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
360 – 380

Child Has Behavioral Problems at Preschool

Dealing with your child’s behavior at home is one thing, but when the pre-school teacher contacts you to talk about his or her behavior at school, you have another issue on your hands completely. We are not in control of the situation at school, and yet our parenting at home…
13 Mar 2022 6PM 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.
10 Mar 2022 5PM 4 min

Young Single Adult Feels Hopeless about Marriage

When so many marital relationships end in divorce, why should I even bother tying the knot? It's hard to avoid the conclusion that the institution of matrimony has outlived its usefulness and doesn't mean much these days. Can you say anything to convince me otherwise?
9 Mar 2022 5PM 4 min

Temptation Prayer and Spiritual Vigilence

Won't God protect me from temptation if I pray? Here's my reason for asking. Though I'm unaware of any immediate threat to the health and well-being of my marriage, I'm still afraid that, somehow, someday, I may trip up and fall into an adulterous affair. I recently heard a man…
8 Mar 2022 5PM 4 min

Choosing a Marriage Partner

With all the marriages that we see disintegrating around us, many young people must wonder if it's really worth it to get married at all. Well, we are certainly strong advocates for the sanctity of marriage, but we’d like to share some thoughts for those who are considering entering into…
7 Mar 2022 5PM 3 min

Biblical Perspectives on Polygamy and Polyamory

Why can't I have a biblically based family with multiple partners? Most of the great men of the Bible – Abraham, Jacob, David, Solomon – had many wives. Given your ministry's strong commitment to the Scriptures, I can't see why you're against things like polygamy and polyamory. I consider myself…
6 Mar 2022 5PM 4 min

Faith Doubt vs Unbelief

In order to believe in an unseen God, we need to have faith. And although we may have faith, as human beings we can still find ourselves doubting God’s power at times. I think that many Christians throughout time have grappled with doubt, in fact, the bible has numerous accounts…
3 Mar 2022 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.
2 Mar 2022 5PM 4 min

Marriage and Sexuality As Spiritual Symbols

Biblical language can sometimes be difficult to decipher or interpret. It is full of imagery, comparisons, and complex descriptions. Bible scholars have poured over the words with fine-tooth combs to pull out the pearls of what God wants to tell His people through His word. Something that can take time…
1 Mar 2022 5PM 4 min

Talking to Teen About Suicide of Friend or Acquaintance

How should I talk with my adolescent son about a friend of his who recently took his own life? The boy was hardly more than an acquaintance, but I know that this incident has impacted my teenager deeply. Can you help me figure out the best way to approach the…
28 Feb 2022 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.
27 Feb 2022 5PM 4 min

Teen seeking help after sexual assault

I've just become a victim of rape. I desperately need help and don't know where to find it – what should I do now? So far, I haven't told my parents, and no one else knows. I'm ashamed to admit it to friends and family, and I'm afraid I'll only…
24 Feb 2022 5PM 4 min

How to Approach a Marital Separation (Part 2 of 2)

Last time, 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 how to care for your…
23 Feb 2022 5PM 4 min

How to approach a marital Separation (Part 1 of 2)

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
22 Feb 2022 5PM 4 min

Same-Sex Attraction and Sexual Identity- (Part 2 of 2)

Last time, 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.
21 Feb 2022 5PM 4 min

Same-Sex Attraction and Sexual Identity (Part 1 of 2)

There are so many thoughts, feelings, and questions that circulate in a person's 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…
20 Feb 2022 5PM 4 min

Parent-Child Separation for a Short Time

Should I feel uneasy about leaving my little one with a babysitter or dropping him off at the church nursery for an hour or so? I'm a new parent, and I don't know if it's healthy for my child to be separated from me, even for relatively short periods of…
17 Feb 2022 5PM 4 min

STD Testing for Unfaithful Spouse

The repercussions of an affair are always devastating. The consequences of such actions have a far-reaching impact, and the offended spouse has every reason to feel apprehensive about moving forward in the marriage.
16 Feb 2022 5PM 4 min

Preparing for the Empty Nest

Did you know that among those aged 65 and older, the divorce rate has roughly tripled since 1990, and the reason for this spike is closely related to empty nest syndrome. Couples consciously choose to stay together until the children are out on their own and after that, they often…
14 Feb 2022 5PM 4 min
360 – 380