Day 32 - Familial Love

Emily Green

“He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him. 5 For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church?” - 1 Timothy 3:4-5 NLT

“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.” - Exodus 20:12 NLT

Another type of love the Bible discusses is familial, or storge love. Storge is a Greek word for “natural or instinctual affection, such as the love of a parent towards offspring and vice versa.” I am a child, and I can attest that a special bond exists between parents and their kids. My love for my parents differs from my love for Austin or my friends. While we’re not parents yet, I’m sure all parents could share that they have a special bond and love for their children.

The Bible speaks a lot about the love and well-being of families. In 1 Timothy 3:4-5, we see Paul laying out expectations for church leaders. While you may be reading this, thinking, “I’m not a church leader,” if you’re a believer, you still have the mandate to represent God and His Church well. That said, we are all called to take care of our families. As parents, we are called to love our kids. As children, we are called to honor our parents (Exodus 20:12). All husbands are called to manage their home, marriage, and family as the head of the household (Ephesians 5:23). I don’t know your personal situation when it comes to family, but I do know that God has set clear expectations for us, and these expectations require love!

If you’re reading this today and don’t have any biological family of your own, know that you still have the opportunity for storge love through your spiritual family of believers! In 1 and 2 Timothy, Paul writes to Timothy, who he calls his “true son in the faith” (1 Timothy 1:2). If you desire familial connection today, I believe that God will send you spiritual children to disciple and spiritual parents to guide you. God sets the lonely in families (Psalm 68:6), and you have a family here at Discover Life who loves you!

Next Steps

  • Think about it: How would I describe my relationship with my family?

  • Think about it: What are some ways I can show storge love to my family?

  • Action Step: Take one of the ways to show storge love from the step above, and put it into action today!