YOUR FAITH,

YOUR FAMILY

esus said, Therefore, everyone who will

acknowledge Me before men, I will also
acknowledge him before My Father in heaven. But
whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before
My Father in heaven (Matt. 10:32-33).
There is no question that being a Christ-follower means
learning to think and act like Jesus. We coin simple phrases
like WWJD as a reminder that Jesus is our model. We sing
songs about Jesus being our King and how our lives are all
about Him.
However, there seems to be a gap between what we
know and what we do when it comes to sharing our faith
with our family. Why do those closest to us sometimes
present the greatest challenges when it comes to sharing
the truths that we know to be life-changing? The idea of
sharing our faith with a stranger on a plane seems romantic,
while the thought of possible confrontation with a family
member seems unbearable.
Perhaps it is the memory of a painful past experience
involving a religious discussion combined with the
realization that we will have to see each other again at
those awkward holiday dinners and family get-togethers.
The truth is that sharing our faith with family members is
difficult and many times can cause us to wonder if it is even
worth the effort.
However, we must remember to look to Jesus as the
founder and perfecter of our faith and not let the fear
of confrontation stop us cold in our evangelistic pursuits
(Heb. 12:2). Recall that even Jesus had difficulty with his
family, to the point that his ministry was limited by their
unbelief. Jesus said to them, A prophet is not without
honor except in his hometown and in his own household.
And he did not do many mighty works there, because of
their unbelief (Matt. 13:57-58).
Let us also remember that our prayers are effective
and will come to fruition in Gods timing (Luke 18:1-4).
Jesus did not stop loving His family, but he also did not
allow their unbelief to detract him from his mission.

Your faith story may guide the

trajectory of your life...but do you know
how to share it with your family?
By Ryan Mason

We see later that his family came to eventual faith and

played a significant role in the life of the early church.
Mary and Jesus brothers were present in the upper
room following the ascension of Christ (Acts 1:13-14).
His brothers James and Jude went on to pen epistles
that bear their names. Jesus understood that, while his
family did not understand him at the time, they would
eventually come to faith and become ardent supporters
of His ministry.
To become like Christ means to rely on Gods power
and timing to accomplish His purposes. Our ultimate
goal is to honor and glorify God in all relationships. That
sometimes means taking some rejection in order that our
family can see God working in us. Jesus did.

AUTHENTIC COMMUNITY
We are all hard-wired for community by our Creator
(Gen. 1:26). We desire belonging, a sense of purpose,
and a safe place to be ourselves. Our families should
be brilliant and indestructible examples of biblical
community. Unfortunately, the number of failed
marriages and broken homes has shattered even the
possibility of such community in the minds of many.
The good news is that Gods mercy and grace can
heal even the deepest wounds. The Bible is full of
examples where Jehovah Rapha (the God that heals)
takes broken people and puts them back together
again. It is never too late to turn to Him and commit to
following His design for you and your family. Start where
you are. Start now. Trust God to show you the way.
Authentic community in our families has to start with
authentic community with the Holy Spirit. Paul refers
to the fellowship of the Holy Spirit or the community
of the Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 13:14). We must build our
lives on Gods blueprint if we are to experience healthy,
authentic community. This means receiving, teaching,
and sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.

32 PARENTING TEENS

Thinkstock

E VEN J ESUS HAD DIFFICU LT Y WITH HIS FAMILY, TO THE

POINT THAT HIS MINISTRY WAS LIMITED BY THEIR U NB ELIEF.
J ESUS SAID TO THEM , A PROPHE T IS NOT WITHOUT HONOR
E XCEPT IN HIS HOM E TOWN AND IN HIS OWN HOUSEHOLD.
AND HE DID NOT DO MANY MIGHT Y WORKS THERE,
B ECAUSE OF THEIR U NB ELIEF (MAT T.13:57-5 8).

NOVEMBER 2013 33

THERE IS SOMETHING TRANSFORMING THAT

HAPPENS WITHIN A FAMILY WHEN THERE IS
A COMMITMENT TO BIBLICAL COMMUNITY. A
FAMILY THAT IS HONEST ABOUT ITS FAITH
AND SUPPORTS ONE ANOTHER ACHIEVES A
DEEPER LEVEL OF RELATIONSHIP.
IT IS NOT ABOUT BEING THE PERFECT
FAMILY OR PRETENDING TO HAVE IT ALL
TOGETHER. IT IS ABOUT A COMMITMENT TO
CHRIST, LEARNING FROM OUR MISTAKES,
AND SHARING OUR STORY ALONG THE WAY.

Our testimony can be one of the most powerful influences

we have when it comes to sharing our faith with family: And
they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by
the word of their testimony (Rev. 12:11). Sharing our story
of Gods unfathomable grace encourages us in our faith
and deepens our sense of community. One thing the early
believers embraced was a commitment to community. Their
lives revolved around koinoniaa committed fellowship,
joint participation, sharing of everything in common. And
they devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and the
fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers (Acts
2:42).
We should pursue this type of community in our family
relationships by sharing Gods goodness in real time. It is
through our testimony that family members can see Gods
purposes being fulfilled. Life happens to all of us at some
point in our journey toward heaven. Our testimony helps
sustain us and serves as a witness to others as we recall Gods
faithfulness in the past and His promises for the future.
There is something transforming that happens within a
family when there is a commitment to biblical community.
A family that is honest about its faith and supports one
another achieves a deeper level of relationship. It is not
about being the perfect family or pretending to have it all
together. It is about a commitment to Christ, learning from
our mistakes, and sharing our story along the way.

The media portrayal of family is often one of gross

dysfunction, but it does not have to be that way. The
popularity of television programs like Duck Dynasty
proves that family can work when it is based on Gods
design. Ive heard it said that there is nothing wrong with
a family that discipleship cannot fix. We must remember
that we become transformed by the renewing of our
minds (Rom. 12:2). That means we must actively study the
Scriptures and allow the Holy Spirit to purify us. We should
pursue a lifestyle that allows the personality and deeds of
Christ to be seen in us wherever we live, work, and play.
This includes our relationship with family members.
As parents we must reclaim our biblical responsibility to
disciple our children. As it says in Deuteronomy:

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THE MOON IN THE MANGO TREE

By Pamela Ewen

Learn about current employment

opportunities by visiting our website at
www.lifeway.jobs

Set in the Roaring Twenties, this richly detailed novel chronicles the life of a
young woman torn between her desire to study and perform opera and her
love for a man. Choosing her love leads Barbara to the jungles of Siam where
her husband serves as the missionary doctor for the local people. It is here that
Barbara struggles to learn what is expected of her as a missionary wife, all the while
becoming enchanted with the local people and their culture.
Based on a true story, Moon in Mango Tree chronicles this young womans struggle
for faith, meaning and purpose for her life.

MARKETING

The Moon in the Mango Tree is old-fashionedI mean that in the best sensetale
of love, adventure faith, and the clash of desire and duty. The writing is wonderful,
the story compelling.
-Brett Lott, Author of Jewel (an Oprahs Book Club pick)
and editor of The Southern Review
Set in exotic Siam and pre-war Europe, this story of a young woman seeking the
truth of herself captured my heart.
-Bev Marshall, Author of Walking Through Shadows and Right as Rain
Praise for Ewans 2005 debut novel, Walk Back the Cat:
Ewan is a gifted writer and I look forward to reading more of her work. This
is Christian fiction at its best. ReaderViews.com
An impressive debut New Orleans Times Picayune

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Thinkstock

34 PARENTING TEENS

RYAN MASON serves as Minister of Education at Hillcrest Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas and loves to write
about real life issues and help others apply biblical
truths to daily living. He is married to Kilie and they are
blessed with two amazing children. Connect with Ryan
on twitter @ryankmason.

LifeWay
LifeWay Church
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You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and
with all your soul and with all your might. And these words
that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall
teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them
when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way,
and when you lie down, and when you rise (Deut. 6:5-6).
The possibility of enjoying authentic community with our
family is measured by the level of our commitment to Christ.
This starts with our personal devotion and then is passed
along to our children, extended family members, and those

We all have a story. It may be that God rescued you

from a pit of despair. Perhaps God saved you from having
to experience the pit at all. Tell the story. Trust that God
is already at work around you and desires that all come to
repentance (2 Pet. 3:9).

Visit www.lifeway.com/ca
or call 615.251.2466.

Pamela Binnings Ewen practiced law for twenty-five years before following in the
authorial footsteps of relatives such as James Lee Burke (The Tin Roof Blowdown)
and Andre Dubus III (The House of Sand and Fog). The Moon in the Mango Tree is her
second novel. Ewen lives in Mandeville, Louisiana.
Release Date: May 1, 2008
ISBN-13: 978-0-8054-4733-0ISBN-10: 0-8054-4733-4
Retail Price: $15.99
Format: Trade paper; Page Count: 480; Trim Size: 5 1/2 x 8 2/5
BISAC: FIC042030 FICTION/Christian/Historical
ECPA Category: Fiction/General/Historical
Rights: Worldwide

Pamela Binnings Ewen

FAMILY DISCIPLESHIP

OUR FAITH SHOULD START

AT HOME. LOOK FOR
OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE
YOUR FAMILY AND LOVE
THEM LIKE JESUS. WE ARE
NEVER MORE LIKE JESUS
THAN WHEN WE BECOME
SERVANTS.

the MOON in the MANGO TREE

OUR TESTIMONY

around us. Part of our commitment to Christ is learning to

share our story with others. Here are some tips to consider.
Live your story. The reason our testimonies are
sometimes not received is because our lives tell a
different story. It is not about being perfect, but it is about
maintaining a faithful witness. Our actions must match our
words. Transparency means admitting failures, asking for
forgiveness, and giving God the credit.
Serve your family. Our faith should start at home. Look
for opportunities to serve your family and love them like Jesus.
We are never more like Jesus than when we become servants.
Ask questions. Let your speech always be gracious,
seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought
to answer each person (Col. 4:6).
Consider asking open-ended questions to help
determine where your family members are in their faith
journeys. There may have been significant events in their
lives that have caused resistance to the gospel. Do not give
the impression that your family members are a spiritual
project. They are people that you deeply care for and desire
to experience both abundant and eternal life in Jesus Christ.
Do not be ashamed. For I am not ashamed of the gospel,
because it is Gods power for salvation to everyone who
believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek (Rom.1:16).

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Julie.Gwinn@bhpublishinggroup.com

www.BHPublishingGroup.com

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