Building stronger families, strengthening the local church and helping to fulfil the Unleashing Agenda What if one of the most important places for the future of the Church isn't the church building at all? What if it is the home? The book of Deuteronomy reminds us that faith is something we are called to pass …
Building stronger families, strengthening the local church and helping to fulfil the Unleashing Agenda
What if one of the most important places for the future of the Church isn’t the church building at all?
What if it is the home?
The book of Deuteronomy reminds us that faith is something we are called to pass from one generation to the next. As Moses prepared the people of Israel to enter the Promised Land, he reminded them that knowing God couldn’t simply be about what happened at a gathering. It had to become part of everyday life.
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”
Deuteronomy 6:5 (NIV)
Moses instructed the Israelites not to forget God’s words:
“Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
Deuteronomy 6:7 (NIV)
That’s a powerful picture of a godly home.
Faith isn’t just something we teach our children; it is something they should see lived out. They should see us pray, forgive, serve, trust God and make decisions according to His Word.
Raising God-Fearing Families
Being a God-fearing family doesn’t mean being a perfect family. It means creating a home where God is respected, Jesus is followed and faith is part of everyday life.
Deuteronomy 6:2 speaks of God’s desire that His people would fear Him across generations – “you, your children and their children after them”.
Deuteronomy 6:2, NIV.
Every generation has a responsibility to pass something on.
The question is: what are we passing on?
Our children need more than knowledge about Christianity. They need to see authentic faith. They need to know that following Jesus isn’t just something we do on Sunday – it shapes how we live every day.
Strong Homes build Strong Churches
The responsibility for discipleship belongs to both the home and the local church. The church equips and supports families, while families reinforce that discipleship throughout the week.
When families pray, serve, encourage one another and intentionally raise disciples, the local church becomes stronger.
And this connects directly to the Unleashing Agenda – our calling to live as disciples and help others encounter Jesus.
Jesus said:
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations.”
Matthew 28:19 (NIV)
We don’t simply want to raise children who attend church. We want to raise disciples who can become disciple-makers.
A child who learns to pray can grow into someone who prays for others. A young person who learns to serve can become someone who serves their community. A family that talks about Jesus can become a family that naturally shares His love with others.
What Kind of Legacy Are We Building?
Deuteronomy 30:19 gives us a powerful challenge:
“Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.”
Deuteronomy 30:19 (NIV)
Our choices today can influence generations tomorrow.
Let’s build homes where faith takes root, where God’s Word is valued, where prayer is normal and where Jesus is genuinely at the centre.
Strong homes help build strong churches. Strong churches are better equipped to reach their communities. And together, we can fulfil the call to make disciples and unleash the Gospel.
A Prayer for Our Homes
Father, thank You for our families. Help us to make our homes places where You are honoured and Your love is evident. Give us wisdom to raise children and young people who know and love You. Strengthen our families so they can strengthen Your Church. Help us to live as authentic disciples and courageously share the Gospel with those around us. May the faith we live today become a foundation for generations to come. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
