What Is a Family’s Purpose?

Do you have a vision of your family purpose? There can be many competing messages in our culture, and there is no shortage of good things we can do as a family, so discerning what matters most can be a challenge. 

The good news is that God designed family with a specific purpose. When we return to that biblical definition of family, understanding our family purpose, we get reconnected back to His original design for family.

Let’s talk about that definition of family, your family purpose, and why it matters.

Family as the First Institution

Family was the very first human institution that God created, and that was intentional. All the way back from the very first day, God designed family to be the original institution that cared for culture and passed on values.

That purpose for family was more than a nice task we were delegated. God understood that family is one of the cornerstones that shapes the world around it. As the family goes, so goes society generally. Our families are a fundamental place where we teach family members what matters, how to live, and that then has an effect on the world our family members live in.

Why Use Family?

As you consider your family’s purpose as a redemptive tool, it might help to frame it up first. There are plenty of ways that God brings redemption to the world, but family truly was created as the first line. Consider the ripple effect of a family’s actions over the years:

• What were your interactions with your neighbors like? Did they meet Jesus through your kindness?
• What did your family’s connection to church look like? How did you serve and support there?
• What did your time look like spent with next generations, like grandkids?

Those are three very basic ways that families have an impact, so it should start to make sense that how you live and raise your family has a profound effect. It does not have to be about seeking out huge, momentous acts to accomplish. If you just served with kindness and raised your kids to do the same, that alone would be a significant representation of the gospel and God’s love.

Family Purpose Isn’t Optional

The reason all this matters is because this is how your family was designed. It’s not just another optional to-do. When your family walks in the design God intended, you will find flourishing, peace, and joy, as you reflect God’s image. How well you walk in that design depends on your intentionality.

Here are a few questions to consider of what it looks like to live with family purpose:

• What are you intentionally passing on?
• What actions are you purposeful in?
• What impact are you after?

The good news is that within your purpose as a family there is a lot of room for creativity. You were intended to be an image-bearer of God who lives out and passes on values. That can actually be a space for a lot of fun and growth. Embrace how your family can live uniquely within God’s purpose. Dream big about your values could impact all within your sphere.

Want to keep pursuing purpose? Find more resources at our Family Resource Center.