God’s Purpose for Family
The Right Question
We can try to answer the question of “What is a family?” based on our culture or society, but that is an ever-moving target. A frustrated parent may ask, “What am I supposed to do with my impossible teenager?” The real question is “What did God intend the family to do?” We need to answer this vital question in order to be biblically informed, prepared and intentional in our parenting.
The Biblical Answer
After finally entering the Promised Land, the Israelites dropped the ball and failed to do what God intended for them to do. Judges 2:6-15 records that the first generation of parents did not pass on their faith. “There arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord or the work that He had done for Israel.” The instructions for parents are found in Deuteronomy 6.
“You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” Deuteronomy 6:7 (ESV)
Christian parents have unique opportunities to teach their children during day to day experiences. You can answer questions as they are asked. As you watch TV, listen to music, observe people at ball games, read books. Formal classrooms are like vacuums. They are separated from real life. God intended the family to be a learn community. Parents are called to be His primary teachers.
Unlimited Opportunities
Every moment of family life should be seen as a teaching moment. No matter what else you do in your family, it is your responsibility to make sure that it is functioning as an effective learning community.Instead of despairingly viewing situations as problems or something to get through, we can see them as unique chances to teach godly wisdom and reveal who God is. Conflicts, doubt, questions, confusion, difficulty, unity division, joy, sorrow, work, leisure, relationship, obedience, rebellion, hope fear, laughter, authority, and submission are amazing moments in family life that can be used by God if we are willing teachers.
Those moments may come on the way to the hardware store, coming home from school, or when your teen mutters that they look hideous. We need to be plugged in daily to God’s Word in order to be ready to grab the opportunities to teach and encourage our children.
I’m praying for you! Let me know how I can help or better serve you and your family.
in HIS service,
Pastor Mark
P.S. The themes and main ideas come from Paul David Tripp’s book “Age of Opportunity”. I’m summarizing what I read, adding my own thoughts and Scripture too.
You can read past posts on our church website HERE.