Focus on the Family Africa Family Matters

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
664 – 684

Hopeless, Feels Like a Loser II

Last time on Family Matters we were responding to a cry for help from one of our listeners who feels like a loser and has lost hope in this life. A plea like this really touches our hearts at a deep level and we always want to step in and…
20 Jan 2021 5PM 4 min

Hopeless, Feels Like a Loser I

Have you ever felt as though your life is falling apart and there’s no hope for you? These kinds of feelings are not to be taken lightly and should be assessed by an outsider who can offer a different perspective on the situation.
19 Jan 2021 5PM 4 min

Blended Family Etiquette

Bringing two families together to form a new family is always tricky. There are all sorts of challenges that go along with blending a family, even down to the labels that are given to the new Mom or Dad.
18 Jan 2021 5PM 4 min

Biblical Perspectives on Polygamy and Polyamory

The practice of having multiple wives or partners is one that definitely occurred in Old Testament times, however, what does the Bible actually say about what God designed for a man right in the beginning?
14 Jan 2021 5PM 4 min

Girls and Women Wearing Pants

Historical cultural norms can have a great influence over family life and choices, but there’s a difference between culture and Biblical truth. When backing up our beliefs with scripture, we need to be careful that we look at the verses in context.
13 Jan 2021 5PM 4 min

Talking to Teen About Suicide of Friend or Acquaintance

Teen suicide statistics have risen substantially over the last number of decades. When a teen commits suicide he leaves a wake of grieving friends and family. How can a parent be there for the grieving child, and what conversations should take place over that time?
12 Jan 2021 5PM 4 min

Reasons to Pursue Higher Education

In the economic climate we find ourselves in, in this country, the lack of job opportunities has certainly restricted the value and significance of a university degree. There are countless people who have hard-earned qualifications but can’t find well-paying jobs in their field. Do these current circumstances negate the need…
10 Jan 2021 5PM 4 min

Husband Wonders if He Should Become 'Mr Mom'

It's not every day that you see Dad doing the school run, after school activities, homework, and preparing dinner, but in some cases, this is the role Dads are finding themselves in.
7 Jan 2021 5PM 4 min

Grandparents Filling in for Busy Moms and Dads

In modern society, it has become increasingly common for both moms and dads to work outside of the home, and it’s overwhelmingly evident that busyness has become the norm for so many families. The words: ‘Oh, we’ve just been so busy!’ are almost everybody’s mantra. And with parents adopting this…
6 Jan 2021 5PM 4 min

Disciplining an Uncooperative Child

The subject of discipline is a hot topic among most parents, and it’s an area where parents can feel overwhelmed and underqualified. What a lot of Moms and Dads don’t realize is that effective discipline takes effort and follow-through, and when there’s inconsistency, children end up feeling unsure of their…
5 Jan 2021 5PM 4 min

Cohabiting Boyfriend Has Been Unfaithful

A relationship that ends because of unfaithfulness is always a serious blow, but when there are children involved it makes the situation so much more difficult and devastating.
4 Jan 2021 5PM 4 min

Christian Calling vs Family Commitments

As a Christ-follower, where should our greatest allegiance lie? Of course, we know that Christ should be our first love, but Christians in ministry often grapple with the order of priority after that. Is the commitment to family more important than commitment to the church or the other way round?
3 Jan 2021 5PM 4 min

Denominationally Mismatched Romance

Pursuing a serious relationship with someone who you feel is a potential marriage partner is always a big decision. This is because marriage is a lifetime commitment that doesn’t only involve you and your spouse but your respective families too.
31 Dec 2020 5PM 4 min

Understanding Teen Cutting

Self-harm is a major problem among teens and it needs to be taken very seriously. No matter how severe the cut wounds are, there needs to be greater awareness of the underlying circumstances.
30 Dec 2020 5PM 4 min

How to Approach a Marital Separation II

On the last Family Matters program, we began talking about how to approach a marital separation and covered: making sure that it’s the best and only solution at the time, putting a plan in place, and informing the children in an age appropriate way. We want to talk more about…
29 Dec 2020 5PM 4 min

How to Approach a Marital Separation I

So many couples are struggling in their marriage relationships, and separation or divorce seems to be the only solution to end the pain. We’re going to tackle the tough subject of how to approach a marital separation on the next two programs of Family Matters
28 Dec 2020 5PM 4 min

Same-Sex Attractions and Sexual Identity II

On the last Family Matters program, we were addressing the topic of same-sex attractions and helping our listeners understand that feelings don’t determine identity and identity labels should not be so easily appointed by society at large.
27 Dec 2020 5PM 4 min

Same-Sex Attractions and Sexual Identity I

There are so many thoughts, feelings and questions that circulate in a persons mind if they find themselves being attracted to someone of the same sex. Society would jump to conclusions and slap a label on your head in a heartbeat, but what is the truth and what underlying factors…
24 Dec 2020 5PM 4 min
664 – 684