All Nations Theological College and Seminary

All Nations Theological College and Seminary (ANTS) hosted a Marriage and Family Seminar today at the ANTS Chapel, bringing together staff families and the student community for a time of learning, reflection and biblical teaching on building strong, healthy and lasting marriages and families.

The seminar was facilitated by Langson Julu and Marry Julu, a married couple who have been together since 2001 and have served in family ministry through Youth With A Mission (YWAM) Kenya since 1995. Drawing from their experience in family ministry, the facilitators shared practical insights and biblical principles to help participants understand the values that sustain healthy relationships and strong Christian families.

The central message of the seminar was that Jesus Christ must be the foundation of every Christian marriage and family. Using 1 Corinthians 3:11 and Matthew 7:24, the facilitators compared marriage to a house that requires a firm foundation to withstand life's challenges. They cautioned against building relationships primarily on physical appearance, financial status or other temporary factors, encouraging couples instead to establish their relationships on Christ and enduring biblical principles.

Four Pillars for a Strong Marriage and Family

1. Love: Choosing to Love Unconditionally

Drawing from 1 Corinthians 13:4–8, the facilitators emphasised that genuine love is patient, hopeful, sacrificial and enduring. Love within marriage should not be based solely on what one expects to receive from a spouse, but on a sincere commitment to the well-being of the other person.

Participants were encouraged to love their spouses unconditionally, demonstrating patience, sacrifice and commitment even when circumstances are difficult. Such love reflects God's love for humanity and provides a strong foundation for navigating the joys and challenges of family life.

2. Trust: Building Relationships Through Honesty

Trust was presented as a valuable treasure that must be nurtured and protected within marriage. The facilitators explained that trust cannot simply be demanded; it is earned through consistent, honest and trustworthy behaviour.

Couples were encouraged to practise openness, honesty and healthy communication, recognising that secrecy and dishonesty can weaken relationships. By remaining faithful to their commitments and demonstrating integrity in their daily interactions, spouses can build the confidence and security necessary for a lasting marriage.

3. Respect: Valuing One Another as Equal Partners

The seminar highlighted mutual respect as an essential ingredient of a healthy marriage. The facilitators encouraged spouses to value each other's opinions, recognise one another's worth and learn their partners' preferences, likes and dislikes.

Respect involves listening thoughtfully, even when spouses disagree or hold different perspectives, rather than dismissing one another's contributions. Both husband and wife have a responsibility to communicate respectfully and treat each other with dignity.

Grounded in the biblical understanding that every person is created in the image of God, mutual respect recognises the worth of both partners and encourages an environment in which each spouse feels heard, valued and appreciated.

4. Understanding: Learning to Navigate Life Together

Understanding develops over time as couples share life, communicate and learn more about one another. The facilitators encouraged spouses to recognise that their partners may respond differently to stress, disappointment, financial pressure and other life circumstances.

Husbands and wives were urged to exercise patience and empathy, seeking to understand each other's experiences rather than allowing misunderstandings to create unnecessary conflict. During difficult financial seasons, for instance, spouses should offer encouragement and support instead of criticism or disrespect.

By learning to understand each other's emotions, limitations and circumstances, couples can respond to challenges with greater wisdom, compassion and unity.

Building on the Unshakable Foundation of Christ

Beyond the four pillars, the seminar returned to its central message: Jesus Christ must remain the foundation of every Christian marriage and family.

In 1 Corinthians 3:11, Scripture teaches that no foundation can be laid other than Jesus Christ. Similarly, Matthew 7:24 illustrates the wisdom of hearing Christ's words and putting them into practice, comparing such obedience to building a house on rock.

These passages underscore the importance of more than simply professing faith. Couples must actively apply biblical principles in their daily interactions, decisions, communication and treatment of one another. Love, trust, respect and understanding become meaningful pillars of family life when they are practised consistently in obedience to Christ.

Strengthening Families Through Biblical Teaching

The seminar brought together ANTS staff families and students at the ANTS Chapel, creating an opportunity for the wider college community to reflect on the responsibilities involved in building and sustaining healthy family relationships.

The facilitators' insights, informed by their experience together in marriage and family ministry, reinforced the importance of putting biblical principles into practice at home and in everyday relationships. The discussions highlighted that strong marriages do not depend solely on material provision, physical attraction or favourable circumstances, but on a deliberate commitment to Christ-centred living.

Through initiatives such as this seminar, ANTS continues to encourage biblical understanding and spiritual growth within its community, equipping its members to apply Christian values in their families and relationships.

The seminar's message remains clear: Christ is the foundation, love sustains commitment, trust strengthens the bond, respect preserves dignity, and understanding helps couples walk together through life's challenges.

“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” — 1 Corinthians 3:11 (NIV)

All Nations Theological College and Seminary — Make disciples of All Nations.

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