The Godly Home

God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion…So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion.”Genesis 1:26-28.

The first institution of God was created, the Godly home. Adam fell, and has passed the fallen nature on to his offspring, but God still intends the Godly home to be the institution that will provide souls that will ultimately fulfill His plan of a world that brings praise and glory to His name.

The Godly home has to be Christ centered, for it was Jesus Christ and His sacrifice that has redeemed us from Adam’s fall. I Corinthians 15:22. The Godly home is a place of peace for the Prince of Peace lives there.

We see the order of God: Christ, man and woman. I Corinthians 11:3:  ”But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.”

Use the Bible as God-breathed inspiration to live and govern life by. II Timothy 3:16-17: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.  That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

The help of a church community of like believers – apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers and saints, Ephesians 4:11-12 – equips the father and mother, parents, with the knowledge and understanding to give instruction to their children as the family interacts with life’s challenges.

The parents are modeling their convictions before their children through turmoil, pain, good times, and victories.  Witnessing this, the children are not only told or taught, but see what the blood salvation has done and can do for an individual, to God be the Glory!

The church and school are important partners in the Godly home. Just as a one-legged stool is uncomfortable and unstable, so is the home by itself. Two legs are better yet for stability and comfort, but a three-legged stool – home, church, and school unified in a Godly purpose – are a great strength.  We cannot send our children to church and school and hope they get it. What a poor substitute for a Godly home.

Parents of a Godly home have a responsibility of representing God to the children. The father of the home has the greatest responsibility by exercising judgment, showing mercy and patience, tender love, and forgiveness. He is never to be a dictator because God is not one. A parent’s responsibility is to take a totally dependent child and make them into the image of God as an independent man or woman.

The father should be careful in what influences are allowed in the home, keeping in mind, as the home goes so goes the church. The church is only as strong as the home; if you keep the world out of the home you can keep the world out of the church.

The Word of God commands that we be diligent in the task of teaching and instructing every day.  From structured training, as in Scripture memorization, to faithful church attendance and participation, to spontaneous training as the unfolding of the day presents opportunities to discuss the mind of God. Teach self-worth, respect for others, and obedience. Answer those many questions that inquisitive child asks. Don’t grow weary in well doing. Psalms 78:5-8.

Train up, a verb meaning to dedicate or lead to Jesus Christ. Proverbs 22:6. “Train up a child in the way he should go…” This is a command.  Afterward a promise: “…and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

Encourage the children to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit.  The potential of a Godly home falls short if father, mother, and children have not had their inner being quickened by God’s Spirit. Titus 3:5 and Ephesians 2:1-22.

Deuteronomy 6:5: “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” Verse 6: “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart.” (The essence of your life). Verse 7: “And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children…” (Parents are evangelists.) “…and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in the house, when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and thou risest up.” A structured and spontaneous training.

As parents, our goal should be to infect our children with Jesus Christ, not inoculate them with immunity to the Gospel. You know just enough church or godly teaching to make them wonder, why are we going here again, or talking about this again?  Hopefully you will be successful in addicting them to the Gospel. I Corinthians 16:15. Stephanas did a good job.

Children spend roughly 80% of their time at home, 15% at school, and 5% at church. The home has the greatest influence so use it wisely.

Be diligent, be consistent, and establish boundaries. Children need to know where they are. What was not acceptable one day should not be permitted the next.

Do not train your children so they know you only mean it when your voice raises a certain decibel level and hits a certain range. You should expect obedience the first time at a normal level of conversation. Titus 3:10.

If you discipline your children, and you should, you should also play with your children. The greatest investment of time that you can make is in your children. Let them know they are loved and important. Discipline without love causes frustration.

A doctor uses two types of medicine, corrective and preventative medicine. View discipline the same way. Corrective discipline is chastening with love, while preventative discipline is admonitions; meaning, I see what you’re doing and let me tell you what will happen if you don’t stop.  Then follow through.  Preventative discipline should be used for more than correction.

When you go to the store, wash the car, get gas, etc. – take your child or one of your children with you. Spend time alone with them.

Fathers, take your daughters on a date once in awhile. Teach them what to expect from a gentleman. Mothers, do the same with your sons. Let them know how to treat a woman as a gentleman.

If you make a mistake, ask your child for forgiveness. There can be no greater lesson of humility. Children don’t need perfect parents; just honest parents.

Pray that the Holy Spirit will bridge the gap from head knowledge to the heart so they will become a living epistle like you. II Corinthians 3:2-3.