Our Society Needs Strong Families: Understanding the Role You Play

When God designed the family, He created more than a social structure — He created a living model of His kingdom. The home is meant to be the first place where love, respect, leadership, and submission to God’s order are learned and lived out. It’s where identity is shaped, values are formed, and faith is passed down.

But let’s be honest — the ideal family is not what most people experience. Divorce has become common, and many homes are marked by pain, broken trust, or divided roles. Blended families often wrestle with questions of authority and unity, and single moms shoulder more than their fair share of responsibility and sacrifice. This article might sound like “a perfect world” scenario, but if we don’t aim for God’s design, we’ll inevitably settle for the enemy’s plan — one that divides, confuses, and weakens what God made to be strong.

God’s order for the family is not about control or hierarchy, but rather, it is about harmony. In Ephesians 5:23 (ESV), Paul writes, “For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior.” The picture here is not domination but servanthood. Christ’s leadership was defined by sacrifice and love. Husbands are called to lead like Jesus — not to rule, but to guide, protect, and nurture their families.

Unfortunately, cultural confusion has blurred these God-given roles. While the women’s liberation movement brought important advances in equality and opportunity, it also introduced a mindset that sometimes confuses independence with isolation. Meanwhile, some men have retreated from their spiritual and emotional responsibilities, thinking provision alone fulfills their calling. But God’s design calls for more.

Men are not just providers; they are shepherds of their families. They are to lead their families in prayer, model integrity, and show what it looks like to follow Jesus daily. Women, in turn, bring incredible strength, wisdom, and discernment — qualities that complete the family’s spiritual structure and reflect the nurturing heart of God. When both husband and wife walk in their God-given roles, families thrive and children grow up knowing what love and respect look like.

Our society is desperate for strong families — not perfect ones, but godly ones. Families that pray together, forgive quickly, serve one another, and prioritize God’s ways over the world’s noise. When homes are healthy, communities grow stronger. When families follow God’s order, society begins to heal.

So, let’s take a deeper look at God’s design for how families are meant to function. In this article, we will look at what the Bible says about the role of husbands, wives, and children—and how getting back to that order brings strength and healing to our world.

The Role of Husband and Father

Most of us have heard Bible passages about the relationship between men and women being taken out of context and used to control women.  Rather than overpowering his wife, a husband is meant to empower her to live life to the fullest, using her unique gifts to glorify God and love people.

God's design is that a husband is to serve his wife, in part, by fostering a safe space for her to do this.  By submitting first to Christ, he can be empowered to fulfill his role.

1 Corinthians 11:3 says:

“But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.”

And Ephesians 5:23 adds,

“For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church.”

“Headship” doesn’t mean being the boss or calling all the shots—it means covering. Think of it like holding an umbrella. The person holding it isn’t “more important”—they’re just providing the covering from the elements. Headship is about taking responsibility, not claiming to be superior.

Jesus modeled this perfectly. He led by serving, by sacrificing, and by loving deeply.

Being a father comes with an additional set of responsibilities. Fathers are to provide for their children. But wait a minute guys, if you’re thinking, “I’m doing my job—I bring home the paycheck,” that’s great; but that’s only part of the picture. Your family doesn’t just need your income—they need your involvement.

Your presence. Your prayers. Your leadership.

Ephesians 6:4 puts it this way:

“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”

That means, as fathers, we’re called to gently guide our children—not just correct them when they’re wrong, but disciple them in truth and love.

When fathers choose not to strive in fulfilling their God-given role, tragic consequences result.  These statistics paint a stark picture taken from the National Center for Fathering. 

• 85% of youth in prison come from fatherless homes.

• 71% of high school dropouts come from families without fathers.

• 90% of homeless and runaway children grew up without a father present.

Those numbers are staggering. Fathers, your presence changes everything. When you step up, your family stands strong.

The Role of the Wife: Strength Through Support

Okay, ladies, we're about to tackle the idea of submission.  But before checking out, hang in there with me for a minute and we'll take a fresh look at the definition.  It may surprise you. And I hope it will empower and inspire you to live out the beautiful role our good God has for you.

Ephesians 5:22 says,

“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.”

It's natural to bristle at the word submit, especially in light of abuse of this Bible passage by self-serving men. Rather than interpreting this verse as a call to be like a doormat, let's look the word's original meaning in this context. It is, “to come under the mission.”

In other words, when a husband is leading his family toward God’s purpose, the wife joins in that mission—working together, not competing against one another.

This is about harmony, not hierarchy.

Let’s be clear—God didn’t make women weak. Proverbs 31 paints a picture of a strong, wise, hardworking woman who leads, builds, and blesses everyone around her.

But when women have to carry burdens, they weren’t meant to because men have stepped back, things get out of balance. God’s design is for husband and wife to walk in unity—different roles, equal value. 

Here’s a picture that might help:

Think of a family like a bird. One wing is the husband; the other is the wife. When both wings are flapping as they should, the bird soars.

But when one wing stops—say the husband steps back spiritually, or the wife feels she has to take over—the bird starts to spiral. It can’t soar the way it was designed to.

When both do their part, though? That’s when families thrive.

The Role of Children: Obedience Brings Blessing

God's instructions for children are for the whole family.  Mom and Dad, it starts with you because kids need you to teach them to follow God's design for them.  Kids, God's commands for you are good for you so keep reading so you can take hold of the blessings that come with obeying God.  

Ephesians 6:1-3 says,

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother… that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” 

Kids, do you want life to go well? Obey your parents.

It’s the first commandment that comes with a promise—and that promise still stands. Even as adults, honoring your parents brings blessing.

When children learn to honor authority at home, they grow up to honor teachers, bosses, and ultimately God. But when that’s missing, disrespect for authority spills into every part of society.

It all starts in the home.

Bringing It All Together

When husbands lead in love,
When wives support with grace,
When children obey with respect,
Families become a reflection of heaven on earth.

Our world doesn’t need more noise or more opinions—it needs strong, godly families who walk in love, unity, and purpose.

Because when families flourish, communities flourish.
When communities thrive, nations grow strong.
And when nations walk in God’s design, the world starts to look a little more like His Kingdom.

Let’s aim high. Let’s rebuild homes where Christ is the center — even if it’s messy, even if it’s hard. Because when we follow God’s design, we push back against the enemy’s plan to divide and destroy. Strong families don’t just happen; they’re built on obedience, grace, and love that reflects the heart of God Himself.

Next Steps

Maybe this week, take a moment to ask God,

• “What’s my role in strengthening my family?”

• “How can I love, lead, or support better?”

Pray for your home.
Be intentional with your presence.
And trust that when you walk in God’s design—there’s blessing waiting for you.

Related Articles

1. 4 Benefits of Reading the Bible Daily with Your Wife
2. 11 Ways Dads Inspire their Kids (get Scriptures & Practical Tips here)