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family (the people of Israel, descended from Abraham), which multiplies through marriage and childbearing, has been superseded by the spiritual family, the Church, which multiplies through evangelism and discipleship.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.