18 Amazing Bible Verses on Family Unity (at Home & Church)

Family doesn’t only mean one’s own blood, but it can also be those who you hold close to and who share similar interests or beliefs as you.

Where there is unity among whoever you call your family, it promotes long-lasting relationships.

Here is a collection of Bible verses to highlight the importance of family unity and at the same time help strengthen your whole family, whoever they are.

 

Ephesians 5:22-24 - Husband is the head of the home

 

“Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.”

This verse is all about submission. It first states that a wife should submit to their own husband who is the head of the household, similar to their humble submission to God as the head of the church.

This submission is one that is not misused by the husband but cherished and loved in a Christ-like manner.

The unity between both partners also demonstrates trust, love, and unity, qualities on which the people of God are encouraged to reflect.

 

Genesis 2:24 - A man and woman will become a united family front

 

“That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.”

So many Christian marriages are falling apart because they lose sight of what God created marriage to be. And that is because of the ignorance of the man or the woman, and sometimes both.

When a man leaves his home and takes up a wife, the two become one; some would say two halves become whole. This was predestined by God when he created Eve for Adam.

God’s intent for marriage is that the two become one flesh. The Word says husbands should love their wives as their own bodies, and he who loves his wife loves himself.

And in doing that, ultimately creates a loving, lasting union between the two.

 

Psalms 128:3 - Your wife should be cherished and loved to have close-knit family values

 

“Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine within the innermost part of your house; Your children will be like olive plants around your table.”

This Psalm paints a picture of the perfect family, a unified home that is centered on the fear of God.

The fruitful vine of the wife symbolizes a faithful wife that has been cherished and loved, and the children are like olive plants representing the beauty of what the father and the mother have planted, and this will continue to their children and their children’s children.

 

Ephesians 6:4 - Bring up your children to fear God for collective family strength

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

There are a couple of verses in the Bible teaching children to obey their parents and how a wife should submit to their husband, but God also gave instructions to the fathers on how they should raise their children in the admonition of the Lord.

As we see in the world today there are so many abuses in the homes, some of which stem from the temper of the fathers, and so Paul wrote this for them especially.

As head of his own household, a father is supposed to provide for, train, and love his children.

The Bible says “A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,” but that obedience can only survive from a place of humbleness, not from irritation or frustration.

 

Joshua 24:15 - Serve the Lord for unity within the family

 

“But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

In this verse, Joshua was setting an example of raising a God-centered family. A family that strives to keep the way of the Lord.

There is an old saying that goes “A family that prays together, stays together.” This saying is simply saying that once God is in the midst of everything, then such a family will always be unified.

 

1 Timothy 5:8 - You must take care of your family

“But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

Paul was speaking to young Timothy here of the importance of taking care of one’s own family. If they choose to deny their responsibilities, then they are no better than an unbeliever.

They cannot say they proclaim Christ Jesus and neglect their responsibility. This also diminishes the sanctity of what a family is for.

And so it is important to remember that your responsibilities start at home.

 

Proverbs 22:6 - Discipline your children the right way for intact family harmony

 

“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”

The term “spare the rod, spoil the child,” is simply refusing to train your child in the right way, not growing them in the paths of righteousness.

Parents are encouraged to spend time disciplining their children in the right way so that when they go out in the world they will conduct themselves in a God-like manner.

Also, parents shouldn’t neglect their children, especially when they’re “acting out” but do their best to instill in them good morals, and godly counsel, so that they have a foundation to lean back on as they grow.

 

Exodus 20:12 - Be respectful to your parents for aligned family relationships

“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.”

This is the fifth commandment given to children about being obedient to their parents. This wasn’t only shown in the Old Testament, but was repeated in Ephesians and Colossians “Children obey your parents in the Lord for this is right.”

This is also the first commandment that comes with a promise of longevity. And as Solomon said “A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son will only hurt his mother.

This command not only shapes the behavior in their own family, but in society as well, and it also creates a lasting relationship between both the parents and the children, one that is favorable in the sight of God.

 

1 Timothy 3:15 - The church should operate as a family

“If I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.”

There are certain rules on how believers are to conduct themselves in the world and also in the house of God. Here, Paul wrote instructions to Timothy on how a church should function.

He said the church should operate as a family, many members becoming one. Also, both Jacob and Paul shared the same sentiment stating that God’s house is the pillar and foundation of truth (Genesis 28:22).

And as such, the church should operate as members of the living God, one faith, and one family.

 

Ephesians 4:15-16 - Have Harmonious family bonds by coming together as a whole

“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, ¹⁶ from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.”

In this verse, Paul is outlining the expectations of God's people when it comes to the unity of the spirit, unity of faith, and love. He referred to one’s own understanding of how the body is made up.

All the parts of the body have to be functioning properly in order for the body to feel whole (1 Corinthians 12:12).

The Word of the Lord also says that all believers have to be in harmony with each other, (Acts 2:44) otherwise the growth of the church will remain stagnant.

And while we all have different functions (Romans 12:4-5), the church’s health and success are dependent on believers working harmoniously together.

 

Psalms 133:1 - Living in unity is pleasant for cohesive family relationships

“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!”

The theme being used here is unity. This was a command given to the tribe of Israel who was all related. And it shows us that while we may not all be brothers and sisters by blood, we are children of God.

He has adopted all of us into His family. So Paul tells us that God requires that we live in unity with one another, and to love each other as He loves us (John 17:21).

As David sang what a joy it is when a set of people can come together, each having a different background, and shares the same faith.

 

1 Corinthians 1:10 - Spiritual growth is a perfect unity of family members

“I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.”

One of the keys to the spiritual growth of a church is when there is perfect unity among its members. Where there is no unity there is division, and the Lord cannot bless a church that is divided.

Paul says we have to be on one accord, having a unity of the mind, (1 Peter 3:8), so that even when there are disagreements as we all know will happen, we can come together as brothers and sisters, as a family should do and come to a solution.

 

Ephesians 2:19 - As a church, we are no longer strangers

“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household.”

From this verse, three things come to mind: separation, uniting, and fellowship.

Paul was seen here giving us the timeline of a set of Gentiles who were strangers to each other, coming together through the grace of God, and were now one family. They were no more a separate group of people, but rather citizens of God.

And so Paul is reminding us that as a church, we have to recognize that we are no longer strangers to each other but relatives united in the fellowship of Christ.

 

Ephesians 4:3 - Be Christ-like to each other

“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” 

As with any family, there is a possibility that the unity of a church can also be destroyed. Negative influences, disagreements, and so many other things can contribute to the church being divided.

However, we are encouraged to exercise true God-like characteristics, being like-minded with one another and making every effort to honor the bond we share with our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

 

Proverbs 27:10 - Sometimes a friend is more reliable than your family

“Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family, and do not go to your relative’s house when disaster strikes you—better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away.”

The sad truth here that Solomon was relaying is that sometimes a close neighbor or friend is more reliable than one’s own relative.

He was telling us that some friendship bonds are more unbreakable than their own flesh and blood. And those types of friendship are those we should hold on to for “A friend in need is truly a friend indeed.”

 

1 Thessalonians 5:11 - Find friends that help you become better

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”

There are friends who will tear us down, but there are those types of friends who will always build us up.

In hard times, like these we all need a little encouragement, and so instead of fighting against each other, we should unite as one so we can be a crutch and a helping hand to each other.

 

Proverbs 17:17 - Examples of a loyal friend and a beloved brother

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”

The Holy Bible gives many examples of a loyal friend and a beloved brother. He describes them to be those who will love you and stick with you during your best moments or times of need.

These types of friendships share common interests and beliefs especially when it’s Christ-centered, and are ones you should cherish always.

 

Proverbs 17:9 

“Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.”

The aim of this verse is to encourage friends not to destroy each other with gossip. In Galatians 6:1 “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently.”

Solomon states that you shouldn’t ignore their sin, but rather aid them back to God. After all, even the best of friendships can be destroyed and separated by frivolous gossip.

 

What Does the Bible Say About Family Unity?

When we are going through hard and difficult times in our lives, family is the closest to God that can offer us comfort.

When the members of the household learn to live together in harmony with one another, this creates a safe and loving environment where each member can be strengthened.

The Word of God says “Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.”

Additionally, the Old and New Testaments outline many instructions for how family members should operate and how to fight against the attacks of the enemy, who only comes to kill, steal and destroy.

And when there are strong family bonds within homes, that unity can impact to unity in the church, as we know family doesn’t always mean blood-related, and so will contribute to building the Kingdom of Heaven.

 

Conclusion

Sadly, nowadays there seem to be more family problems than good solid family relationships. Families are constantly tearing apart.

But a quote to always remember is “United you stand, divided you will fall.” There is always strength in unity, and the Bible said it so it must be true.