good and productive members of society.
• St. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians reminds us that the fourth commandment is the first commandment that bears a promise.
• Family - Core of our identity.
• Fourth Commandment - Honor your father and your Mother
• Obstacles to Honoring our parents:

  • Parents who are abusive or neglectful of their duties.
  • Generation Gap.
  • Natural Process of growing up.