Built to Bless: God's Design for the Family
St. Thomas Missionary Baptist Church, Pastor Terry Brown, Senior Pastor
Sunday, June 22, 2025, 10:00 AM
Summary
God has designed the family with a divine purpose, not as an afterthought or accident, but as the very first institution He ordained. Before there was government, school, or even the church, God created the family to reflect His image and to be a vessel of His blessing in the world. Genesis 1:27-28 shows us that both male and female together bear the full image of God, and that the family is meant to mirror His character, love, and unity. When families are aligned with God’s purpose, they become a clear reflection of His glory, but when broken or out of place, they reflect confusion and pain. Yet, even in brokenness, God’s blessing remains, because His affirmation is not based on our perfection, but on His divine approval.
The blessing God speaks over the family is foundational. Before giving Adam and Eve any instruction, God blessed them. This means that the family’s worth is not rooted in performance, but in God’s affirmation. No family is perfect—every home faces its share of trouble and brokenness—but God’s favor and grace are what sustain us. We are called to speak blessing over our families, not just what we see, but what God calls us: blessed, favored, and chosen. Our words have power to build up or tear down, and the legacy of prayer and encouragement can outlast our own lives, shaping generations to come.
Ephesians 3:14-15 reminds us that every family finds its true identity in God the Father. Our families are not accidents of biology or circumstance, but providentially placed for a kingdom purpose. We are called not just to raise children, but to train them in godliness, to fill the gaps where the world falls short, and to be a witness for Christ in how we love, serve, and forgive one another. The home is the first mission field, and the family is God’s embassy on earth, representing His values to a watching world. God’s grace is sufficient to hold our families together, to heal what is broken, and to restore what has been lost. We are called to live with purpose, to pray together, to speak life, and to never take our families for granted, knowing that every blessing comes from the Lord.
Key Takeaways
- Family Is God’s Divine Design, Not an Accident
The family was established by God as the first institution, created intentionally to reflect His image and character. It is not a random social construct, but a sacred, God-ordained structure meant to mirror His unity and love. Remembering this helps us to honor our families as part of God’s greater plan, not just as a product of circumstance. [50:55]
- Blessing Precedes Performance in the Family
God blessed Adam and Eve before giving them any instructions, teaching us that our families are blessed not because of what we do, but because of who God is and what He has spoken over us. Our worth and the worth of our families are rooted in God’s affirmation, not in our perfection or achievements. This truth frees us from striving and invites us to rest in God’s favor, even amid imperfection. [57:32]
- The Power of Words and Prayer in the Home
Words spoken within the family have lasting impact—either building up or tearing down. Prayers and blessings spoken over our children and loved ones can shape destinies and outlast our own lives. We are called to be intentional with our words, to speak life, and to keep our families covered in prayer, trusting that God’s promises endure beyond our own generation. [01:01:39]
- Families Are Destined to Influence the World
Every family traces its spiritual identity back to God the Father and is called to be a witness for Christ. Our homes are the first mission field, where we train—not just raise—our children in godliness, filling the gaps left by the world. When we live out God’s blueprint, our families become beacons of hope, blessing, and transformation in a broken world. [01:08:19]
- Never Take Your Family for Granted—Live and Love with Purpose
Life is fragile and time is short; we are called to fix what is broken, forgive quickly, and cherish our loved ones. Pride and resentment have no place in the home—humility, prayer, and gratitude must take their place. Every day is an opportunity to live with purpose, to speak blessing, and to thank God for the gift of family. [01:27:34]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:34] - Baptism Candidates and Announcements
[02:10] - Community Outreach and July 4th Mercy from Moncrief
[04:30] - Acknowledging First-Time Guests
[06:15] - Visiting the Sick and Shut-In
[08:00] - Tithes, Offerings, and Giving Statement
[10:30] - Prayer of Thanksgiving
[12:00] - Scripture Reading: Genesis 1 & Ephesians 3
[14:00] - God’s Design for the Family
[18:00] - Family as God’s Reflection
[22:00] - The Blessing Over the Family
[27:00] - The Power of Words and Legacy of Prayer
[32:00] - Family’s Influence and Training the Next Generation
[38:00] - Take-Home Reflections and Practical Applications
[43:00] - Invitation, Baptisms, and Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Built to Bless—God’s Design for the Family
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### Bible Reading
- Genesis 1:27-28
*So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”*
- Ephesians 3:14-15
*For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named.*
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### Observation Questions
1. According to Genesis 1:27-28, what does it mean that both male and female are created in God’s image? What instructions and blessings does God give to the first family?
2. In Ephesians 3:14-15, what does Paul say about the source of every family’s identity?
3. The sermon said, “Before the government, before school or even the church, God created the family.” What does this tell us about the importance of family in God’s plan? [[50:55]]
4. What does the pastor say is the first thing God did for Adam and Eve before giving them any instructions? [[57:32]]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. The sermon says that family is not an accident or afterthought, but God’s first institution. Why do you think God started with the family, and not something else? [[50:55]]
2. The pastor said, “The foundation of a family is not performance, it’s divine affirmation.” How does this change the way we see our own families, especially when things aren’t perfect? [[57:32]]
3. The sermon talked about the power of words and prayer in the home. Why do you think words spoken in the family have such a lasting impact, both for good and for harm? [[01:01:39]]
4. Ephesians 3:14-15 says every family is named by God. What does it mean for your family to find its identity in God, and not just in biology or circumstance? [[01:08:19]]
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### Application Questions
1. The pastor said, “Don’t take your family for granted. Fix stuff in your family. We’re here today, gone tomorrow. Don’t let pride get in the way of you saying, ‘I’m sorry. I was wrong. Will you please forgive me?’” Is there a relationship in your family that needs healing or forgiveness? What’s one step you can take this week to move toward reconciliation? [[01:27:34]]
2. The sermon challenged us to “speak what God calls us, not just what we see.” Are there negative words or labels you’ve spoken over your family or yourself? What would it look like to start speaking blessing and God’s truth instead? [[57:32]]
3. The pastor asked, “How often do I pray with my spouse?” If you’re married, when was the last time you prayed together? If you’re not married, who in your family could you pray with this week? What might change if you made this a regular habit? [[01:23:42]]
4. The sermon said, “Our homes are the first mission field.” In what ways can your family be a witness for Christ in your neighborhood, school, or workplace? [[01:08:19]]
5. The pastor shared about the legacy of prayer, saying, “Prayer isn’t like milk. Milk expires. Prayer doesn’t.” Is there someone in your family you need to start (or keep) praying for, even if you don’t see results yet? [[01:07:23]]
6. The message said, “God’s grace can hold it together. God’s grace can fix what’s broken.” Where do you need to trust God’s grace in your family right now? [[01:21:47]]
7. The pastor encouraged us to “live with purpose, live with victory.” What is one practical way you can show gratitude for your family this week? [[01:27:34]]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Thank God for the gift of family, ask for His blessing and healing over every home represented, and pray for the courage to speak life, forgive quickly, and live with purpose as a reflection of God’s love.
Devotional
Day 1: God Designed the Family with Purpose
Family is not an afterthought or accident, but a divinely ordained institution created by God to reflect His image and fulfill His purpose on earth. Every family, no matter its shape or size, is God-approved and called to live with intention, not just to exist but to represent God’s heart and character in the world. When we remember our “why”—the reason God brought us together—we find strength to persevere through challenges and to realign our homes with God’s original design. Ask yourself: Is your home structured to reflect the heart of God, and are you living out the purpose He has for your family? [57:32]
Genesis 1:27-28 (ESV)
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Reflection: What is one intentional step you can take this week to realign your family life with God’s purpose for your home?
Day 2: God Declared the Family to Be a Blessing
God’s first word over the family was a blessing, not a command or a correction. The foundation of a family is not performance but divine affirmation—if you have a family, you are blessed, regardless of imperfections or struggles. God’s favor rests on your household, and you are called to speak His blessing over your loved ones, not just what you see in the natural. Remember, you can’t curse what God has blessed, and your words have the power to build up or tear down those closest to you. [01:01:39]
Genesis 1:28 (ESV)
And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Reflection: What is one way you can intentionally speak blessing and encouragement over a family member today, especially if you’ve been focused on their faults?
Day 3: God Destined the Family to Influence the World
Every family traces its spiritual identity back to God the Father, and each home is called to be a witness for Christ in how we love, serve, and live together. Families are not just meant to raise children, but to train them in godliness, equipping them to stand strong in a world that often pulls them away from God’s truth. Your home is your child’s first learning place, and the way you love, speak, and serve within your family can become a beacon of God’s love and truth to a watching world. [01:11:59]
Ephesians 3:14-15 (ESV)
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named.
Reflection: How can your family become a stronger witness for Christ this week—in your words, your actions, or your hospitality?
Day 4: The Power of Prayer and Words in the Home
Prayer is a legacy that outlives us, and the words we speak in our homes have lasting impact—either building up or tearing down those we love. Even when families go through broken seasons, the value of the home remains because of God’s blessing and the prayers that have been sown over generations. Don’t stop praying for your family, and don’t underestimate the power of your words; what you speak today can shape destinies tomorrow. [01:08:19]
Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Reflection: What is one specific prayer you can begin praying daily for your family, and how can you use your words to encourage rather than discourage at home?
Day 5: Don’t Take Your Family for Granted—Live with Purpose and Forgiveness
Life is short, and we are here today and gone tomorrow; don’t let pride or busyness keep you from fixing what’s broken in your family. God calls us to live with purpose and victory, not to take our loved ones for granted. Make it a priority to say “I’m sorry,” to forgive, and to cherish the people God has placed in your life, knowing that every day together is a gift and an opportunity to reflect God’s love. [01:27:34]
Colossians 3:13-14 (ESV)
Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
Reflection: Is there someone in your family you need to forgive or reconcile with today? What step can you take to begin that process before another day passes?
Quotes
When you lose your why, you lose your way. When you're having trouble with something, you go back to why you started. When you're having trouble with something, you go back to why you asked. When you're having trouble, you go back to why you said yes. Because sometimes when you get in the middle of a thing, you need to remember why you started that thing. [00:56:41] (24 seconds)
All week long, you've been speaking what you've been seeing, but God said you gotta speak what he calls you. I'm blessed. Where am I blessed? I'm blessed this morning. I'm blessed in the city. I'm blessed in the valley. I'm blessed in the field. I'm blessed in a hospital room. I'm blessed at the bank. God wants us to stop speaking what we see and start speaking what he calls us, and God says this morning, you're blessed. [01:00:19] (27 seconds)
Family is not cursed because God has blessed, and you can't curse what God has blessed. This is why it don't matter what the devil say—you got to remind yourself every morning what God calls you. You're more than what you drive. You're more than where you live. You're more than your salary. You belong to God. [01:05:30] (25 seconds)
Even when the house feels broken, never forget the value of the home. Even though we all got some brokenness in our homes, never forget the value because God has blessed it. [01:07:41] (21 seconds)
You should never stop praying because prayer ain't like milk. Milk expire. Prayer doesn't. And just because it doesn't come to pass while you're alive, it may come to pass for your children when you've gone home to be with the Lord. Don't stop praying. Don't stop getting up. Stay on your knees. Keep your family lifted in prayer. [01:08:33] (26 seconds)
Paul now reveals that every family in heaven and on earth traces its spiritual identity back to God the Father. That means your family is not an accident. It's providence. You didn't get to choose who you were born to. God chose that. You don't get to pick who your mama and your daddy is. God chooses that. And he picks it with a kingdom purpose. [01:09:31] (27 seconds)
The Bible, Proverbs 22 and 6, says this: Train up a child in the way that they should go. And when they are old, they shall not depart. Hold on. He doesn't use the word raise. He uses the word train. See, in the country, you raise hogs. You raise cattle. When we don't train children and all we do is raise them, we're fattening them up so that they can be slaughtered. But if you train them up in the way that they should go, no matter what the devil throws at them, God will keep them. [01:10:20] (49 seconds)
God's grace can hold it together. God's grace can fix what's broken. God's grace can do something new. God's grace can restore what's been lost. God's grace can revive what has died. God's grace can bless finances. God's grace can heal sickness. God's grace can provide provision. God's grace can wipe the tears away. God's grace can give you strength. God's grace can rekindle your fire. [01:21:59] (36 seconds)
Don't take your family for granted. Listen to me carefully. I ain't talking about outside your home. I ain't talking about your job. Stop taking your family for granted. Don't, don't take your family for granted. Listen to me carefully. Fix stuff in your family. We here today. We gone tomorrow. Don't let pride get in the way of you saying, I'm sorry. I was wrong. Will you please forgive me? We are here today. Gone tomorrow. Live with purpose. Live with victory. [01:27:34] (51 seconds)
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