What should our top priorities be in family life?

The Bible does not lay out a step-by-step order for family relationships. However, it does say that our top priority never changes: love the Lord (Deuteronomy 6:5). When you commit your heart and soul and strength to loving God, you make him the first priority. Make him the center of your family through your words and deeds, involving every family member in church and attending regularly.

If you are married, your spouse is your next priority. Ephesians 5:25 tells husbands to love their wives like Christ loved the church. Christ’s first priority—after obeying the Father—was the church. He set an example for all husbands: God first, then his wife. Wives prioritize in the same way: God first, then her husband (Ephesians 5:22).

The result of the marriage relationship—children—comes next. Parents must prioritize raising godly children who will be the next generation and repeat that investment in their families. If they see their mom and dad loving unconditionally, caring for others above themselves, and demonstrating loving devotion to each other, they are more likely to do the same.

Beyond our immediate family, we ought to honor our parents. The fifth commandment tells us to honor our fathers and mothers (Exodus 20:12). It does not specify an age limit, which means we should honor them as long as our parents are alive.

Then comes the rest of the extended family. First Timothy 5:8 says that If we do not provide for our relatives, we are worse than an unbeliever.

Because believers are a family in God, we also owe fellow Christians some priority. Romans 14 tells us not to look down on our brothers or sisters or do anything that would make them stumble. In both Corinthian letters, Paul instructed the church on how to live in harmony, love each other, serve each other, and demonstrate a godly life.

We must never forget to make disciples from every nation and share the message of salvation with the whole world. Matthew 28:19 reminds us that God’s priority is all the world, not just us or our families.

Our priorities are God, spouse, children, parents, extended family, brothers and sisters in Christ, and the rest of the world. Occasionally, one requires immediate attention out of this order, but the long-term priorities remain the same.