THE FAMILY PATTERN OF BELIEVING
When the nobleman from Capernaum came to Jesus, begging Him to come to heal his dying son, Jesus said, “Go your way, your son lives.” The man believed the word of Jesus and went his way. As he was going, his servants met him saying, “Your son lives!” When he asked the hour that his son had recovered, the time corresponded to the exact time Jesus had spoken. From that day, the nobleman and his whole household believed in Jesus.
Have you ever noticed this often repeated family pattern of believing in the Bible? The head of the household believes in Jesus and then his whole household believes as well. It’s usually the father of the family, but not always. Sometimes, as in the case of the influential seller of purple in Phillipi named Lydia, it was a woman and her whole household who believed (Acts 16:15). Of course, it was Jesus who told His disciples not to prevent the little children from coming to Him, for such is the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 19:14). So sometimes, it’s the children who come to belief in Jesus first and then the family follows them. The influence of family on believing is strong.
How are you leading your family? How you express your faith has a powerful influence on your family’s faith.
PRAYER: Dear Father, help us understand that our commitment to You also affects our families. Help us to live by faith in front of our families, so that all of them believe. But not only them, but also the families of the world that You have called us to bear witness to. In Jesus’ name, amen.