Ephesians 5:22-23

Today’s Homes Homes are decaying Divorce rates were 400,000, annually Need more study of homes, especially homes of Christians What constitutes a Christian Home?

What Constitutes A Home? Not bricks, stone, wood, etc. There are homes in tents, (Arabs), mud huts, etc. Much emphasis on material houses Many living in houses don’t have homes Sometimes like church—a man and woman who have mutually agreed to live together as husband and wife, and fulfill legal obligations Thus a home has been started

Permanency Of The Home Marriage is a decision for life Enter it with that in mind God hates divorce, as He does all sin – Mal. 2:15 Christ teaches marriage for life with one exception – Matt. 5:31, 32; 19:9 Why do marriages fail? Lack of Bible teaching and respect for it and each other Entered into as experimental Must come back to God’s way

What Is A Christian Home? Both parents are Christians Every child is entitled to this: may be deprived of toys, luxuries, education but not of parents… Christians marry Christians Marry outside the church—heartache and sin! Why? Lack of agreement on God’s word One parent bearing the burden of rearing child Conflict of influences Children lost because of continual division

What Is The Home Made Of? Husband and/or father – Eph. 5:23 Head, not a figurehead, puppet, but the head Wife and/or mother – Eph. 5:24 Win a husband not a Christian – 1 Peter 3:2 Husbands are not “lords” – 1 Peter 3:7, “Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.” Husbands may think more of auto than their wife! Children – 1 Tim. 5:14 (God’s intent)

Parental Responsibility Teach Bible principles – Eph. 6:4 (NURTURE) An O. T. principle – Deut 6:6-9 Have a Bible study period at home The new curriculum Pray in the home Both parents teaching Must be a zeal of the Lord in the home Provide recreation in the home: You know where they are and what they are doing

Children’s Responsibility Obedience – Eph. 6:1-3, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) 3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.” Honor your parents – Prov. 23:22, “Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.”

Is Your Home A Christian Home?? Does Love Reign??