Family Evangelism

Currently, it appears that the tide of Christianity is receding in our Western nations. These lands, which once flourished with the gospel and were established upon a biblical worldview, have now turned from truth and embraced error. The current situation leads to two possible responses from Christians.

One group looks around and sees everything worsening, so they decide to do nothing. I have met people who have told me there is no use in sharing the gospel or working to spread truth in the nation, as sooner or later the rapture will occur and take us away (not all believers in the rapture think this way).

The second group sees the decline of Christianity and realises that the only solution is the gospel. They desire to be salt and light, even though things are not looking healthy for the Church. I am firmly in this second group; I do not believe all hope is lost. I think God has left us here to spread His fame and glory. But the question we need to ask is, “How can we arrest the decline of Christianity and turn things around?”

As a student of history, I know that what we currently face in the twenty-first century is not something new, even though some try to make out that our situation is darker than ever before (it is not!). If we could go back to the mid-17th century, we would discover that the Baptists, who were suffering great persecution, were wrestling with the same question we seek to answer. They looked around their nation and saw a land that had experienced reformation and revival, now in decline. As these godly men considered their situation, they suggested one of the reasons for the decline, and they also offered a solution.

In the preface to the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith, these Baptist giants wrote:

"And verily there is one spring and cause of the decay of religion in our day which we cannot but touch upon and earnestly urge a redress of, and that is the neglect of the worship of God in families by those to whom the charge and conduct of them is committed."

As these godly men looked around at the outgoing tide of Christianity in the 17th century, they identified one contributing factor: the neglect of family worship. That is, there was a decline in families gathering together in their homes to read God’s Word.

In many ways, the 17th-century Church is like the 21st-century Church in that we think going to church on Sunday is enough. Then, through the week, we do our own thing and do not give much thought to God or His Word. This practice ultimately leads to societal decline and a decrease in Christianity in the land, as a whole generation of young people grows up with little exposure to the truth of Scripture.

The solution then, and now, is that we need to engage in a form of ‘family evangelism.’ Do not, for a moment, presume that your children are Christians just because they attend church with you on Sundays or watch Christian cartoons. Growing up in a Christian home has many benefits, but saving faith cannot be transferred by descent. We need to realise that our children are sinners in need of the Saviour, and unless they repent and trust in Christ, they will be lost.

I have met far too many Christian parents who assume their children are saved simply because the parents are converted. I remember listening to an elder mock the notion that children of Christian parents are ‘sinners,’ as in his mind, his children were fine simply because they attended church on Sundays and the parents knew Jesus. Such assumptions are dangerous and will lead many to Hell, even though they think they are right with God (Matthew 7:21–23).

We need to engage in ‘family evangelism.’ That is, we must take the time to teach our children the Scriptures, explain the gospel to them, pray for their salvation, and call on them to repent and believe. This is nothing new or radical. It was promoted by the Baptists in the 17th century, but they were simply reinforcing what God had already instructed in the days of Moses.

In Deuteronomy 6:6–7, we read:

These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

In the Old Testament, God commanded His covenant people to ensure their children learned the truth of Scripture. Daily, God’s Word was to be opened, with the family being instructed. What is being described here is a slow form of evangelism. Little by little, day by day, the entire family is exposed to the Word of God, which will make our children (and other family members) wise unto salvation (2 Timothy 3:15).

If you are a parent, then your children have been entrusted to you by the Lord. Your role is to ensure your child knows the gospel. I know it is a challenge, but we must be faithful in instructing our children in the truth. One way we can do this is through regular family worship. All people, including our children, are born dead in sin (Ephesians 2:1) and in need of the Saviour. If we want our children to know Jesus, then we must tell them about Him. To fail to teach God’s Word to our family is a severe case of dereliction of duty and a great sin.

Now, let me stress this: Salvation is of the Lord (Jonah 2:9). We cannot save our children. Our job is not to save them, but to point them to the Saviour. If you teach your children God’s Word, but they reject it and live a life without Christ, then that is a judgement they will face. However, you have been faithful – you have done what was commanded.

Let me offer a couple of tips on how you can develop a time of ‘family evangelism’ in your home. I know we all lead busy lives, rushing from one thing to another, but it is vital we make time to teach the truth.

1) Make Time

I will be the first to admit this is hard. My schedule is constantly full, but I need to work at carving out time for my family. My first ministry is to my family, so I must find time to sit and talk to them about Jesus.

2) Have a Plan

It has been rightly said that if you fail to plan, you are planning to fail. Take time to think through how you will do family worship. Find something that works for you. I have tried different methods and models of family worship, but they do not always work for us. Each family is unique, and family life changes. Make a plan that works for your dynamic, which means you may add or remove elements as you progress.

We have had times when we could all gather around after the evening meal to sing and read different books about the Lord. When the children were younger, we used Bible storybooks. As they got older and busier, we would read while they ate their meals. When circumstances changed, we used a gospel workbook together. At other times, we used catechisms and creeds. Currently, we simply pray together and then read a chapter of the Bible. The point is, adapt your plan to work with your family, but make sure you are doing something.

Our families need the gospel. Your children are not born into God’s covenant of grace, so you need to ensure they hear the truth. This is slow evangelism, but it is vital evangelism. It will impact you, your children, their children, and society. Be faithful in teaching your children the Word of God.

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