Editor's Note: The following is a report on the practical applications of Ann Dunagan's book, The Mission-Minded Family: Releasing Your Family to God’s Destiny, (Authentic Books, 2007).  

God’s call to reach lost people with the Gospel is for all believers – adults and children alike. Your whole family can go on a lifelong mission together to share the hope found only in Christ. Answering God’s call to focus your family outward can bless each of you as you all bless others.

Here’s how you can pursue mission work as a family:

View your family as a vehicle for ministry. Your family isn’t an obstacle to missions ministry work, and you don’t have to neglect your family to pursue ministry. Your family can actually become stronger as all of your family members devote themselves as a team to serving others outside your family. Your family and missions work are compatible and mutually supportive of God’s purposes. Your family can play a valuable role in helping to expand God’s kingdom!

Seek God’s plans rather than your own. Instead of asking God to bless your plans for your family, pray for God to show you His plans for your family. Then base your decisions on God’s plans.

Release your kids. Let go of your own agendas for each of your kids’ lives and be willing to accept whatever God wants for them, trusting that He knows what’s best for them. Help your kids discover God’s purposes for their lives, and encourage them to fulfill those purposes – no matter where God may take them in the process. Just as God released His Son for you, you need to release your kids daily to pursue His eternal purposes.

Focus on eternity. Rather than focusing on what you can accomplish in this world, focus on what you can accomplish that has eternal value. Be most concerned about pleasing God and preparing for the moment when you’ll meet Him in heaven.

Live in submission. Submit yourself completely to God and His purposes for your lives. Trust and obey His guidance in every area of your lives – spiritually, physically, mentally, emotionally, financially, etc.

Strategically aim your family in the right direction. Get to know the specific spiritual gifts and natural talents of every member of your family. Then ask questions to help discover God’s direction for your family as a team. Consider such questions as: “Is your family called to hospitality?”, “Is your family called to active leadership within your local church?”, “Is your family called to specifically impact your neighborhood?”, and “Taking into account your family’s specific gifts, abilities, and resources, what are ways you can participate in God’s Great Commission?”. As your kids grow, pay attention to how they’re developing spiritually, mentally, and physically. Challenge them to take risks to try serving in new ways whenever you sense they’re ready to do so.