Our calling
A Christian is a steward of people, but often they only concentrate on the public instead of their own family, especially their extended family. When Joshua uses the phrase “But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15) we immediately think that he is referring to the people living in his house but the word “house” in this verse is translated to “family”. Neglecting your extended family could be the cause of another verse found in Luke 4:24, “Truly I tell you,” He continued, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown.” It may seem to be more difficult to preach to those that saw you grow up and saw all your flaws, but that doesn’t give you the escape route not to do God’s will.
The Lord wants us to reach the lost and we must take advantage of the fact that our families are closer to us than those who we don’t know. When we approach our families, we can talk about personal topics that we wouldn’t normally bring up in a conversation with a stranger. Therefore, in the Bible most of the time when Jesus would heal or help someone with an evil spirit that person would immediately go to their family. If we concentrate on our family, churches would be filled with new converts because of the success rate. Preaching to the family is better than handing a stranger a pamphlet with a sermon written on it. Often times we see this as doing God’s work, and it is, but it’s not as effective as breaking bread in the house of a family member or friend. The Bible states “Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart.” (Acts 2:46)
Sin affects families
As we observe scripture, we can conclude that families were affected by sin and broken relationships. Here is a list of a few families that were hurt by their own family members.
- Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:1-14)
- Joseph and his brothers (Genesis 37:1-36)
- Jacob and Esau (Genesis 27:1-45)
Ultimately God wants us to have a better relationship with our families. Since the beginning of time the devil has tried to divide families and he is still doing that effectively. Our Job is to help break generational curses and bring families together spiritually.
There are six steps you must practice when reaching your family.
Demonstrate God’s love
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
Lead by example
“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony;
and they loved not their lives unto the death.” (Revelation 12:11)
Be consistent
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD
your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)
Pray and fast for them
“However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” (Mathew 17:21)
Give them Bible studies
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to
the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)
All these steps are important and needed in order to be able to help your family to have a
relationship with God. I’ve saved the most important step for last and that is;
Don’t judge them
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”
Mathew 7:1-5
While there is no perfect way to reach your family, the most important thing is not to give up on them.
God bless you.