The Gospel and Your Family

The Gospel and Your Family

Why start with your family?

Acts 1:8 "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

The progress of the spread of the Gospel from Jerusalem, to Judea and Samaria, and then to the end of the earth becomes the outline of Acts. Acts chapters 1 through 7 describe the gospel in Jerusalem, chapters 8 through 12 speak of the gospel in Judea and Samaria, and chapters 13 through 28 tell of the gospel going to the end of the earth. We need to remember that salvation is a work of God. 

This is a progression and strategy, and we should testify what God has done in our life by starting at home, and then working our way out from there relying upon the power of the Holy Spirit in leading. Our Family would rather see a sermon than hear one any day, which means we should make sure we have a visible relationship with Jesus so there is no misunderstanding the way we act and how we live.

What does God desire for our Family?

All Christians - Live and Love by Example

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:34-35 

“And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins." 1 Peter 4:8

“The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:9

“Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1

Christian Men - Lead Family and Love by Example

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.” Ephesians 5:25-29

“But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” 1Timothy 5:8 

"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

“'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, 'and the two shall become one flesh'; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. "Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”" Mark 10:7-9

Christian Women - Yield to Husband and Love by Example

“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.” Ephesians 5:22-24

“And the LORD God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him" ... “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” Genesis 2:18, 24

Christian Children - Obey Parents and Love by Example

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.”Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment with promise: "that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”" Ephesians 6:1-3

“But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is good and acceptable before God.” 1 Timothy 5:4

Here is the recommended order for prioritizing our relationships based on scripture: God (Deuteronomy 6:5), spouse (Ephesians 5:22&25), children (Ephesians 6:4), parents (Deuteronomy 5:16), siblings or extended family (1 Timothy 5:8), brothers and sisters in Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:11), and then the rest of the world (Matthew 28:19). The biblical balance is allowing God to empower us to meet all of our relationship priorities, inside and outside our families. God desires that we lead by example and love at all times.

Whose job is it to train up the Children?

 “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4 

"You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:5-9

“Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6

It is not the church’s job or the pastor’s job but the parent’s job and responsibility to teach and train their own children. Parents need to make the time (not take the time) to read the Bible and pray with their children, especially Fathers. This is about the eternal salvation of your children. Open and close in prayer, read the Bible (maybe 15-20mins) and talk about it. You can also act out Historical Bible events and teach them what is right and wrong. Do this daily or as much as you can. Also pray with your children throughout the day. Be a good example for your children. Let your children see what a follower of Jesus really looks like. Also have a concern for the lost to come to Jesus to be saved. Remember that the Church is modeled after the home not the other way around, so be an example to your family.

How can we repair burned bridges?

Pray. God desires restoration in our relationship with Him and in our earthly relationships. It’s easy to find fault and flaws in others however their greatest need is a right relationship with God, and then let God transform them.

“If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” Romans 12:18

“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3-4

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

“Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” James 5:16

God’s timing is not our timing, His ways are not our ways, and, best of all, His power is not our power. It will take time for others to see your new life in Christ. Our walk should match our talk and if we follow Jesus as the Lord of our life then our actions will show it. We want to be respectful and share the Gospel verbally as God gives the opportunity. Demonstrate hope and faith in God even during the difficulties of life. Pray regularly. Remember we share the Gospel, and God saves.

2Believe Ministries – www.2Believe.net