Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine…Your children like olive plants around your table.
– Psalm 128:3

Most people learned how to act in a family from their own family of origin, from the families of friends and others that they observed, or from the media. Certainly, the media provides the wrong example of what a family should be. If our concept of the family is limited to what we learned from our parents, we could be in deep trouble, or we could be set for life.

For example, godly parents usually teach their children godly principles. They make mistakes, but they’re committed to one another and to God.

On the other hand, when parents are abusive or neglectful, their sons and daughters often grow up to mirror their anger and frustration. Many adults who were abused as children wonder if they will do the same. However, the destructive behavior doesn’t have to be repeated. We can take control of our emotions and say no to sin.

When we’re set on living the way God wants us to live, we will have all we need to become men and women of godly character and faith. When we do this, there’s a good chance that our children will grow up to love God and will seek Him above all else. When He is first in our lives, everything else—including our family life—falls into place.

When He is first in our lives, everything else—including our family life—falls into place.

Check out more from Dr. Tony Evans @Tonyevans.org

About The Author

Dr. Tony Evans

Dr. Tony Evans is one of the country’s most respected leaders in evangelical circles. As a pastor, teacher, author and speaker, he serves the body of Christ through his unique ability to communicate complex theological truths through simple, yet profound, illustrations. While addressing the practical issues of today, Dr. Evans is known as a relevant expositor. New and veteran pastors alike regard him as a pastor of pastors and a father in the faith.


At the heart of this vision is the use of church and school partnerships to effect spiritual and social change in communities. Dr. Evans’ church and school outreach philosophy has been attributed as a catalyst for former President George W. Bush’s Faith Based Initiative, which was his first formal act of office. Dr. Evans seeks to train churches, schools and volunteers in this philosophy, as well as in the functional practicalities, through the National Church Adopt-A-School Initiative which is a ministry underneath the umbrella of The Urban Alternative.


Dr. Evans serves as president of The Urban Alternative, a national ministry that seeks to restore hope and transform lives through the proclamation and the application of the Word of God. His daily radio broadcast, The Alternative with Dr. Tony Evans, can be heard on more than 850 radio outlets throughout the United States and in more than 80 countries.


Dr. Evans has written numerous books and booklets including his legacy work, Oneness Embraced, as well as his vision work, The Kingdom Agenda. Some of his most recent books includes, Kingdom Man, A Moment For Your Soul, Marriage Matters, and Victory in Spiritual Warfare.



Email Sign-up

Sign up for the TWR360 Newsletter

Access updates, news, Biblical teaching and inspirational messages from powerful Christian voices.

Thank you for signing up to receive updates from TWR360.

Required information missing

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy & Terms of Use apply.