One of our callings as the people of God is to be an alternative “city within a city.” Jesus calls us “the light of the world” and “a city on a hill” that is not to be hidden (Matt. 5:14).  As this alternative city within a city, we are to cultivate a culture that honors God, brings joy to people, and does good to the larger city in which we’re contained. 

 

An important aspect of cultivating this God-honoring “counter-culture” is understanding who Christ has called us–out of the darkness of the world—to be.  The following is a blueprint of what this counter-culture is to look like, in regards to the roles of men, women, singles, and members of a family.  There is of course much more that could be said about all of these areas, but I believe this starts us off in the right direction. 

 

Men, who…

§ Love God above all things (Matt. 22:36-37). 

§ Read the Bible and pray (Ps. 19:7-14). 

§ Understand and take seriously their calling to be leaders in our church and in their families by serving others and sacrificing themselves for the good of others (Matt. 20:25-28; 1 Tim. 3:1-7; 2 Tim. 2:2; 1 Cor. 11:3).

§ Have a good theology of work and money (Eph. 4:28; Col. 3:23-24; 1 Cor. 10:31; Heb. 13:5-6; 1 Tim. 6:17-19). 

§ Understand their identity in Christ as loved sons of God, called to sacrificially and humbly serve as missionaries in our community (Romans 8:14-17,37; 2 Cor. 5:17-20). 

§ Act responsibly (Eph. 5:15-17). 

§ Use their time, talents, and resources to further God’s mission in the world (Acts 20:24). 

§ Will not lust after women who aren’t their wives (Job 31:1). 

§ Encourage one another regularly to turn from sin and live for Christ (Hebrews 3:13).

§ Protect the purity of their sisters in Christ, rather than attempt to take it away (1 Tim. 5:1-2).

§ Desire the best for one another (1 Cor. 12:12-27). 

§ Train younger men how to obey God (2 Tim. 2:2).

 

Women, who…  

§ Love God above all things (Matt. 22:36-37). 

§ Love and care for other women in our community, looking for ways to encourage them in their faith (Titus 2:3-5; Heb. 10:24). 

§ Continually seek to grow in the knowledge of God and to understand the fullness of the gospel (Col. 1:9-10; Eph. 3:14-19). 

§ Understand their identity in Christ as beloved daughters of God, called to sacrificially and humbly serve as missionaries in our community (Romans 8:14-17,37; 2 Cor. 5:17-20). 

§ Practice mercy and righteousness (2 Tim. 1:7). 

§ Serve the men in our community well by dressing modestly (1 Tim. 2:9-10; 1 Tim. 5:1-2).

§ Speak only words that help, encourage, and strengthen others (Eph. 4:29). 

§ Are content with what God has given them materially and are not envious of others (Heb. 13:5-6; 1 Tim. 6:6-10). 

§ Set their minds and bodies to serving Christ (Col. 3:1-2; 1 Cor. 6:19-20). 

§ Train younger women how to obey God (Titus 2:3-5).   

 

Singles, who…

§ Love and serve Jesus above all else (Matt. 22:36-37). 

§ Take advantage of their time as a single to serve God in ways and capacities they would not be able to if they were married (1 Cor. 7:32-35).

§ Serve the church sacrificially (1 John 3:16). 

§ Prepare for marriage in their time as a single - assuming they don’t have the gift of singleness (Prov. 1-8). 

§ Have healthy, God-honoring relationships with the opposite sex (1 Tim. 5:1-2). 

§ Are examples to the rest of the church in holiness, humility, and faith (1 Tim. 4:12; 1 Cor. 7:6-8,32-35).

 

Husbands/Fathers, who…

§ Love their wives sacrificially as Christ loved the church (Eph. 5:25-29). 

§ Are active in their children’s lives – talking to them, playing with them, spending time with them, teaching them, and disciplining them (Deut. 6:4-9; Prov. 13:24; Eph. 6:4). 

§ Pastor their family and lead them – in word and deed (1 Cor. 11:3; Eph. 6:4). 

§ Take responsibility for the spiritual/physical/emotional well being of their family (1 Cor. 11:3; Prov. 20:7). 

§ Pray with their wives (1 Peter 3:7; Eph. 5:28-30). 

§ Study the Bible with their family (Deut. 6:4-9; Prov. 22:6). 

 

Wives/Mothers, who…

§ Love their husband and their kids (Titus 2:4). 

§ Respect and submit themselves with joy to their husband’s leadership (Titus 2:5; Eph. 5:22-24). 

§ Seek to find ways that they can best help their husbands (Gen. 2:18-25; Prov. 31:10-12). 

§ Do not buy into the cultural lie that working in the marketplace is more important or satisfying than working in the home (Titus 2:4-5; Prov. 31:27). 

§ Teach their children the Bible and how to live it out (Deut. 6:4-9; Prov. 1:8-9; Prov. 22:6; Prov. 31:26).   

 

Children, who are…

§ Seen as a blessing (Ps. 127:3-5). 

§ Loved and cared for (Prov. 13:24; Titus 2:4; Eph. 6:4). 

§ Taught the Bible (Deut. 6:4-9). 

§ Taught how to pray (Eph. 6:4). 

§ Learning about the gospel and their need for Jesus (2 Tim. 3:14-15). 

§ Learning about what God is like through seeing the examples around them (2 Cor. 2:14). 

§ Growing in wisdom (Prov. 1-8). 

§ Disciplined in love (Prov. 13:24).