QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
Question: What do we pray in the first petition of the Lord’s Prayer?
Answer: In the first petition, “Hallowed by thy name,” we pray that God would enable us and others to glorify him in all of life and that he would dispose all things to his own glory.
Scripture: Matthew 6:9; Isa; 67:1-3; Rom 11:36; Rev 4:11; 1 Cor 10:31
WHEN I TALK TO DEB; WHAT I REALLY MEAN… PART 2
(It is really complicated talking to my wife)
"Go ask your mother."
Really means.... "I am incapable of making a decision."
"You know how bad my memory is."
Really means.... "I remember the theme song to 'F Troop', the line-up for the 1963 Yankees and the Vehicle Identification Numbers of every car I've ever owned, but I forgot your birthday."
"Oh, don't fuss. I just cut myself, it's no big deal."
Really means.... "I have actually severed a limb, but will bleed to death before I admit I'm hurt."
"I do help around the house."
Really means.... "I once put a dirty towel in the laundry basket."
"Hey, I've got my reasons for what I'm doing."
Really means.... "And I sure hope I think of some pretty soon."
"I can't find it."
Really means.... "It didn't fall into my outstretched hands, so I'm completely clueless."
"What did I do this time?"
Really means.... "What did you catch me at?"
"What do you mean, you need new clothes?"
Really means.... "You just bought new clothes 3 years ago."
"I heard you."
Really means.... "I haven't the foggiest clue what you just said, and am hoping desperately that I can fake it well enough so that you don't spend the next 3 days yelling at me."
"You look terrific."
Really means.... "Oh please don't try on one more outfit. I'm starving."
"I brought you a present."
Really means.... "It was free ice scraper night at the ball game."
"I missed you."
Really means.... "I can't find my sock drawer, the kids are hungry and we are out of toilet paper."
"I'm not lost. I know exactly where we are."
Really means.... "No one will ever see us alive again."
"We share the housework."
Really means.... "I make the messes, she cleans them up."
"Of course I like it, honey, you look beautiful."
Really means.... "Oh, man, what have you done to yourself?"
"I don't need to read the instructions."
Really means.... "I am perfectly capable of messing it up without printed help."
"I'll fix the garbage disposal later."
Really means.... "If I wait long enough you'll get frustrated and buy a new one."
"I'll take you to a fancy restaurant."
Really means.... "Someplace that doesn't have a drive-thru window."
Developing a Family Mission Statement
The following is an excerpt from Michael S. Wilder’s chapter, “Building Missional Families,” in the forthcoming book, Trained in the Fear of God: Biblical Foundations for Family Ministry, edited by Randy Stinson and Timothy Paul Jones.
When I think of establishing a gospel-centered purpose for my family, I am drawn to the words that Joshua spoke to the nation of Israel at Shechem. The occasion of the public gathering was a covenant renewal before the Lord. Israel was reminded of God’s faithfulness to his chosen people through the generations and his expectation of their faithfulness in serving Yahweh and rejecting the false gods of the land. It is in this context that Joshua declares “as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Josh 24:15). Here, Joshua leaves no room for his family to acquiesce to the gods of the people around them.
Neither should we leave any room in our family life for chasing after the idols of this world. Our earthly sojourn is a limited one and every moment must be redeemed for the cause of Christ. It is said of Joshua, after his death, that he was “the servant of the Lord” (Josh. 24:29).
This leader of Israel knew that serving the Lord entailed more than individual faithfulness; to serve the Lord is to serve together. One of the primary places that believers practice serving together is in the context of the Christian family. Such service has a lasting effect on children. Strong relationships exist between the Christian commitment of parents- particularly fathers’ service in the church- and their children’s continued participation in church after high school. Not surprisingly, family meals and family discussions about faith during teenage years also impact whether young adults continue in church.[1]
But how, at a practical level, can families develop a clear vision for how they will be used in God’s service and mission? Here is one simple possibility: Develop a family mission statement. The precise process of developing such a statement may vary from family to family. The parents in the household, and particularly the father, are ultimately responsible for the content and implementation of this statement. At the same time, this is a process that your family can undertake together.
As you consider the process, do recall that God has already made his central mission clear in the ministry of Jesus: His mission is his own glory (John 17:1-5, 22-24). Rightly understood, any Christian family’s mission statement could begin with “Our family exists to glorify God by… .” With that in mind, here’s one way to begin the process of developing a clear mission statement for your family:
- Discuss your values. Ask your family what is most important to each of them and record the answers.
- Evaluate your values. Ask your family to evaluate each response in light of Scripture. Rework or eliminates responses that are not in agreement with Scripture. Together, perhaps over a few weeks, pray and reflect on what will become your family’s core values.
- Compose your family mission statement. As a husband and wife, allow the Scriptures to shape the direction and language of your family’s mission statement (see, for example, Gen. 12:1-3, 18:19; Josh. 24:15; 1 Kings 2:1-4; 1 Cor. 16:15). If you have children, discuss the statement with them; clarify your family’s expectations based on this Scripturally-shaped statement. How your family will engage in outreach and evangelism should be essential to this statement.
- Make a family commitment. Work with the entire family to memorize the family mission statement.
- Establish a game plan. Parents- and especially fathers- must take the initiative in planning and setting goals to implement the mission statement in specific ways in daily living.
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[1] Wesley Black, “Stopping the Dropouts: Guiding Adolescents toward a Lasting Faith Following High School Graduation,” Christian Education Journal: Series 3, Volume 5, Number 1: 34. See also Wes Black, “Youth Ministry That Lasts: The Faith Journey of Young Adults,” The Journal of Youth Ministry, 4, no 2: 19-48.
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Michael S. Wilder (Ph.D., The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is Assistant Professor and Associate Dean of Doctoral Studies in the School of Church Ministries at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
(Next week I will share the family mission statement Deb and I put together over 10 years ago)
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