The Purpose of Family

Genesis 1:26-28 NKJ
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our
likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the
birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every
creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His
own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He
created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be
fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over
the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing
that moves on the earth.”
3 Primary Reasons Why God Designed Family:

1. To be a reflection of His nature
   Genesis 1:26 NKJ
   …”Let Us make man in OUR IMAGE, according to OUR
   LIKENESS…”
   Genesis 1:27 NKJ
   So God created man in His OWN IMAGE; in the IMAGE OF GOD He
   created him; male and female He created them.
   The relationship between a man and a woman was designed to be
   the closest thing to reflect our relationship with God.
   Matthew 19:4-6 NKJ
   And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who
   made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ and said,
   ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be
   joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So then, they
   are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined
   together, let not man separate.”
   Stages of a Relationship with God:
   • Beginning Stage: usually marked by excitement and romance
   • Growing Stage: marked with learning faithfulness to ONE GOD
   and how to overcome failures in the relationship
   • Mature Stage: learning to keep the relationship intimate and
   vibrant after many years
   Matthew 19:6 NKJ
   “So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God
   has joined together, LET NOT MAN SEPARATE.”
   Romans 1:18-32 NKJ
   For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness
   and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in
   unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in
   them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the
   world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by
   the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so
   that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they
   did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in
   their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to
   be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the
   incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds
   and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also
   gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor
   their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for
   the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the
   Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave
   them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the
   natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving
   the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another,
   men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in
   themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as
   they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them
   over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being
   filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness,
   covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-
   mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent,
   proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
   undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who,
   knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such
   things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve
   of those who practice them.
2. To be an extension of His authority
   Genesis 1:26 NKJ
   “…let them have DOMINION over the fish of the sea, over the birds of
   the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping
   thing that creeps on the earth.”
   Romans 6:11-14 NKJ
   Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but
   alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore do not let sin reign in
   your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not
   present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but
   present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your
   members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not
   have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
   1 Corinthians 7:1-5 NKJ
   Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me: It is good for a
   man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, because of sexual
   immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman
   have her own husband. Let the husband render to his wife the
   affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. The wife
   does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does.
   And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body,
   but the wife does. Do not deprive one another except with consent for
   a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come
   together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack
   of self-control.
3. To preserve the culture of His kingdom
   Genesis 1:28 NKJ
   Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “BE FRUITFUL AND
   MULTIPLY; FILL THE EARTH AND SUBDUE IT…”
   Isaiah 59:19 NKJ
   …when the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift
   up a standard against him.
   Matthew 5:13-16 NKJ
   “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall
   it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and
   trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that
   is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it
   under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in
   the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your
   good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
   Joshua 24:15 NKJ
   “And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves
   this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your father
   served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the
   Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we
   will serve the Lord.”