50 Days of Mission IN HIS STEPS 2021
Workshop 6: Family Priority I. The Family and the Mission of God In the beginning, God’s first command to humans was to “be fruitful and multiply” and fill the earth. In the Kingdom of God, the natural family (the people of Israel, descended from Abraham), which multiplies through marriage and childbearing, has been superseded by the spiritual family, the Church, which multiplies through evangelism and discipleship. Thus, we see Jesus affirm that those who remain single or those who are unable to have children can have a calling from God just as much as others (see Matthew 19:11-12). He also warns that, if it comes down to a choice, we must put loyalty to Christ above family. (Matthew 10:37) Nevertheless, the natural family is still vitally important to God. It remains the foundation of society, the primary way basic human needs are met, and the building block of the church. Jesus insisted that marriage is sacred (Matthew 19:4-6), and he welcomed and blessed children. (Matthew 19:13-14) The natural family is central to the spiritual mission of God in three ways: 1. Family is a target of the mission. Because spiritual family is not passed down genetically, each generation must be evangelized and discipled in the faith, first by the parents but in cooperation with the whole multi-generational church family. Our mission should always reach beyond our family, but never at the cost of neglecting our own family. 2. Family is an environment of the mission. The early church met in the homes of believers, and hospitality continues to be a vital way in which discipleship occurs. In addition, the command of God to care for widows and orphans leads us to extend our scope of family care and connection to those who have lost their earthly family. 3. Family is a platform for the mission. A healthy family is a winning witness to the world that the gospel truly transforms hearts and lives. In a mature family, the whole household worships together and labors together for the Kingdom. Reflect: How are you doing in each of these three areas—are you effectively discipling your own family? Is your household a place where others receive ministry? Does your family worship, pray, and work together for a greater cause? Write down which of the three you most need to work on.
II. Strengthening the Heart of Marriage A. Marriage as Picture • Oneness and Otherness (Genesis 2:18-25) • Intimacy with God (Ephesians 5:21-33) • Faithfulness to God (Hebrews 13:4)
B. Marriage as Ministry • Serving Christ by Serving One Another (1 Corinthians 7:32-35) • A Training Ground for Church Leadership (1 Timothy 3:1-5) Discuss: In what ways does a life devoted to serving Christ strengthen a marriage? In what ways does it bring special pressures, temptations, or attacks from the Enemy? How can we leverage the former to prepare for the latter?
Alternate Discussion: If someone finds themselves in a situation of raising children without the benefit of marriage, what promises of hope would you find for them in scripture? What role could the church play in supporting them, and what steps would they need to take to avail themselves of that support?
III. Building a Strong Family A. The Foundation 1. Dependence on Christ (Psalm 127:1) 2. The Word of God (Matthew 7:24)
B. Four Walls 1. Leadership by Example (Luke 6:39-40) 2. Solid Teaching (Deuteronomy 6:4-9) 3. Loving Discipline (Proverbs 3:11-12; Ephesians 6:4) 4. Affirmation & Blessing (Numbers 6:22-27; Galatians 3:9; Ephesians 1:3)
C. The Roof 1. Continual Prayer (1 Samuel 12:23) 2. Prayer for Salvation and Protection (Luke 22:21-32) 3. Prayer for Consecration and Calling ( Goals: Pick one area of the “house” metaphor above and write one or two SMART Goals (Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Realistic and Time-Targeted) that you will set for yourself to grow in that area.
Blessing: Write a one-paragraph blessing for each of your children. Be sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit as you look for the intersection between the unique design of their God-given character qualities and what you believe God’s vision for their future might be. Keep in mind that the blessing is both for them, and so that they can become a blessing to others.
IV. Turning Your Home into a Mission Center A. The Value of Hospitality 1. The Biblical Example (Psalm 23:5-6, Luke 10:5-7, Acts 2:42-47) 2. The Biblical Command (1 Timothy 3:2, Romans 12:13, Hebrews 13:2)
B. The Guests of Hospitality 1. Fellow Believers (Acts 5:42) 2. Christian Workers (3 John 1:5-8) 3. People in Need (Luke 14:12-14) Discuss: Why do you think that the trend has been for “fellowship” among Christians to take place at the church building rather than in homes? How might our ministry and mission look different if we returned to a counter-culture of hospitality amidst a society that values “privacy”?
Reflect: Who could your family bless by inviting them into your home? How could you get the whole family involved in this project? What blessings might you and your family receive from that experience?