But as for me and my house… Joshua 24:15

14 Now therefore fear the L ORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the L ORD. 15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the L ORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the L ORD. Joshua 24

Acts 10:1-2 1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, 2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always. (Vs the whole household was baptized)

Acts 16: And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. 32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. 34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.

Acts 16: And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither. 14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. 15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

What made the whole households decide to follow God?? Cultural – head of household? Compelling events or miracles? Baptism by the Holy Spirit? Really good teaching? Background knowledge? A strong and respectable leader in the family!! » I Tim. 3:4-5

5 Ways to Become the Leader Your Family Will Follow Ask yourself, in regard to your family? Can they trust your judgment? Would your family consider you able to make good decisions? Are you practicing what you preach? Are you fostering a healthy relationship with the young members of your family? Eph. 6:4

#1 Realize we Change our Families Only by Changing Ourselves Also known as influence Its easier to prescribe than to subscribe The examples of men and women in the Bible were leaders and not directors Notice how a husband might be won without a word (I Pet. 3:1)

#2 Obtain and Employ Wisdom James 1:5 contains a solemn promise Many dont realize what wisdom is The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom; And with all your acquiring, get understanding. Proverbs 4:7 Wisdom leads to: – Peace – Spirituality – Happiness – Humility – Prayer – Righteousness – Good decisions – Respect – Salvation

#1 Realize we Change our Families only by Changing Ourselves #2 Obtain Wisdom

#3 Learn to Love Educate yourself – enduring love is not intuitive Love is action Love requires practice Break away from any cultural barriers or traditions Unconditional love – Ephesians 5:33 Dont wait till kids are 20 years old to start loving

#4 Learn Patience Patience not necessary if all is going well Have you ever lived or worked with someone who is not patient Can your family approach you with problems… Lack of patience can provoke to wrath Show respect and command respect Listen, seek to understand how they feel rather than telling them how to feel (II Tim. 4:2)

#5 Be Committed and Consistent Make the hard decisions Be consistent when its easy and when its not (II Tim. 4:2) Commit our children to Gods work first (I Samuel 1) Commit our service to God, Jesus and family

But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!! Getting started…. Hear (Romans 10) Believe (Romans 10) Confess (Romans 10) Repent (Acts 2:38) Be Baptized (Acts 2:38)