INTRODUCTION:
Today’s study takes a look at the foundational back-bone for every church, community or nation; the Christian Home ~ a home is a place where one lives permanently especially one’s family, or as a member of a household. The social unit constituted by a family living together.
A Christian Home is an institution where parents are bound together by Christian love; where Children are welcome and scripturally instructed and the Lord Jesus is the unseen Head; where parents and children gather daily for family worship.
It’s a place where members of the family enjoy rest, privacy, security, and learn to work, play, and plan and pray together. It consists of God fearing children.
CENTRAL BIBLE PASSAGE: EPHESIANS 5:20 – 6:20
A. PARTIES IN THE CHRISTIAN HOME
1. God, the unseen Head
2. God-fearing father
3. God-fearing mother
4. God-fearing children
5. God-fearing relations, maids, etc
6. Others, external people with influence
A1. God the Father: HE is the principal architect or designer of a home. He started the institution of marriage and family. As the Author, He has the master plan or instruction on how best to have a reliable, peaceful, joyful, effective and efficient unit. That is why; we must seek Him far above every other thing in our home.
Ps. 127:1; Gen. 2:18; 1 Cor. 3:7; Rev. 1:8
A2. The God-fearing Father: He has been placed there by God as seen head of the home. However, his roles and responsibilities should be carried out in love. He should not consider his wife as a slave rather as help meet, an equal partner. He is the priest of the family responsible for family altar and directing them in the way of the LORD.
Joshua 24:15; Ps. 27:4; Gen. 18:19; Eph. 5:23, 25-33; Gen. 25:20-21
A3. The God-fearing Mother: Almost all great men have made by one or two loving women – a god mother or a devoted wife. The wife’s first duty is to love and serve Jesus Christ. Her second is to obey her husband. She is also to love her husband apart from respecting and obeying him. She is to be adorned with good works particularly she is to take good care of children and others under her roof.
Luke 14:26; Eph. 5:22-24, 33; 1 Pet. 3:1-12; 1 Tim. 2:11-15; Tit. 2:4; 1 Tim. 2:9, 10; Prov. 31:10-12
A4. The God-fearing Children: Children are to love and obey God first and obey their parents. Be submissive to the admonition, discipline and correction of their parents; love and respect others. Represent God and your parents well wherever you go. Be hardworking in life. Do not play with prayer and worship life. Do not play with your academics and destiny.
Ps. 127:3; Eph. 6:1-3; Lk. 2:5; Ex. 20:12; Gen. 22:1-18, 22-26, 27-34; 1 Sam. 2:12-18
A5. The God-fearing Relations, Maids, etc in the Home: They are to obey and be loyal to the master and mistress of the house. They are to do it not with eye service but unto the LORD. They are to join in the family worship.
Tit. 2:8-14; Eph. 6:5-7; Col. 3:22-25
A6. Others, external people with influence: The family members would relate to this category of people with love, respect, caution and prayers. They must be sure of God’s leading in all dealings and interactions.
Mt. 22:37-40; 1 Jn. 4:7-11; Mt. 5:43-48; 1 Jn. 2:15-18; 2 Jn. 1:8-11; 1 Jn. 4:1-6
