The Great Comission is larger than Foreign Missions. Discipling the nations starts in the home. Covenantal Evangelism. What is the Covenant? God entering into relationship with His people. Timothy’s conversion vs. Paul’s conversion. The means of grace. Sending forth the next generation.
Text: 2 Timothy 3:14-17
When we think of “missions” we typically think of getting our shots and passport in order, traveling to far away foreign lands, and preaching to natives in steamy jungle huts. This type of missionary effort is certainly encouraged by our Lord (cf. Matthew 28:18-20). But, perhaps our overall paradigm for “missions” needs to be expanded to a much broader and deeper perspective.
There is a mission field that is much closer to us than Japan, Guatemala, or India–it is within our own families and to our own family members. Missionary efforts in this area could truly be considered “home missions” or “covenantal missions”.
How unfortunate it would be if we were so consumed with winning others to Christ in far away places, that we neglected to bring up our own children “in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (cf. Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Joshua 4:6-7; Psalm 78:4; Ephesians 6:4). What also of those aged family members who do not know the Lord?
These are sobering thoughts not designed to produce evangelical guilt, but to cause us to reexamine our priorities in the light of Scriptural truth. Let us purpose in our hearts to thoroughly acquaint our “little ones”, and all others within our family, with the Bible—for it always points to Christ.
[podcast]http://www.download.covenantfamilychurch.net/2008/mp3/2008_11_9_missions_to_every_son_and_daughter.mp3[/podcast]