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The Parents and the Children
The Spiritual/Devotional Life of the Home
Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 6: 4-9
What is the foundation of a good devotional life?
The foundation of a good devotional life is the personal commitment of the parents to live a life that is Christian. If Christ is not real in the parents, they will never be able to make Him real to their children. Christ must be the center of the home. The home must be a place where the principles of the kingdom operate. This means that every Christian home should be characterized by:
* Many things, which are not found there. A Christian home has the peculiar absence of many things central to the homes of the ungodly.
* The exaltation of Christian duties. There are many needed actions basic to the Christian life needed to be found in abundance in the home.
Do we see expressions of the following in our homes?
> Loving one/another (1 John 4:7)
> Esteeming one another better than ourselves (Philippians 2:3)
> Looking out for the interests of one another (Philippians 2:4)
> Setting one’s affections on the things above (Colossians 3:2)
> Bearing one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2)
> Feeding one’s enemies (Romans 12:20)
> Running the race of life with patience (Hebrews 12:1)
> Being kind to one another (Ephesians 4:2)
> The demonstration of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).
The home should be the first place where these virtues are expressed.
The absence of the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:17-21)
There should be an absence of selfishness, covetousness, pride, and disregard for others’ rights. These things, which are so prevalent in the world, have no place in the Christian home. Christianity must be a real and spontaneous lifestyle in the home. When it is, the rewards are tremendous. If Christianity is not a way of life in the home, the children will be trained to be hypocritical (Matthew 23:1-39; Romans 2:21-24.
What does the word “devotions” mean?
The world “devotions” comes from words like “devote, devoted, devotee, devotion”. The Britannica World Language Dictionary says:
DEVOTE means:
> To give or apply (attention, time, or oneself) completely to some activity, purpose, etc.
> To set apart; dedicate; consecrate
DEVOTED means:
> A feeling or a showing of devotion; ardent; zealous; devout
> Set apart, as be a vow, consecrated
DEVOTEE means:
> One zealously devoted, especially to religious observances; a zealot
DEVOTION means:
> The state of being devoted, as to religious faith or duty; zeal
> Strong attachment or affection expressing itself in earnest service
Every Christian home is to be a place where we give or apply ourselves to the purposes of God, setting us apart to the service of the Lord and the exaltation of His kingdom.
Whose responsibility is it for a good devotional life?
It is the father’s responsibility. God has placed the father as the spiritual head of the home (Ephesians 5:22; 1 Corinthians 11:3). As such, the charge of God is upon him to see his children follow and respond to the ways of God (Ephesians 6:4). Every man from Adam to the present has been given this charge and every husband has been given a helpmeet to assist him. The initiative, however, does not belong to the wife; it belongs to the father. The father is the one who will be held accountable (1 Samuel 3:11-14; Exodus 4:24-26; Genesis 18:19). Fathers must realize since they are called of God, God will also equip them for this service. A personal heart of devotion to the Lord and a willingness to prepare and God will do the rest.
What are some guidelines to help fathers lead home devotions?
> The father must be the initiator of spiritual enrichment in the home.
> The father must make sure that the atmosphere in the home is conducive to spiritual growth.
> The father must be diligent to pursue the spiritual well being of family members.
> The father must continually encourage his children in leadership development.
> The father must make a time for special spiritual activities.
> The father must include everyone regardless of age.
> The father must be creative with devotional activities and avoid getting into a rut.
The father should use the following ideas with variety:
> Conversational prayer
> Memorization of Scripture
> Story-telling
> Dramatization
> Singing
> Sharing
> Praying for the sick
> Devotional reading
> Worship
> Playing instruments
> Bible reading
> Testimonies
> Etc.
The father must use every opportunity in the home as a learning experience.
The father must answer questions of the children correctly (even if it involves research).
The father must be a feeder who is sensitive to the individual needs of his children.
The father must be sensitive to the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of his children.
The father must be prepared to lead his child to the Lord.
The father should not be afraid to include visitors in family exercises.
The father must be willing to seek council and advice from other fathers.
The father must continually encourage a trust, reliance, and acknowledgement of the Lord in all circumstances.
The father should help to assure that the children retire to bed with the good things of the Lord on their hearts and minds.
What are the benefits of a good devotional life?
A good devotional life where the family seeks the Lord together will bring forth good fruit.
> It establishes good devotional habits in the lives of the children.
> It demonstrates the fact that we recognize God as the head of the home.
> It draws the family closer together.
> It provides an opportunity to heal spiritual problems.
> It helps maintain good lines of communication between family members.
> It establishes the father as the spiritual leader of the home.
> It provides a context in which children can learn to know God, pray, and become familiar with Biblical truths.
> It produces love, joy, and peace in the home.
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