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Does family come before ministry? The Bible gives a clear and direct answer — and every pastor, church leader, or ministry spouse needs to hear it. In this episode of Marked by Grace, Heath Lambert walks through 1 Timothy 3 and Matthew 10:37 to answer one of the most common tensions in ministry life: when your family needs you, and your congregation needs you at the same time, who wins?

0:00 — Introduction: What comes first, family or ministry?

0:49 — The Bible has a clear answer

1:51 — 1 Timothy 3:2 — Marriage as a requirement for pastoral ministry

2:18 — 1 Timothy 3:4-5 — Managing your household well

2:41 — Why family priorities qualify (or disqualify) a minister

3:42 — An important distinction: ministry is not the same as Jesus

4:08 — Matthew 10:37 — Jesus comes before family

4:55 — Ministry faithfulness vs. discipleship with Jesus

5:03 — How following Jesus puts your priorities in order

Like this episode? Subscribe for more biblical teaching from Marked by Grace. Share your thoughts in the comments below about how understanding the church as people rather than a place changes your perspective.