Christians love to talk about changing the world. Unfortunately what usually happens is that the world changes us instead. You see God did not intend for children to be born into a school or church. They are born into a family for a reason. They need to trained and protected. They need to be given muscle that will be able to stand firm when they are exposed to the winds of this world. So when children are placed with their cultural peers for the majority of their childhood, we shouldn’t be surprised when they embrace the values of their friends, instead of their family.  As families begin to take seriously the task of building a basecamp for their children to climb from, they will indeed begin to overflow into their world.

Contrary to what most grandparents these days tend to believe though, families will not overflow into their world in the same manner. Typically what is expected is for 18 year old son or daughter to do is leave the home and overflow into the world by going to college. After 4 years of worldly exposure, they are supposed to then either continue their educational path or take their place in a career. This path is fraught with minefields. Most often our children are consumed by the culture instead of forging a path by faith.

Families must be equipped to overflow into their world, not as individuals but as families. Families that give their first fruits to the church family. Then reaching out to the world with their unique gifts and abilities.

In the 21^st century it is important that families do indeed overflow into their world in a winsome and loving manner. This takes intentionality, wisdom, and creativity. We don’t even begin to know what this will look like for each family, but we do see some principles to equip your family along the way:

• Live simply- If you and your children have any hope of giving time to ministry and evangelization, you will need to work hard to develop a lifestyle that isn’t debt-ridden and career focused.
• Live boldly- Just because your grandparents and parents made certain decisions on how they would interface with their world, doesn’t mean you have to do the same. Look for ways that your family can engage in the culture war politically, practically, economically, and spiritually.
• Live freely- Take whatever steps you can to free yourself from the increasing governmental and societal constraints that are wrongfully paralyzing the family. Contrary to what our country has grown to believe, the saying doesn’t go, “In government we trust”. God intended for the family to have a great deal of freedom in choosing how they should live and still respect the jurisdiction that government does have in our lives.
• Live wisely- When your family begins to interface with the pagan world, never underestimate the deceptive schemes that Satan will employ to snag the hearts of you and your children. Prayerfully put on the full armor of God and never forget that we are indeed at war with an enemy who is hungry to devour our family.

With all of that being said, “Engage!” Don’t shrink back in fear. But press forward in power, love, and self-discipline. If you have found a practical way to do this, then let us know. We’d love to compile a network of ideas and ways that families can overflow into their world for Jesus Christ.

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