IMPORTANT ELEMENTS OF THE HOME (1)

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   The home:

1.    The first divinely created institution (Gen. 2:18-24)

2.    The basic element of a society

a.    “The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home” (Abraham Lincoln).

b.    “The home is the foundation of our national life” (Theodore Roosevelt).

c.    “The home is the foundation upon which the character of individuals, the strength of the church, and the stability of society are built” (ChatGPT).

3.    The place where individuals either thrive or die.

 

B.   In this lesson, we want to discuss some of the “Important Elements of the Home.”

 

I.             JESUS CHRIST:  Foundation (John 15:5b)

 

…for without me ye can do nothing.

 

A.   Word

1.    We cannot separate Jesus Christ from His Word (John 12:48).

 

He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words…

 

2.    Jesus’ words should be read, studied, discussed constantly in the home. 

a.    Deuteronomy 6:6-7

 

And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart.  And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

 

b.    There are a lot of attitudes about God’s Word that will not allow it to be a reality in the home:  disinterest, it’s boring, I want a few parts but not all, the teachings are not relevant, etc.  (NOTE:  As long as these attitudes are in the home, the home will suffer weaknesses).

 

B.   Walk

1.    Those in the home are not only to read and study God’s Word, they are to walk by it.

2.    NOTE:  There is a great difference between lip-service and obedience.

a.    The difference is found in the word “do.”

b.    Lip-service says, but it does not do.  Obedience both says and does.

3.    John 8:31

 

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed.

 

C.   Worship

1.    Things God has put in the home.

a.    A loving relationship between husband and wife.

b.    The gift of children

c.    Nourishment, education, and safety.

2.    With the blessings found in the home, one would think that all members of the family would long to worship God for just the blessings received therein.

3.    John 4:23b

 

…the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth:  for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

 

D.   Work

1.    In the pages of God’s Word, we learn that when we become Christians, we are supposed to work for the Lord.

2.    Verses:

a.    We were “hired” into His vineyard (Matt. 20:1).

b.    Ephesians 2:10

 

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

 

c.    Titus 2:14

 

Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works.

 

II.           LEADERSHIP:  Guidance (1 Tim. 5:14)

 

I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

 

A.   Husband

1.    The husband is the head of the house.

a.    1 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.

 

b.    Ephesians 5:23

 

For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church:  and he is the Saviour of the body.

 

 

2.    Head:

a.    Definition

1)    Strong (2776):  from a word that indicates seizing, the head

2)    Thayer:  the head, anything that is supreme, chief, prominent, master, lord

3)    Vine:  metaphorically, of the authority of the man over the wife

b.    Headship sounds like a lofty, glorified position.  What many forget is that it has massive obligations attached to it.

1)    He is the spiritual leader (Eph. 6:4).

2)    He is the provider (1 Tim. 5:8).

3)    He is the one accountable for his household (1 Sam. 3:12-13).

B.   Mother

1.    The word “guide” found in 1 Timothy 5:14 means “ruler.”

2.    She is obligated to give commands, guidance, and counsel to those in her home (Prov. 1:8).

 

My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother.

 

a.    The mother gives laws to her household.

b.    The children are instructed not to forsake that law.

 

C.   Quotes:

1.    “The home is the first school of the child, the parent is the first teacher.”

2.    “The most overwhelming key to a child's success is the positive involvement of parents.” – BrainyQuote

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   Without the home, our societies would be completely different than our present model. 

 

B.   We cannot truly envision what a nation would be like without the home as its foundation.

1.    How would children be conceived?

2.    Would children be loved?

3.    Would all children be protected?

4.    Who would care for their physical, emotional, and medical needs?

5.    Where would children live?

6.    How would children be educated and trained?

7.    What would children do once they become adults?

NOTE:  The answers to these questions would give us some understanding of how a nation without the home would be organized and how it would work.

 

C.   The home originated in the wisdom of God.  There can be no adequate substitute for it.  Even Children Homes and foster care cannot adequately accomplish what God intended for a home to accomplish.

1.    Let’s keep the home God gave us intact.

2.    Let’s maintain our homes in the manner in which God intended.

3.    Let’s fight every enemy who would seek to destroy the home as God gave it.