Family By God's Design

As we finally move to the true source of the family, we find God Himself. God designed the family to reflect His glory and draw people to Him. Is it any wonder that Satan has waged an all-out attack on the family? He certainly rejoices in broken marriages and broken homes. The more he can destroy the family, the more people he can tear away from God.

We need to reclaim the family for God. That reclamation must begin in the church. If we simply allow our families to be pulled into the cultural drift of self-focus and the resulting disconnection, we will lose the battle for our families and our children. The intentional Christian family moves upstream toward the True Source of the family. The intentional Christian family works to move toward the True Source and, in so doing, becomes a celebrating community of honor and grace.

A celebrating community of honor and grace…. This definition has three characteristics of the intentional Christian family: honor, grace, and celebrating community. These three qualities separate the intentional Christian family from the world and the prevailing culture and reclaim the family for Christ.

A Celebrating Community of Honor and Grace

This book focuses on the intentional Christian family as a celebrating community of honor and grace. The first section will explore the intentional Christian family as a place of honor, reflecting the image of God. Family members “give preference to one another in honor” (Romans 12:10). Each family member humbly gives the needs and interests of other family members priority equal to or above his own. The members honor one another by valuing and cherishing each other, submitting to one another’s requests, and learning of one another’s interests. Intentional Christian families show honor by recognizing each family member’s strengths and giving thanks to one another.

The second section will focus on the intentional Christian family as a place of grace, a place where family members give generously to one another with no expectations of repayment. Instead of giving with a “tit for tat” attitude, members of the intentional Christian family give one another the best of their time, effort, and forgiveness with no strings attached. Gracious family members not only forgive each other’s offenses but repay insult with blessing. They speak to one another with grace-filled words.

The third section will focus on the intentional Christian family as a celebrating community. More than any other group of people, Christians have reason to celebrate. Honor and grace lay the foundation for the intimate fellowship of celebration. Routines and rituals emphasize the priorities of honoring one another and growing in relation to one another.

So hop in the boat, grab an oar, and join me upstream to explore the family by God’s design: a celebrating community of honor and grace.