“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom the whole family in Heaven and on earth derives its name.” Eph. 3:14-15 (NIV)

I used to love singing an old Gaither song called The Family of God. The chorus went like this: “I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God, I’ve been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His blood; Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod; I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God.”

I remember looking around at my church family as we sang that song feeling genuinely glad to be part of this family of God. With all its flaws, the sense of belonging I felt, and the love that flowed from that family was truly sweeter than honey and the honeycomb. Even as a child and teenager, I felt valued by and connected to my church family.

God’s gift of family is a precious gift, but one that is being rapidly disassembled in this generation. The gift of family is not just about blood relatives….well, on second thought, maybe it is. In His amazing wisdom and love, Christ’s blood poured out for us on a Cross birthed a worldwide family of born-again brothers and sisters. We are joint heirs together in Jesus—blood relatives. While our immediate family is a special gift, to miss the treasure of being part of the greater family of God is like having a birthday cake without candles, ice cream and a party.

Recent research suggests that less than 4% of those children who grew up in the church will remain in the church as adults. Grandparents, these are our children and grandchildren we’re talking about. It is imperative that we help them experience the indescribable blessing and privilege it is to be part of a family of God before it is too late. It is my earnest prayer that my grandchildren and your grandchildren may genuinely delight, as I did growing up, in singing, “I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God!”

So, how do we do that? Here are three actions that can make a difference in how your children and grandchildren view the family of God:

1. Guard against speaking negatively in front of them about what goes on in your church or any other church. Speak respectfully about the music, preaching, people and programs so they understand that the family God is not about personal preferences, but God’s purposes for the common good.      

2. Go out of your way to exalt the blessings and privileges of being part of God’s family, even when things aren’t how you like them. Read Ephesians 4 together and talk about what it means for each part to do its work.
3. Welcome hard questions, but avoid clichéd responses. Establish an environment that feels safe to ask the hard questions and express doubts, whether about church, the Bible or other struggles, without condemnation. They don’t need a bunch of old bobbing heads regurgitating irrelevant cliches.

GRANDPAUSE: “From a generational perspective, the older generation must be careful not to exasperate or provoke the younger generations. Otherwise they may ‘lose heart’ for the church and for Christ.” — Gary McIntosh; One Church, Four Generations

Leave a comment. Share some ideas of ways you promote healthy attitudes and involvement in the family of God.