Lesson 11 - God's Guide for the Christian Home

1. WHAT IS THE FOUNDATION OF THE CHRISTIAN HOME?

Genesis 2:24 — For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

Matthew 19:6 — So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.

Matthew 19:9 — I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery.

Hebrews 13:4 — Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.

Matthew 5:28 — But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

The foundation of the Christian home is a lifelong marriage between husband and wife, in which they give their physical love to each other, and to no one else.

2. WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONDUCT AND WELFARE OF THE CHRISTIAN HOME?

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 a promise — “that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Ephesians 5:22,23,25 — Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church…Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.

1 Timothy 5:8 — If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

The parents must control and support the Christian home, but the final responsibility rests upon the husband. Children in turn become responsible for the care of their disabled parents.

3. WHAT KIND OF CONVERSATION BELONGS IN A CHRISTIAN HOME?

Ephesians 4:29 — Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Exodus 20:7 — You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.

Our words should show respect for each other and reverence for God.

4. WHAT ARE THE GOALS OF THE CHRISTIAN FAMILY?

1 Timothy 6:9 — People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.

Matthew 6:32,33 — Your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Ephesians 4:32 — Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Revelations 2:10 — Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Most important is the family’s relationship with God. Second is the family’s love and concern for each other. After these, money, health, education and reputation are important too, but only in third place.

5. WHAT IS THE REWARD FOR THOSE WHO FOLLOW GOD’S GUIDE FOR THE CHRISTIAN HOME?

Luke 6:38 — Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

We will usually enjoy the love and gratitude of our family, and the respect of others.

Romans 3:23,24 — For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

We cannot deserve God’s favor, but he graciously blesses our family with security and joy, and for Jesus’ sake alone continues to grant us forgiveness and life.

SUMMARY: Many of the Ten Commandments apply to family life. They show us what rules must be followed to keep life as pleasant as possible in a sick and sinful world. Husband and wife must be faithful to each other. The parents must exert firm but loving discipline over their children. Words which reveal our sinful thoughts should not be spoken. Money must never become the most important consideration. Rather the family should work together to keep close to each other and to Jesus. The more we live according to God’s rules, the happier our family life will be. God’s blessing and forgiveness come, however, not because we are good, but because he is gracious.

QUICKIE QUIZ (T OR F)

1. ___ Divorce is never pleasing to God.
2. ___ Parents should have as many children as they want.
3. ___ Sexual relations outside of marriage are always sinful.
4. ___ Sex should not be discussed lightly because sex is sinful.
5. ___ When children turn out bad, the parents are to blame.
6. ___ When a person becomes eighteen years old, he no longer has to obey his parents.
7. ___ It is sinful to talk about our neighbor’s sins in the privacy of our homes.
8. ___ A good education will help a child more than anything else.
9. ___ A shortage of money can greatly upset the peace and unity of the home.
10. ___ God takes us to heaven because we believe in him and honor him in our homes.

WHERE DOES THE BIBLE SAY

that a marriage should never break up?

Matthew 19:6 — So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.
that it is sinful to sexually desire someone other than your spouse?

Hebrews 13:4 — Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.
that fathers should see to it that their children learn about the Lord ?

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 a promise — “that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
that we should not curse or swear?

Ephesians 4:29 — Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
that greed can ruin a family?

1 Timothy 6:9 — People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.

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