Retelling the stories of seven different families in the Bible, the author draws on his experiences as a pastor, educator and family therapist in a variety of cultural contexts to offer insights and stimulate reflection about family life today. The cultural and historical context of these biblical families differs from our own, and patriarchal and pastoral family life of thousands of years ago can hardly be a model for today. Yet rereading these stories can unfold new perspectives on our own experiences as human beings and our relations with those closest to us. In this way, the author says, these biblical families of Jesus, Jacob, the Prodigal Son, the "capable wife" of Proverbs 31, Martha, Mary and can teach us Lazarus, the Samaritan woman and Thomas much about ourselves: the life-cycles of our families, the complexity of human relations, the mysteries of life and death, the call to solidarity, justice, peace and stewardship.