In a casual survey I conducted over social media, I asked people (my friends) what are their family’s bonding activities. The following answers were given in order of frequency from the least to the most common: singing, shopping, worshipping, chatting, watching movies/shows, playing indoors, and engaging in sports. The top three were traveling, cooking, and eating. We all love to be part of families that take time to be together.
This led me to think further about why God established the home. While closeness characterizes family dynamics, I wondered if there could be more to being closely knitted together. My personal bible study on this matter identified the following purposes:
- Multiplication of God-likeness. In Genesis 1.27-28, our Creator intended physical reproduction and character replication. It is in the home that He wishes parents to pass on His divine image of love, righteousness, and holiness.
- Marriage fulfillment. Children are God’s heritage, as mentioned in Psalm 127, and a blessing, according to Psalm 113.9. No wonder couples naturally seek to have offspring as recipients of their desire to give. Nothing is more fulfilling than giving oneself to another.
- Maturity and readiness. While the school contributes to learning and prepares the students to become responsible, the home is the best environment to grow the well-being of every family member. Spiritual maturity is best experienced in the circle of a family’s love. God dealt with homes to teach truths of His salvation (1 Peter 2.2). The Bible is replete with these families—Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and David, to mention a few.
- Mission/Ministry involvement. I think this is God’s ultimate purpose of establishing our homes (Genesis 12.1-3). Being involved together as a family in sharing God’s salvation plan perpetuates God’s selfless act of giving. The first half of family life allows the parents to equip their children to participate in God’s mission. The second half, when children mature, gives them the opportunity to meet and lead other families to Christ.
Ellen White summarizes these divine purposes in her book, Adventist Home, page 32:
“One well-ordered, well-disciplined family tells more in behalf of Christianity than all the sermons that can be preached. Such a family gives evidence that the parents have been successful in following God’s directions, and that their children will serve Him in the church. Their influence grows; for as they impart, they receive to impart again. The father and mother find helpers in their children, who give to others the instruction received in the home. The neighborhood in which they live is helped, for in it they have become enriched for time and for eternity.”
The family, our families, are God’s best expression of His image, character, dynamics, love, and purpose. If you are that family in its second half, consider coming together and working towards your mission statement. Discover together what you’d like to accomplish for God, where would you like to labor, or who would you like to reach. If you pray about it, the Holy Spirit can lead you to God’s calling.
Maybe it’s time to refocus your family’s interests (not just among yourself) on missions. Turn your next family trip, hike, or vacation to a mission-based event. Your family’s creativity is your limit. Here are some ideas to start with:
- Hiking with tract distribution
- Birthday celebration in an orphanage, sharing favorite treats
- Family travel or road trip with a Sabbath worship
What’s your next family adventure?
