Topical Encyclopedia The concept of Christians serving as missionaries within their own families is deeply rooted in biblical teachings and the early Christian tradition. The family is often seen as the primary unit of society and a foundational context for spiritual growth and discipleship. Scripture provides numerous examples and instructions that underscore the importance of nurturing faith within the family setting.Biblical Foundation The Bible emphasizes the role of the family in spiritual instruction and the transmission of faith. In Deuteronomy 6:6-7 , Moses instructs the Israelites: "These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." This passage highlights the responsibility of parents to actively engage in the spiritual education of their children, making the home a place of continual learning and growth in the Lord. The New Testament also reinforces this idea. In Ephesians 6:4 , Paul exhorts fathers: "Do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." This verse underscores the importance of nurturing a Christ-centered environment within the family, where children are guided in the ways of the Lord. The Role of Parents as Missionaries Parents are often seen as the primary missionaries within the family. Their role is to model Christ-like behavior and to teach their children about God's love and commandments. Proverbs 22:6 advises, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." This proverb suggests that the spiritual foundation laid by parents has a lasting impact on their children's lives. The Apostle Paul, in his letters to Timothy, commends the faith passed down from Timothy's grandmother Lois and mother Eunice (2 Timothy 1:5). This example illustrates the powerful influence of familial faith and the missionary role that parents and grandparents can play in nurturing the next generation of believers. The Influence of Spouses Spouses also have a significant role in being missionaries to one another. In 1 Peter 3:1-2 , Peter addresses wives, saying, "Wives, in the same way, submit yourselves to your husbands so that, even if they refuse to believe the word, they will be won over without words by the behavior of their wives when they see your pure and reverent demeanor." This passage highlights the potential for a believing spouse to influence an unbelieving partner through their conduct and faithfulness. Children as Missionaries Children, too, can serve as missionaries within the family. Jesus' teaching in Matthew 18:3-4 emphasizes the importance of childlike faith: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Children can often remind adults of the simplicity and purity of faith, encouraging a return to foundational truths. Challenges and Opportunities Being a missionary within the family is not without its challenges. Families may face spiritual apathy, differing beliefs, or external pressures that make it difficult to maintain a Christ-centered home. However, these challenges also present opportunities for growth and reliance on God's strength. Philippians 4:13 assures believers, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength," providing encouragement for those seeking to fulfill their missionary calling within the family. In summary, the Bible presents a compelling case for Christians to view their family as a mission field. Through intentional discipleship, modeling of Christ-like behavior, and reliance on God's guidance, believers can effectively nurture and spread the faith within their own households. Torrey's Topical Textbook Deuteronomy 6:7And 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 up. Torrey's Topical Textbook Psalm 78:5-8 Isaiah 38:19 1 Corinthians 7:16 Library Native Christians (Continued). The Right to Run Things Native Christians. Import of the Great Commission. The Birth of England's Foreign Missions Book Four. The Modern Moravians, 1857-1907. Good Friday Missions; the Inquisition The General Conference of 1832 The Right to a Normal Romance, if Any Resources What is the Good News Mission, and what do they believe? | GotQuestions.orgWhat should be the mission of the church? | GotQuestions.org Are mission boards biblical? | GotQuestions.org Mission: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics All Christians should be As Missionaries in a Holy Example All Christians should be As Missionaries in Admonishing Others All Christians should be As Missionaries in Aiding Ministers in Their Labours All Christians should be As Missionaries in Declaring What God Has Done for Them All Christians should be As Missionaries in Dedicating Themselves to the Service of God All Christians should be As Missionaries in Devoting all Property to God All Christians should be As Missionaries in Encouraging the Weak All Christians should be As Missionaries in First Giving Their own Selves to the Lord All Christians should be As Missionaries in Following Christ All Christians should be As Missionaries in Forsaking all for Christ All Christians should be As Missionaries in Giving a Reason for Their Faith All Christians should be As Missionaries in Hating Life for Christ All Christians should be As Missionaries in Holy Boldness All Christians should be As Missionaries in Holy Conduct All Christians should be As Missionaries in Holy Conservation All Christians should be As Missionaries in Interceding for Others All Christians should be As Missionaries in Inviting Forth God's Praises All Christians should be As Missionaries in Inviting Others to Embrace the Gospel All Christians should be As Missionaries in Joyfully Suffering for Christ All Christians should be As Missionaries in Old Age All Christians should be As Missionaries in Openly Confessing Christ All Christians should be As Missionaries in Preferring Christ Above all Relations All Christians should be As Missionaries in Reproving Others All Christians should be As Missionaries in Seeking the Edification of Others All Christians should be As Missionaries in Showing Forth God's Praises All Christians should be As Missionaries in Talking of God and his Works All Christians should be As Missionaries in Teaching and Exhorting All Christians should be As Missionaries in the Family All Christians should be As Missionaries in Their Intercourse With the World All Christians should be As Missionaries in Visiting and Relieving the Poor, the Sick All Christians should be As Missionaries in Youth All Christians should be As Missionaries with a Superabundant Liberality All Christians should be As Missionaries with a Willing Heart All Christians should be As Missionaries: After the Example of Christ All Christians should be As Missionaries: An Imperative Duty All Christians should be As Missionaries: Andrew All Christians should be As Missionaries: Anna All Christians should be As Missionaries: Apollos All Christians should be As Missionaries: Aquila All Christians should be As Missionaries: As Faithful Stewards All Christians should be As Missionaries: Barnabas All Christians should be As Missionaries: Blessedness of All Christians should be As Missionaries: Captive Maid All Christians should be As Missionaries: Centurion All Christians should be As Missionaries: Chief of the Fathers All Christians should be As Missionaries: Disciples All Christians should be As Missionaries: Encouragement To All Christians should be As Missionaries: from Their Calling As Saints All Christians should be As Missionaries: Hannah All Christians should be As Missionaries: However Weak They May Be All Christians should be As Missionaries: Illustrated All Christians should be As Missionaries: Joanna All Christians should be As Missionaries: Leper All Christians should be As Missionaries: Onesiphorus All Christians should be As Missionaries: Persecuted Saints All Christians should be As Missionaries: Philemon All Christians should be As Missionaries: Philip All Christians should be As Missionaries: Restored Demoniac All Christians should be As Missionaries: Shadrach All Christians should be As Missionaries: Shepherds All Christians should be As Missionaries: The Principle on Which All Christians should be As Missionaries: The Zeal of Hypocrites should Provoke To All Christians should be As Missionaries: The Zeal of Idolaters should Provoke To All Christians should be As Missionaries: Various Individuals All Christians should be As Missionaries: Woman of Samaria All Christians should be As Missionaries: Women and Children As Well As Men Missionary Work by Ministers is According to the Purpose of God Missionary Work by Ministers: Aid Those Engaged In Missionary Work by Ministers: Apostles Missionary Work by Ministers: Be Ready to Engage In Missionary Work by Ministers: Christ Engaged In Missionary Work by Ministers: Christ Sent his Disciples to Labour In Missionary Work by Ministers: Commanded Missionary Work by Ministers: Directed by the Holy Spirit Missionary Work by Ministers: Excellency of Missionary Work by Ministers: God Qualifies For Missionary Work by Ministers: God Strengthens For Missionary Work by Ministers: Guilt and Danger of Shrinking From Missionary Work by Ministers: Harmony should Subsist Amongst Those Engaged In Missionary Work by Ministers: Jonah Missionary Work by Ministers: Levites Missionary Work by Ministers: No Limits to the Sphere of Missionary Work by Ministers: Noah Missionary Work by Ministers: Obligations to Engage In Missionary Work by Ministers: Opportunities For, not to be Neglected Missionary Work by Ministers: Paul Missionary Work by Ministers: Philip Missionary Work by Ministers: Required Missionary Work by Ministers: Requires Wisdom and Meekness Missionary Work by Ministers: Silas Missionary Work by Ministers: Success of a Cause of Joy Missionary Work by Ministers: Success of a Cause of Praise Missionary Work by Ministers: Success of To be Prayed For Missionary Work by Ministers: The Holy Spirit Calls To Missionary Work by Ministers: The Seventy Missionary Work by Ministers: Timotheus Missionary Work by Ministers: Warranted by Predictions Concerning the Heathen Missionary Work by Ministers: Worldly Concerns should not Delay Related Terms |
    |