Being the CHURCH at Home

08192015 Bringing it home

Imagine spending three years following Jesus and then being charged with the task of keeping the good work going, guiding people to be followers of Jesus in his absence. Throw in all the different personalities and cultural backgrounds and family history and you have the recipe for a disaster! And there you have a fairly accurate picture of the first century church. A lot of rules, a lot of bosses, a lot of reason to avoid becoming a part of  “the Way.”

I love how they came to their senses, and listened to the Holy Spirit whispering to their spirit (Acts 15:28). His message was no different than that of their Lord. With all the differing opinions of how to be the church, the followers, the leaders that Jesus wanted them to be, the focus needed to narrow to what was most important… basically… don’t be immoral and don’t be rude, offending others (Acts 15:29).  That aligns directly with what Jesus said was most important… love God; love each other. 

Now, let’s bring that home. If you were to compare the environment in your home to the instructed atmosphere prescribed for the early church, would your family fit that model? What do your children learn from you about not offending or being rude?

Do you work hard to explain with love rather than lose your cool and yell?

Do you expect your children to know things and model behaviors that you have possibly failed to teach them?

Do you lead them with patience so they feel valued?

Do you explain the correct way to say something so that it isn’t rude or just tell them they are being rude?

Do you allow unkind words and actions or are there consequences for them?

Do you use unkind words or actions at home?

How about the immorality issue? Do you even think about comparing what you claim as right and wrong with morality as defined in scripture? Maybe you don’t know what the Bible has to say about moral values. Maybe it is time to read and learn. I believe that 2 Timothy 3:16-17 is true; that

“God has breathed life into all of scripture.

It is useful for teaching us what is true.

It is useful for correcting our mistakes,

It is useful for making our lives whole again.

It is useful for training us to do what is right.

By using Scripture, a man of God can be

completely prepared to do every good thing.”

If we allow society to be the moral compass that directs us in raising our children and making decisions for our families, we have chosen the wrong source of information disguised as “truth.” If you think the Bible is outdated and you can choose your values without it, you may well be in the majority, however, you will discover at some point that the Truth of God’s Word is a most precious gift. It is a lamp to our feet and a light for our path and without it there will be much wandering in the wilderness looking for what is good and right and healthy for our families.

Maybe we need to work harder at learning to follow God's morality and start being kind and considerate to others so that our kids will learn the prescription given by God's Spirit, for those who would lead others to the heart of God. Are you on-board? You will never regret it!