God’s Design for the Home
INTRODUCTION.
A. Down through the years, many "experts" have attempted to redefine the home. They believe that the Christian’s design for the home is not adequate to the needs of mankind. They believe that there are too many restrictions placed upon the behavior and operation of the home.
B. Christians must always remember the words of David when he wrote, "Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it:..." (Psa. 127:1a)
C. Christians must determine to follow God’s design for the home. Christians must stand fast in God's word and His plan.
D. It is the purpose of this lesson to show the correct design for the home as established by God.
I. GOD'S DESIGN FOR THE HOME.
A. The family must first be built on a husband and wife relationship.
1. God created male and female. (Matthew 19:4,5)
2. One man for one woman for life. (Romans 7:2)
a. Paul wrote, “A wife is bound by law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 7:39, NKJV)
b. The marriage is designed to exist as one man and one woman becoming "one flesh" for a life time commitment.
c. No man has the right to terminate this life time commitment. (Matthew 19:6 - “So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” (NKJV))
3. The only reasons for this union to be dissolved is:
a. fornication. (Matthew 19:9)
b. death. (Romans 7:2-3)
B. There must be a resolve within the head of the family to serve God.
1. This was Abraham's resolve. (Genesis 18:19)
2. This was Joshua's resolve. (Joshua 24:15)
3. The father has the right and the responsibility to make the decision for his family to serve the Lord.
a. The husband is the head of the wife. (Ephesians 5:23)
b. The wife is subject to the husband. (Ephesians 5:24)
c. The husband loves his wife. (Ephesians 5:25-28)
(1) Christ showed the extent of His love for the church by giving Himself for the church so that He could present a holy church without spot, wrinkle, or blemish. (Ephesians 5:25-28)
(2) The father who loves his wife and his family in the same manner in which Christ loved the church, will try to direct his family in a manner that would be acceptable unto God.
4. The way that the father will present his family acceptable unto God will be by leading his family in the commandments of God and teaching his family the law of Christ. Not only will a father teach God's word to his family, but he will see to it that the family lives by God's word.
C. Parents must teach their children God's word. (Ephesians 6:4)
1. Parents must not leave the teaching of their children to the bible classes and worship services alone.
2. The teaching done in the Bible classes and worship services should not comprise the whole of your and your child's learning. The Bible classes and worship services should only augment or re-enforce you and your child's regular bible study at home.
3. Consider the principle of home study given to the Israelites. (Deuteronomy 6:5-9)
4. The principle taught in God's command to the Israelites concerning their daily study of God's word is sound under the New Covenant. We have to understand that when the New Covenant was established, the Jews were still following the study practices taught in the Old Law. When the first century Christians were taught to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, the Christians were more than likely obeying the principle that they had been following for years.
D. The parents must set the right example.
1. Your children will see the way you live. They will see whether or not you practice what you teach.
2. Consider the case of Azariah who reigned as king of Judah. Azariah did that which was right in the sight of the Lord. Why? Because he had seen his father walk righteously. (2 King 15:1-4)
3. There was also the case of Timothy. Both his mother and grandmother lived faithfully unto God. Timothy saw his mother's and grandmother's examples and followed those examples. (2 Timothy 1:5)
E. The family must live by the Gospel if they are going to maintain the proper foundation. Consider some specific teachings that must be observed in the home.
1. Your family must be assembling with the saints as much as possible. Why? For learning, for edification, for love, for admonishment, and, if necessary, for rebuke. (Hebrews 10:24-25; 2 Timothy 4:2 - “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.” (NKJV))
2. Your family must diligently study so that the members of the family will be found acceptable unto God. (2 Timothy 2:15 - “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (NKJV))
3. Your family must not subject themselves to evil and wicked influences. (Psalms 101:3; 1 Corinthians 15:33 - “Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” (NKJV))
4. Your family must be taught to use proper language; not that which is corrupt and foul. (Ephesians. 4:29 - “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” (NKJV))
5. Your family must be taught to know how to discern right from wrong. (Hebrews 5:12-14)
6. Your family must revolve around God.
a. Each family member must be taught to obey God's word, making themselves living sacrifices.
b. These living sacrifices must be set apart from the world so that they will be able to devote their existence to God. (Romans 12:1,2; Ephesians 2:10; 1 Peter 2:9)
7. Your family must be taught that God is all powerful, all knowing, and always present everywhere. God is always right and, come the end of time, the only thing that will matter is whether or not the members of your family obeyed God.
CONCLUSION.
A. Are you allowing your family to be "redesigned" by the moral wants and desires of the society in which we live?
B. Are you insisting that your family follow God's word, serving Him to the best of their ability?
C. As parents, your child's future is in your hands. How you shape your child and by what standard you shape your child will determine how their future will be shaped.
D. The only family that will work is the family that is wholly devoted to God and to His word.
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God’s Design for the Home – February 16, 2003 -- File # 2584
by John M. Duvall – Lawton, OK