A Dream FamilySample

A Dream Family is Intentional

Joshua was the succession plan of Moses and God. No doubt he felt the weight of leadership to follow the one who defeated Pharaoh and parted the seas for God’s people to be set free. He leaned into the Word of God for his courage and strength (Joshua 1:8). Wisely, he also set a clear course for his family to know what to expect as Joshua followed God’s calling into a great adventure of faith and obedience. Joshua was God’s chosen leader to lead His people, but His choice of a servant’s loving leadership started in Joshua's home. First and foremost, he and his household served the Lord!

I remember as a new husband and father, not knowing what I was doing. Unsure and insecure. But one thing I did know for sure: I desperately, deep in my heart, longed for my family to serve the Lord. Not in the vocational sense, but in our home and with our lives. I began to learn that my heart’s desire for my family to serve the Lord was not enough to be a dream family. But it was enough to be intentional as a family to be who God wanted us to become: His beloved family who was in the process of becoming like Jesus in how we loved one another. Being intentional meant every day setting a course that moved toward being loved and loving (Philippians 3:13-14).

What are some ways for you to be intentional with your family to follow hard after God?

Maybe you start by planning your calendar over the next twelve months with events like weekly church attendance, family devotionals, church camp, a mission trip, or hosting friends in your home for your family to be intentional in spiritual growth and serving others. Most of all, model your daily time of prayer, Bible reading/reflection, and worship. Intentional families flourish!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, give me discernment in how to serve my family in a way that is intentional with your ways, through Christ’s love and in Jesus’ name, amen.