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
64 – 84

Christian Calling vs Family Commitments

As a Christian, how do I sort out the difference between my obligation to family on the one hand and to the work of the gospel on the other? And what's my responsibility to my extended family as compared with my obligation to my immediate, nuclear family? Is there any…
1 May 2023 6PM 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.
30 Apr 2023 6PM 4 min

Still Can't Sleep in the Same Bed with Unfaithful Spouse

Does the fact that I'm not ready to sleep in the same bed with my husband since learning of his affair mean that I haven't forgiven him? Several months ago I discovered that he had been involved with another woman for more than four years. He's sorry about it now…
26 Apr 2023 6PM 4 min

Signs of Video and Computer Game Addiction

Very often an addict is slow to realize the severity of their problem, and will become defensive if the word addict is even mentioned. Now, you may think I’m referring to substance abuse and addiction, but today I’m referring to an addiction that’s catching a lot of people off guard:…
25 Apr 2023 6PM 4 min

Preschooler Is a Picky Eater

Have you ever heard yourself say something a little like this: “You are not leaving the dining table until you have eaten your dinner”, or, “Why didn’t you eat the school lunch I packed for you?, or, “No, you cannot have a sweetie, it’s 9 in the morning and you…
24 Apr 2023 6PM 3 min

Help for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

There are so many families in our country that have been broken by bad relationships, death of a parent or both parents or just never had the chance to be a family in the first place. Countless children are being raised by their grandparents because of these undesirable circumstances and…
23 Apr 2023 6PM 4 min

Scriptural Basis for Defending Human Life

Where does the Bible speak about the "sanctity of human life?" I've noticed that the more widely a phrase or slogan gets thrown around, the fuzzier its meaning seems to become. This one is a good example. I'm forever hearing Christians talk about "the sanctity of human life" – in…
19 Apr 2023 6PM 4 min

Preparing for Spouse's Release From Prison

In life we sometimes face challenges that we never dreamed we’d have to go through. Imagine not seeing your spouse for years because of imprisonment, and then knowing that the release date is approaching. After your relationship has been barely existent for so long, you’ll now be navigating the way…
18 Apr 2023 6PM 4 min

Spouse Misrepresents Husband

An important rule for any married couple is to avoid belittling or undermining your spouse in public. This statement may sound obvious, but often times a spouse may not even realize the error of his words, and that is why open and honest communication is so necessary.
17 Apr 2023 6PM 4 min

Boundaries in Marriage

Placing healthy boundaries in your marriage can never be underestimated. Too many marriage relationships have been thwarted by a lack of appropriate boundaries, which has inevitably led to falling into sin. Should a married man spend one on one time helping a women who is experiencing martial problems?
16 Apr 2023 6PM 3 min

Dealing with Childish Irresponsibility

Having a child who is inherently irresponsible can be one of the most frustrating things for a parent. Parenting is a tough enough task as it is, without having to constantly be worrying about a child who can’t seem to take responsibility for his things.
13 Apr 2023 6PM 3 min

My Spouse Physically Abuses Our Children

The statistics for reported child abuse in our country are way below the actual numbers, and this is due to various reasons. First a foremost, the fear instilled in the victims if they tell anyone what is going on, and then sadly, the social acceptance of practices like corporal punishment…
12 Apr 2023 6PM 4 min

How to Leave Work at the Office and Be There for Your Family

The demands of a high powered job are monstrous, and fighting off the monster for the sake of your family can be one of the most challenging and yet profoundly important things you can do. In our fast paced world, with technology at our fingertips meaning that we are constantly…
10 Apr 2023 6PM 4 min

Grace, Law and Speaking the Truth in Love

If you’re a bible believing Christian who is on fire for the Lord and you’re desperate to see others experiencing the fullness of what God has for them, then you are not alone. Your approach to the people around you should be taken seriously and cautiously at the same time…
9 Apr 2023 6PM 4 min

Discerning the Signs of Alcoholism in a Loved One

Have you ever wondered if someone you love may have a drinking problem? There are many misnomers around alcoholism, and we want to disclose the signs you should be looking for if you suspect an issue with alcohol.
6 Apr 2023 6PM 4 min

Cybersex Online Affairs and Divorce

Marriages are under threat in an even more terrifying way than ever before with the introduction of cybersex and other online portals to sexually explicit material. So many people are falling prey to the lure of sexual encounters online without realizing the serious nature of such practices.
5 Apr 2023 6PM 4 min

Changes That Occur During Puberty and Adolescence

Can you tell us what changes we should expect as our child goes through puberty and enters adolescence – and how we should deal with them? I realize that this is likely to be a challenging time in our son's life. I'm also assuming that my spouse and I will…
4 Apr 2023 6PM 4 min
64 – 84