Family in Jesus’ day was larger, deeply interconnected, and typically patriarchal. Households often included parents, in-laws, servants, and others who shared both their lives and livelihoods.
But Jesus began to reconfigure what it meant to be family.
Jesus created a new family—a new people of God defined ultimately by their allegiance to God.
“Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”
— Mark 3:35
Following Jesus can even create division within our natural families. Jesus made it clear that our allegiance to Him and His Kingdom must take priority.
In Mark 1:16–20, Jesus calls Simon, Andrew, James, and John to follow Him.
James and John’s response is especially striking:
“Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.”
Their obedience was immediate. When Jesus called, they were willing to leave behind their livelihood, security, and even their father to follow Him.
Faith cannot simply be inherited.
Every generation—and every individual—must personally respond to the call of Jesus. Our parents may introduce us to faith, model it for us, and disciple us, but ultimately each of us must choose to follow Christ for ourselves.
We are each responsible for our response to Jesus.
As younger generations grow up in an increasingly post-Christian culture, the Church needs resilient disciples who are personally committed to Jesus, grounded in Scripture, actively involved in the Church, and prepared to become resilient Christian leaders.
When God calls the next generation, we have a choice:
Either we pave the way for God’s call, or we get in the way of God’s call.
Imagine if Zebedee had refused to let James and John leave the boat.
Parents, grandparents, mentors, and spiritual parents have an opportunity to encourage the next generation to pursue what God is calling them to—even when that calling requires sacrifice or leads somewhere we did not expect.
The question is not simply whether Jesus is calling.
Is He calling you out of the boat?
Is He calling your child or grandchild out of the boat?
And when He calls—how will you respond?