Witnessing in Our Own Family
Month 11: Living It Out · Loving Others
Today's Scripture
Read together: Mark 5:18-20
18 As He was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed by the demons begged to go with Him. 19 But Jesus would not allow him. “Go home to your own people,” He said, “and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy He has shown you.” 20 So the man went away and began to proclaim throughout the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And everyone was amazed.
Memory Verse
“In everything, show yourself to be an example by doing good works. In your teaching show integrity, dignity, and wholesome speech that is above reproach, so that anyone who opposes us will be ashamed, having nothing bad to say about us.”— Titus 2:7-8 (BSB)
📖 Bible-in-a-Year (optional)
Today's reading: Ezekiel 5-8
Reading the whole Bible in a year — do this when you have extra time. (Around Day 327 of 365 — God shows Ezekiel why judgment is coming, yet He is patient and just.)The Heart of It
A man whose whole life had been wrecked met Jesus and was completely changed. The crowd had known him as the wild man who lived among the tombs. But Jesus set him free. Now he was "sitting and clothed and in his right mind" (). No wonder he begged to climb in the boat and follow Jesus everywhere! But Jesus gave him a surprising job. "Go home to your own people," He said, "and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy He has shown you" (v. 19). Jesus didn't send him to far-off lands first. He sent him home. He sent him to the people who knew him before, who had seen him at his worst, who would notice the change. And the man did exactly that. Everyone was amazed.
Sometimes the hardest place to share Jesus is our own family. The people who live with us see our bad moods, our messes, and our mistakes. It can feel awkward to talk about following Jesus with a brother who saw you lose your temper this morning. But our family is actually the most important mission field we have. It's also the most convincing one. When your sister sees you apologize, when your parents notice you're more patient than you used to be, when a cousin watches you choose kindness, that is telling how much the Lord has done for you with your life. And then, like the man in the story, you can use words too. You can say a simple sentence at the dinner table. You can share a verse. You can offer a prayer for someone who's hurting. Loving others starts at home. And the change Jesus is making in you preaches loudest to the people closest to you.
Around the Table
Jesus told a happy man to go home and tell his family the good things God did for him. We can tell our family about Jesus too!
Let's do it: Tell someone in your family one good thing Jesus has done for you. Maybe He kept you safe, or gave you friends, or loves you no matter what.
Jesus sent the man home to witness, not far away (v. 19). Our family sees the real us. So the changes they notice are powerful proof Jesus is real.
Let's talk: What's one way your family might be able to see Jesus changing you lately?
Witnessing to family is uniquely hard, because they know our flaws. But that's also what makes a changed life so convincing. The man's testimony was simply how much the Lord had done for him.
Let's go deeper: Is there a family member you find it awkward to talk faith with? What would loving them well look like this week, in actions first?
💬 Conversation Starter
Who in our family or extended family might most need to know how much Jesus loves them?— How could we show them this week, with actions and words?
🛡️ Defending the Faith
The people who know you best are the toughest crowd. And a changed life among your own family is one of the most convincing evidences that Jesus is real. Like the freed man, your simplest, truest defense is telling "how much the Lord has done for you" (), shared humbly ().
For Dad · Go Deeper
There's a reason Jesus sent this man home. The gospel is meant to land first among those who can verify the transformation. For you as a father, that means your most strategic mission field is sitting at your own table. Your children are watching whether the faith you defend out in the world actually reshapes how you treat them. They watch your patience when you're tired, your willingness to apologize when you're wrong, and your tenderness with their mother. A dad who is bold about Jesus in public but harsh at home undercuts his own witness. A dad who lets the gospel soften him at home gives his kids living proof. Don't overlook the second half of the man's commission either. He didn't only live differently. He told people. Are you regularly speaking simple words of testimony to your kids about what Christ has done in your life? Show them, then tell them. That combination disciples a household.
Draws on: Tony Evans, Raising Kingdom Kids.
Let's Pray Together
"Father, thank You for changing us. Help our family see Jesus in each other. Give us courage to tell the people closest to us the great things You have done. Let our home be the first place we love and witness well. In Jesus' name, amen."
My family is my first mission field. And the change Jesus makes in me preaches loudest at home.