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Where there is No Vision, Families Perish

1/2/2021

Your family will perish if you have no vision. (Proverbs 29:18)

What I mean is you are going to get what you get if you continue to do what you do with no plan. We will continue to wander in the wilderness expecting the same results by doing the same things.

How is it that we have a vision for our churches and our businesses, but no vision for our families?

Years ago, our family was transformed when went through Family iD by Gregg Gunn. It gave me handles as a father and a husband in attempting to lead my family spiritually.

Again, this last week, we are renewing our vision for 2021 asking the Lord how He would have us live and serve. So we are asking us and our church these questions:
1. What is your vision for 2021? Dream about what you would like your family to look like spiritually at the end of 2021. What steps need to be pursued to accomplish that goal.
2. What is your mission for 2021? Where is God calling us to serve outside the walls of the church to advance the kingdom?
3. What scripture will be your theme for 2021 that encompasses your goal as a family?
4. What song will you adopt for 2021 as your anthem?

Families fail because there is no intentionality. There is no intentionality to pursue Christ (other than attend church). There is no intentionality to work on our marriages. There is no intentionality to parent our kids towards godliness.

How is it we are more intentional in our businesses and churches, but we “live aloof” in our homes.

Some mistake it as legalism. Some don’t see eternity hanging in the balance. Some just see it as too much work.

If we are better at accomplishing goals and agendas in our businesses and churches more than our families, we will perish and the worries of the world will create one of three seeds found in Mark 4:

1. Road seeds: they are just hearers of the Word or Sunday morning only seeds. They forget it once they cross over the threshhold of the church to the world.

2. Shallow seeds-they immediately receive it with joy, endure for a little while and when trouble or persecution comes because of the Word, they stumble and fall away.

These are caused sometimes by camp or big events. (Please hear me: I am not against camp or big events...it’s an unfortunate reality and reminds us of the desperate need for accountability and discipleship-and this can’t be put squarely on the shoulders of pastors/youth pastors/children’s pastors.). It’s our fault as parents and as the church(older men and women in the church who should be discipling but are still drinking milk) that we have not come alongside you—the youth pastor and children’s pastors.

3. Seeds planted among thorns-they have heard the Word but the worries and cares and wealth and fame of this world causes them to choke out the word of God/ignore God. This happens when God becomes an extracurricular activity rather than a lifestyle.

Seeds planted among thorns have turned Christianity into a form of Hinduism or turns God into a friend with benefits. They only come to God when they need something.

Planting our kids in good soil is our goal: they hear the Word, accept it and bear fruit-they live it out. Christianity is not an extracurricular activity but a lifestyle.

AND..... This takes effort.

Be intentional in praying over our families. Be intentional in establishing Bible reading in your family (don’t just leave it up to your pastor, children’s pastor or youth pastor)

One resource we use to help us plant our seeds (our kids) in good soil is Leaders in Training. It’s a resource that helps establish a love for the Word of God and establishes a desire for the Mission of God. Check out leadersintraining.com.

Also check out Family ID with Greg Gunn to help you pursue purpose for your family.

As you consider this, know that we as a family haven’t arrived or figured it out. We have the same struggles as you do.

There are times we struggle.

There are weeks we miss international family time.

There are times when I Simply don’t want to lead my family spiritually-there is a great battle between my flesh and His Spirit.

There are times I feel that I am not adequate.

There are times I feel like I suck at being a spiritual leader.

There are times when I just want to leave it up to the church to do my responsibility.

There will be dozens of other ways the enemy will attack you, but know your home is your first mission field. God has given you arrows to shape (Psalm 127).

The God of the universe has entrusted us (how scary) to intentionally love, lead and disciple our family!

Let’s Go!

The life and times of anORDINARY MISSionary

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The life and times of an
ORDINARY MISSionary