Principles for the Christian Household

INTRO: God’s word reveals principles and patterns for family relationships. For every relationship there are responsibilities outlined in His Word. God has a plan and a purpose for the family, in a world where marriage and family has been redefined. God created marriage and family and knows what makes a healthy family.

The church must depend on God’s word to discover His will for the family. The family must submit to God’s plan so that the Holy Spirit can enlighten and empower our homes in a world darkened by sin. It’s God’s will for the family not only to survive but to thrive.

There is no better witness to a world shrouded in the darkness of sin, than a home (a family) that is filled with the love of God!

Be a Christian Example

Colossians 3:16–17 NKJV

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Be an Example in the Word and Deed God’s truth in the home is better caught than taught. The parental example carries more weight than words.

As God’s Word fills our hearts and living, there will flow out of us godly wisdom and counsel in relationships with others, especially those in our own family.

The Apostle Paul commanded that Christians encourage one another by singing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Such worship by the family, in the home, provides a spiritual environment in which to teach, train, and influence the lives of children, while at the same time, enhancing the marriage relationship of the parents.

The family who worships the Lord Jesus Christ in the home and in the church is equipped to be a blessing to the church, and an example that will encourage believers, and the unsaved in the God-given blessing of living for Jesus Christ.

Be an Example in Relationships

Titus 2:1–8 NKJV

But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things—that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.

Be an Example in Relationships

Titus 2:1–8 NKJV

The Apostle Paul’s instruction on relationships. Paul told him of the sound (correct) doctrine.

Sound doctrine is not merely a list of rules, but God’s Word empowered by the Holy Spirit to govern minds, hearts and transform lives.

Older Christian Men Should be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith charity and patience.

grave - is behaving with seriousness, dignity and honesty

temperate - is well balanced, not given to excesses

sound faith - believing and doing what is right

charity/love - loving as God and Christ does

patience - persevering in doing what is right to all people in all circumstances

Older Women Their behavior, (demeanor, words, and deeds) are to be consistent with holiness, God’s standard for living.

Older women are to be truthful not addicted to alcohol, teaching of good things. They are to teach (train, disciple) young women how to live as Christians.

Young Women Are to be taught to be sober and to love their husbands and children.

discreet (self controlled)

chaste (morally pure)

keepers at home fulfilling their duties in the home

good kind and obedient (submissive) to their husbands

So their manner of living will not cause the Gospel to be discredited

Young Men are to be sober minded (prudent and sincere) set a pattern (example) of good works in all things.

In doctrine - what they believe and practice

Uncorrupted, having integrity and being sincere, their words and manner of life are to be above reproach.

Provide Godly Instruction and Discipline

Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV) Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.

Train up your children, dedicating our children to the Lord by the training we give them.

To curb their tendencies to do evil, cultivating their desire to do good. Training a child in the way he should go, means guiding a child unto the path of God.

Proverbs 4:20–27 (NKJV) My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.

Put away from you a deceitful mouth, And put perverse lips far from you. Let your eyes look straight ahead, And your eyelids look right before you. Ponder the path of your feet, And let all your ways be established. Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil.

Proverbs 13:24 (NKJV) He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.

Proverbs 19:18 “Chasten your son while there is hope, And do not set your heart on his destruction.”

Parental Discipline Discipline is defined, in part as training that corrects, mods, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character. To produce the kind of character that honors God.

Through discipline a child learns self-discipline, self-respect, and responsibility. Sometimes corrective punishment is appropriate.

Encouragement Obedience and Kindness

Ephesians 6:1-4 “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.”

Deuteronomy 5:16 “‘Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may be well with you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you.”

Colossians 3:20-21 “Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.”

The biblical commandment for the children to obey and honor parents assumes parents are living live worthy of obedience and honor.

obey - means to hear and do what is right

honor - means to have reverence and respect for you parents, as long as they are alive, they are to be love, honored and cared for by their children.

it holds the promise of a good long life

Do Not Provoke Your Children Ephesians 6:4 “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.”

As Christians we do not want to deal with our children in harsh, unfair and unreasonable ways that will provoke them to wrath.

Colossians 3:21 “Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.”

The Message: Parents, don’t come down too hard on your children or you’ll crush their spirits.

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