“... choose you this day whom ye will serve; ... but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:1-15)
In these verses we see Joshua calling the people of God to choose which direction they would lead their families. To have a Christian home requires more than merely having Christians there. It’s one in which Christ is the centrepiece, where God is honoured in every facet of the family and where the presence of Christ is felt in the details of our day to day living. Let me suggest some things to help.
• Plan By Faith To Have A Christian Home
Someone said, “A dream without a plan is just a wish”. Here are a couple things a good plan should include.
• Plan That Your Family Will Worship Together Publicly
“He gave some ... pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, ... (Ephesians 4:13)
A local church is a body of Christ. In a body individual members benefit from the other members and the body as a whole. The faith of your family is exercised and enhanced from involvement in a good Bible preaching church!
• Plan That Your Family Will Worship Together Privately
Church involvement, although essential is not enough. Family devotions, family prayer, and living for God Monday thru Saturday are what constitute a godly family.
• Purpose By Faith To Have A Christian Home
Christians have three enemies: the world, the flesh and the devil. These work against us in living the Christ-like life and building a Christ-honouring family. • Purpose That Your Family Will Be Separated From Worldliness
I John 2:15-16 tells us to: “Love not the world, .... For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”
The world’s philosophy and system is largely against the principles of God.
• Purpose That Your Family Will Be Serving The Lord.
Find a place to serve the Lord together. Set the right example for your children in this area.
• Pray In Faith To Have A Christian Home
Prayer is a valuable resource and indispensable in establishing a Christian home as prayer brings God’s power and invites God’s presence into your home.
• Pray For The Members Of Your Family
• Pray With The Members Of Your Family
Parents ought to pray together with their children; Spouses should pray together. Pick a time to pray daily as a family and don’t quit. Over time prayer with your children will become natural.
There is no better way to put an end to a conflict than saying, “Instead of feuding, let’s pray about this.”