Church history of the first two centuries shows this as well. In some cases the family members are separated geographically but socially they are united with their larger family, and the elders ofthe family have strong influence over them. The degree to which decision making is part of a family process is particularly observable in rural India where almost eighty percent of India's population is to be found. The head of the household, either the father or a grandfather, exercises tremendous decisions such as the choosing of life partners for eligible girls and boys, the investment of money, the resolving of interpersonal conflicts, etc. These decisions are made by consultation between adult male members of the family under the authority of the head of the family.
Women play a role by privately influencing their male counterparts.
It seems that in most Asian, African, Eastern European and developing Western nations, united households are prominent in society. Whenever possible, the elders of the household should be the first ones contacted and their sympathy won towards God's Word and the gospel. This would make conducting Bible study in their homes very easy and the elders would infuence other family members to participate. The pattern of using Christian homes as a means of spreading the gospel should be followed. Gospel communication would then take place in the relaxed and friendly atmosphere of the home rather than in the intimidating atmosphere of the church or mission compound.