THE GODLY FAMILY IN THE WORLD MISSION

Chicago CBFIsaac Choi

God

Family

Church

World

Overview  God created the institution of the family as the foundation for all human life. The Great Commission of Jesus is the driving force of the evangelism in Christian church always. The topic of the family and the world mission seem to be quite different each other. However, the Scriptures points out the fact that both of them are connected each other and related very closely one another. In this lecture, we want to find what the definition, purpose of family and world mission are, and how to imply these in our mission-oriented life. Ultimately we may please God by participating in the world mission with joyful family life.

*Two institutions of God: Family and Church According to the O.T., God established the family in the Garden of Eden to carry out his creation purpose. In the N.T. right after Jesus’ ascension, he planted the church to carry out the Risen Jesus’ great commission. Both of them have special and unique purpose in God’s history and throughout generations. *What is main theme of the whole Bible? Fill the earth with worshipers of God(Genesis 1~2)Salvation for sinful mankind thru love(Genesis 3) *Then, what is the theme of the Old Testament?

“Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine,  you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.” (Ex 19:5-6)

Building God’s chosen people for the coming of Messiah (a kingdom of priests and a holy nation)

*How about of the New Testament? Jesus’ gospel, his death on the cross & resurrection from the dead

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Mt 28:19-20)

(go and make disciples of all nations)

*God’s first blessing and commandment (Gen 1:28)

“God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.’” Be fruitful & increase in number—produce childrenFill the earth & subdue it--cultivate & pioneer natureRule over---stewardship(not only blessing, but also assignments of function)

*How to fulfill God’s commandment? ‘The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”’(Gen 2:18)

‘So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said,“This is now bone of my bones    and flesh of my flesh;she shall be called ‘woman,’    for she was taken out of man.”That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.’ (Gen2:21-25)

Establishing family by marriage

Marriage based on a mission (biblical concept of marriage)Marriage is all about the great commission. Husband and wife are to love, lead & help each other grow spiritually. 

‘The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.’ (Gen 2:15)

1)Mission

To work itTo take care of it

2)Union between a man & a woman produces childrenGodly offspring (Mal 2:15)Succession of multi-generations

Therefore, God has formed men in family(small group as a basic unit).God created the institution of the family as the foundation for all humanlife, in all places and in all times.

*Man’s fall (Gen 3)Sin (disobedient to God) came & spread into the world and God’s salvation work began.The consequence of sin1) Painful toil for food 2) Painful labor in childbearing 3) Return to dust *How to build family?1. God calls Abram

 This was to build up one person & form a nation thru him. God would prepare the whole world to accept the Savior thru that nation. When God’s time came, he would send the Messiah, Jesus & save the world thru him.

God called one person, Abram but his whole family.

Man Family Nation

World

‘The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.“I will make you into a great nation,    and I will bless you;I will make your name great,    and you will be a blessing.I will bless those who bless you,    and whoever curses you I will curse;and all peoples on earth    will be blessed through you.” ’ (Gen 12:1-3) 

 3. God’s mission for Abraham (Gen 18:19) What did God want Abraham to do in response to his global & multi-generational vision? “For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.” Abraham was responsible for teaching his children righteousness and justice so that they might enjoy God’s blessings. (It is important for Abraham to know how God’s righteousness was at work in judgment.)  

2. Multi-generational covenants (Gen 17:7) 

 God emphasizes that his plan for the world is a family, extended family, and multi-generational plan. 

 “I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.” 

Ab

IsaacJacob

12 sons

4. The first & greatest commandment (Dt 6:5, Mt 22:37) “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” This is our purpose of life. We glorify God by loving him with our whole being. Immediately following the greatest commandment, God focuses our attention on family life on Dt 6:6-7. “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”  1) Pass parent’s faith to their children (role model)2) Impress the hearts of your children with a love for God (teach repeatedly)3) Not information, but life-oriented (to see God in all aspects of life) How can I pass faith and a love for God to my children?How: Talk about What: A love for GodWhen: Sit at home, walk along the road, lie down and get upAnswer: Family discipleship

5. Multi-generational vision in family (Ps 78:5-8) “He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands. They would not be like their ancestors – a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirit were not faithful to him.” The Psalms and Proverbs are filled with God’s words about family life. In Ps 78, God gives us a powerful pictures of parents and grandparents discipling their children. 6. Why God hates divorce (Mal 2:15) “Has not the God made you? You belong to him in body and spirit. And what does the one God seek? Godly offspring. So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful to the wife of your youth.” Marriage is a disciple-making institution. So, husband and wife, they are to make it their top mission priority to ‘make disciples’ of their children.

7. Final words in the Old Testament (Mal 4:5-6) “See I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land and total destruction.” It is the ultimate expression of the Father’s love to his children.Once again, God connects his plan of salvation with the institution of the family. *How to begin the church 1. Jesus’ life and ministry (4 gospel) Born in a manger (conceived by HS to the virgin)Proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of GodRaising 12 disciplesHealing the sick and driving out impure spiritPromising the second coming as the JudgeCrucified on the cross for the sin of the worldResurrection from the deadGreat CommissionAscension

2. The Great Commission (Mt 28:19-20) “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Jesus parallels, reiterates and expands God’s first commandment 

First commandment-------------Great CommissionGen 1:28-----------------------------Mt 28:19-20Be fruitful & increase-------------Make disciplesFill the earth------------------------Of all nationsSubdue it----------------------------Teaching them to obey I have commanded you

 God’s plan has been the same from the beginning. He is filling the earth with his worshippers. He has chosen his institution of family as an essential component to carry out his plan.

As we have seen throughout God’s word, marriage, the family, and raising godly children are all connected to the Great Commission.

God has given us spiritual responsibilities with our children who are higher priority than our spiritual opportunities with our neighbors.

3. The 2nd God’s institution, church 

  

Church’s three actions1) Go2) Baptize3) Teach

 After Jesus’ ascension, God established the church as a believers’ community. The Great Commission is the driving force of missions and evangelism for believers and churches in every generation. To achieve its mandate to make disciples-the Lord commanded his followers to engage in three actions–go, baptize and teach--that became the basic for global church practice.

Church functions (Acts 2:38-47): 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

1) Evangelism (38-47)2) Discipleship (42-43)3) Fellowship (42, 46-47)4) Ministry (44-45)5) Worship (46-47) 

4. Missionary for world mission (Acts 13:2-3) 

First missionaries from the Antioch church

 “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.”

The godly family in the world mission 1) God created family to be discipleship.2) God created the family as an essential engine of world evangelization.3) The family ministry in the O.T. is parent to children in vertical relationship oriented. On the other hands, the church ministry in the N.T. is man to man in horizontal relationship oriented.

Parent to children(OT)

Man to man(NT)

Orientation Blood & flesh Human

Devotion(commitment)

Strong Weak

Range Narrow(single) Wide(multiple)

Method Vertical Horizontal

World mission Weak Strong

Biblical Yes Yes

4) In order to carry out successful world mission without missing anyone, we would better practice these two ways of evangelism based on the Bible.

Parents

Children

Men