Family Matters

Family Matters is a 5 minute programme offering practical advice from Focus on the Family. Receive a daily dose of encouragement and advice for the family with keys to stronger marriages, effective parenting, deeper relationships and a more satisfying lifestyle.
Daily English South Africa Society & Culture · Religion & Spirituality
1,149 Episodes
204 – 224

Mental disorders in kid

What should I expect from a child with a mental disorder? How can I know which behaviors he's capable of controlling and which behaviors I should simply accept and make allowances for? We're facing this situation with our teenage son, and we have no idea how to handle it. Can…
18 Oct 2022 3AM 4 min

How to help a depressed spouse

How can I convince my spouse to seek help for possible depression? I have reason to believe that he's struggling in this area, but he refuses to admit that this might be true or to take my concerns seriously. I'm not sure if it's pride, fear, or something else that's…
17 Oct 2022 10AM 4 min

Homemaking and the biblical view of work

Where does homemaking fit into the Bible's teaching on work and labor? I've always been happy in my role as a stay-at-home wife and mother. Then I heard a series of messages about the role of productive labor in God's plan for mankind. Since then I've been having doubts. I…
14 Oct 2022 10AM 4 min

Special needs of a compliant child

How is a mild-tempered, cooperative child likely to be impacted by the presence of a defiant and strong-willed sibling in the home? My oldest daughter is a model child – pleasant, cheerful, and agreeable. Her brother is the exact opposite. I may contact you about him some other time; believe…
13 Oct 2022 10AM 4 min

Sex at its best

Is marital sex really more satisfying? I'm in a difficult marriage, and one of the biggest sore spots between me and my wife is the whole issue of sex. I feel deprived. Sometimes I'm even tempted to explore the possibility of getting my needs met somewhere else. I read an…
11 Oct 2022 10AM 4 min

Struggling with same-sex attractions

Is there any way I can overcome my life-long struggle with same-sex attraction? I've tried to resist, but it seems inevitable that I will eventually act on these feelings. What should I do?
10 Oct 2022 10AM 4 min

The apostle Paul on marriage and singleness

The Bible and the Church talk about marriage being God’s design, and there is much emphasis on the sanctity of marriage being the foundation of family. There are, however, people who choose a life of singleness as they consecrate themselves to God here on earth. We’ll reveal what the Bible…
7 Oct 2022 10AM 4 min

Minimizing the impact of depression on your family

How can I prevent my struggles with depression and anxiety from having a negative impact on my wife and children? It's bad enough having to cope with these debilitating feelings, but the thought that I'm making life difficult for my family is almost too much to bear. What should I…
6 Oct 2022 9AM 4 min

Help for victim of cyber bullying

What can I do about kids texting intimidating messages to my cell phone and posting mean rumors about me on Facebook? At first I tried to ignore them, but the situation has gotten so bad that I don't want to show my face at school anymore. These people are destroying…
5 Oct 2022 9AM 4 min

A grown child attitude towards parents

Now that I'm past 18, should I still "submit" to my mom and dad? The Bible says that children should "obey" their parents (Ephesians 6:1; Colossians 3:20), but at what point do I become fully independent of their control?
4 Oct 2022 9AM 4 min

Importance of marital sex in biblical view

Is sex really that critical to a healthy marriage? Here's why I ask. I'm having a disagreement with my spouse. He tells me that sex is a "sacrament" and "a holy mystery," and that it needs to be central to our relationship. He even uses Ephesians 5:30-32 to support these…
3 Oct 2022 9AM 4 min

How to help a depressed spouse

How can I convince my spouse to seek help for possible depression? I have reason to believe that he's struggling in this area, but he refuses to admit that this might be true or to take my concerns seriously. I'm not sure if it's pride, fear, or something else that's…
30 Sep 2022 7AM 4 min

Homemaking and the biblical view of work

Where does homemaking fit into the Bible's teaching on work and labor? I've always been happy in my role as a stay-at-home wife and mother. Then I heard a series of messages about the role of productive labor in God's plan for mankind. Since then I've been having doubts. I…
29 Sep 2022 7AM 4 min

Conflict with parents over wedding plans

How should we handle a potentially explosive disagreement with my parents over our upcoming wedding? They've expressed strong objections to our serving wine and having dancing at our reception. My husband-to-be and I are financially independent, and we'd be willing to cover the wedding expenses ourselves. But this wouldn't really…
28 Sep 2022 7AM 4 min

Children's nervous habits

Are ongoing nervous habits potentially harmful to children? My child has one, and I've done everything I can think of to put a stop to it, but so far nothing has worked. It's driving me crazy. What should I do?
27 Sep 2022 7AM 4 min

Becoming a successful blended family

As a recently remarried stepparent, what can I do to make the transition to blended family life as smooth as possible for my children, my spouse's kids, and everyone else concerned?
26 Sep 2022 7AM 4 min

Affair with a member of the extended family

Should I tell my husband about the one-time sexual encounter I had with his brother? It happened over a year ago in a moment of weakness. Both of us immediately acknowledged that this was wrong and nothing further has happened since. Our families see each other regularly and are very…
23 Sep 2022 7AM 4 min

Adult child living at home disregards parents

What kind of standards of conduct and behavior should parents impose upon an adult child living in their home? Our single 29-year-old daughter lives with us in separate quarters off of the main house. She knows how deeply we feel about marriage as the only appropriate context for sexual expression,…
22 Sep 2022 7AM 4 min

When not to submit to your husband

Is it ever appropriate for a woman to question her husband's judgment or to oppose his decisions when she believes he's in the wrong? If so, how does this fit in with Ephesians 5:22, where Paul says, "Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord?" Are there any…
21 Sep 2022 7AM 4 min
204 – 224