Andrew Nichols, contributer for 9Marks and parenting teacher at Capitol Hill Baptist Church, has written a three part article on the purpose of the family and how God has pictured it around himself.

I will not attempt here a complete theology of the family, but I think we can establish this much: Scripture teaches that a primary purpose of the family is nothing less than presenting the whole world with a series of three images—God’s triune nature, the gospel, and the church. In the family, God has embedded pictures of himself, his plan of salvation, and his redeemed people.

Which means the family is precious! It’s not just precious to young couples with children, it’s precious to the entire church. To Satan. To God. And to you, pastor?

This three-part article is long, but it is well worth digesting. Take your time reading through it.  For how often we all need more teaching, immersed in Scripture and Theology, on God’s vision for family. 

Andrew states,

As the father of four and as the principal teacher of Capitol Hill Baptist Church’s class on parenting, I have many opportunities to speak with young parents about raising children. And how desperately we all need practical wisdom! At the same time, I’ve become convinced that we also need something more: we need a sharper biblical vision for the purpose of the family. Why has God created the family? Why does Satan spend his time attacking it? What vision for the family should fathers present to their wives and children? And what should pastors teach their churches?

Part 1: Why Families Matter to God
Part 2: How Families Minister to the Church and the World
Part 3: Raising Boys vs. Raising Girls