Family: What Does the Assemblies of God Believe About Marriage and Family?
- Boundless Team
- 9 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Your home is more than just a house; it is the primary place where the love of God is felt, seen, and shared with the next generation.
What Does the Assemblies of God Believe About Marriage and Family?
The Assemblies of God believes marriage is a lifelong, sacred covenant between one man and one woman, established by God at creation. We view the family as the fundamental building block of society and the primary circle for spiritual discipleship, where children are raised as a divine stewardship.
Understanding the Terms
Covenant: A sacred, binding agreement between two parties with God as the witness and participant, far deeper than a legal contract.
Stewardship: The biblical principle that our children, time, and resources belong to God, and we are responsible for managing them according to His will.
Sanctification: The lifelong process of being set apart for God’s purposes and becoming more like Jesus through the work of the Holy Spirit.
The Biblical Blueprint: A Covenant for Life
In the 901, we value our history and our roots. The Assemblies of God views marriage in much the same way, as a foundational root system that sustains everything above ground. According to the official Assemblies of God position papers, marriage is not a social experiment or a human invention; it is a divine ordinance.
Scripture begins and ends with a marriage, from Adam and Eve in Genesis to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb in Revelation. This tells us that the union between a husband and a wife is meant to reflect the relationship between Christ and His Church.
Heterosexual and Monogamous: We believe marriage is between one man and one woman. This complementarity reflects the full image of God (Genesis 1:27).
Lifelong Permanence: Jesus taught that "what God has joined together, let no one separate" (Matthew 19:6). While we provide grace for those who have walked through the pain of divorce, our goal is always reconciliation and the preservation of the covenant.
Sacrificial Love: Based on Ephesians 5, husbands are called to love their wives as Christ loved the church, sacrificially and selflessly. Wives are called to respect and partner with their husbands in a relationship of mutual submission.
Parenting as a Divine Calling
If marriage is the foundation, parenting is the construction of the future. In the Assemblies of God, we don't just see children as "the future of the church", we see them as the church of today.
Parenting is viewed as a "divine stewardship." This means that parents are the primary spiritual educators of their children. While we love our FA Kids and student ministries, the most powerful sermons your children will ever hear are the ones lived out at your kitchen table in Cordova or Bartlett.
The goal of a Spirit-filled home is to create an environment where the fruit of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, is the "atmosphere" children breathe every day.
High-Impact Statistics: Family Life in Shelby County
Understanding the state of the family in Memphis and the surrounding 901 area helps us pray and serve more effectively. Recent data from the University of Memphis 2025 Poverty Fact Sheet and other local reports highlight the following:
Category | Statistic | Impact on the 901 |
Married-Couple Income | ~$118,321 Median | Married families in Shelby County often see significantly higher economic stability. |
Overall Median Income | ~$63,767 | There is a substantial gap between single-parent and married-couple households. |
Child Poverty (City) | 38.8% | Nearly 4 out of 10 children in Memphis face significant economic hardship. |
Households | ~360,000 | Shelby County remains a major hub for family life in the Mid-South. |
These numbers aren't just data points; they are people. They represent families in Arlington, Millington, and West Memphis who are looking for hope, stability, and community. We believe the church should be the first place these families turn.
Practical Steps for a Healthier Family
Building a strong family doesn't happen by accident. It requires intentionality and the help of the Holy Spirit. Here are five practical ways to strengthen your home today:
Establish a Rhythm of Prayer: You don't need a formal liturgy. Simply praying together before bed or over a meal invites God into the daily details of your life.
Prioritize Community: Don't do life alone. Whether it's through a Life Group or serving together, being connected to other families provides the "village" everyone needs.
Practice Forgiveness Quickly: In a "one flesh" union, holding a grudge is like hurting your own body. Be quick to apologize and even quicker to forgive.
Speak Words of Life: Use your words to build up your spouse and children. Your home should be the safest place on earth for your family's hearts.
Serve Your City Together: Find a way to bless Memphis. Whether it's helping at a local food pantry or participating in church outreach, serving together bonds families.
Community Life in the 901
We believe that God placed First Assembly Memphis exactly where it is to be a lighthouse for families across Shelby County. We aren't just a building; we are a community of families from Germantown, Collierville, and beyond who are striving to live out these biblical truths.
Whether you are a newly married couple, a single parent navigating the challenges of the 901, or a grandparent leaving a legacy, there is a place for you here. We offer leadership that cares and a prayer team that is ready to stand with you.
Life Takeaway
The strength of our city is found in the strength of our families, and the strength of our families is found in our surrender to Jesus Christ. When we build our homes on the rock of His Word, no storm, economic, cultural, or personal, can knock them down.
Closing Question
What is one small step you can take today to invite the peace of God into your home?
Need prayers? Text us day or night at 1-901-213-7341. (Note: This line is for prayer and pastoral support, not emergency services. If you are in immediate danger or need urgent help, please call 911.)
Want to go deeper?
If you're in Memphis, Cordova, Arlington, Bartlett, or the 901 area, we would love to welcome you in person this Sunday. You can find out more about our services and what to expect here.
Outside the area or unable to attend in person? Join our global community at Boundless Online Church for digital discipleship and connection.
We are here for you. You are not alone.
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