REVIVESample

DAY 5 - REVIVE OUR FAMILIES  

Years of serving in youth ministry has allowed me to meet some incredible young people. So much passion and so much potential all poured into a young life that can change the world. In and amongst all of this purpose, you cannot help but notice the importance of family dynamics over the years. So often, we found that more and more young people came from single parent homes, dysfunctional family backgrounds and histories of all kinds of abuse.

The truth is, that the family unit is one of the foundations of society. It has always been a key building-block in education, learning, support, health and faith. However, over time the lack of value placed on family, the imbalance between work and home life balance and the changes in secular standards have all contributed to the diminishing value on ‘family’ in the eyes of society. The enemy has leveraged these changes to dissolve the strong relationships and responsibilities that are formed in the home. 

Instead of the generations getting stronger and stronger, the family value on faith is getting weaker and weaker. The generation before us grew up in Sunday School, however the generation behind us thinks Sunday School means going to school on Sunday. The time has come for the Spirit of God to be reintroduced into the family home. Parents need to rise up and raise their children in the ways of God. Worship and the Word must become a staple in our homes if we are to raise a generation of world-changers, ground-takers and kingdom-builders.

What this generation needs are more fathers and mothers in the faith.

Spiritual fathers and spiritual mothers raise spiritual sons and spiritual daughters. A teacher might pass on the information, a leader might model the information, but a spiritual parent IMPARTS information that can change a life forever. Spiritual sons and daughters carry the same spirit, the same attitude, the same generosity and the same culture that they were taught, and once they come of age, they impart into the generation that follows. Sons raising sons. Daughters raising daughters. And so, the cycle continues. 

Revival does not just take place in a church building; it also takes place in the home. God wants to move in your life, not just spiritually or corporately, but personally - in your home, in your world, with your relationships and with your family. As God begins to revive the home, prodigal sons and daughters are returning. The Holy Spirit is drawing His children back to him. Those that were lost are being found again and God is reviving His church.

QUESTIONS:

1. Outside of my biological parents, do I have any spiritual fathers and mothers in my life?

2. Is there someone in my world I am raising as a spiritual son or spiritual daughter? 

3. How can I strengthen, encourage, and nurture loving relationships with people in my world?