Theme for the Second Quarter
“Treasures of a Godly Home”
Home evokes some kind of feeling or memory in us all. For many of us, the feeling is warm and comforting. Unfortunately for some, it is not a pleasant memory. As we look into the Scriptures, we find God’s plan for the home and His design is always one of blessing.
The dynamics of each individual home may vary; to many, home is father, mother and several children. But home may also be a childless couple or a single parent raising children. It may be an older couple living alone whose children are on their own. It may be a blended family, a family caring for elderly parents, a single person living alone—a widow, widower, divorced person, or someone who never married. It could even be several adult siblings living still at home together, like the Bethany home of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary, whom Jesus loved and often visited. For the purpose of the general discussion, we will primarily be mentioning the father-mother-children home scene.
To each of these different home situations, however, the principles of Scripture apply. The spirit, the atmosphere, and the tone of the home can be one where God’s presence and blessing is known and felt—a heavenly place.
Years ago when we were a family with young children, the Lord visited us with a vision of what it meant to have a true godly home. In the years that have passed since that time, we have endeavored to put that vision into practical daily life. There were times we were discouraged with our progress on the journey toward this goal. But God held the vision ever before us. He gently led us (Isaiah 40:11).
In this series of lessons, we feel inspired to put some of that vision into instructional teaching. It is our prayer that others will catch the vision and be encouraged on their own journey. —Sis. Angela Gellenbeck
“. . . He blesseth the habitation of the just.” Proverbs 3:33
APRIL 3, 2016
VISION FOR A GODLY HOME
Joshua 24:14 Now therefore fear the Lord, 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 Lord.
15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, 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 Lord.
Psalm 101:2 I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
Psalm 128:1 Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in his ways.
2 For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.
3 Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.
4 Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord. (Also Psalm 112:1-2; Proverbs 20:7).
Isaiah 65:23 They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the Lord, and their offspring with them. (Also Isaiah 44:2-3 and Isaiah 59:21).
MEMORY VERSE: Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
—Proverbs 24:3-4
CENTRAL THOUGHT: God has pronounced a blessing, upon not only the individual who will fear Him and walk in His ways, but upon his family as well. He desires to dwell in the home of His followers, filling it with holiness, peace, and joy. The home is to be sanctified—set apart for Him and given to His service.
WORD DEFINITIONS
Joshua 24:14 “Fear the Lord”: literally, to dread; be affrighted; morally, to stand in awe of; revere. “Sincerity”: perfection; what is complete; entirely in accord with truth and fact. “Truth”: stability; faithfulness; reliability. “On the other side of the flood”: In Chaldea or Mesopotamia, on the other side of the Euphrates.
15 “If it seem evil”: displeasing, troublesome, afflicting. “As for me and my house”: Not only myself, but my whole household; those living in the home with me. “The Lord”: Jehovah.
Psalm 128:2 “Eat of the labour”: enjoy the comforts and enjoyment of his own industry and honest livelihood, both in a literal and spiritual sense. “Happy”: blessed. “It shall be
well”: prosperity; beauty; bounty.
3 “As a fruitful vine by the sides of thy house”: within, or in the inner chambers. It refers to the tenderness of the weaker vessel, who clings to her husband and is a keeper at home. “Olive plants”: olive shoots; the vigorous offsets of an aged olive tree, which spring up around it, ready to take its place.
LESSON BACKGROUND
Joshua’s challenge came at the end of his last message to the elders of Israel, who were gathered together after they had entered the land of Canaan and made it their possession. The covenant made that day by the people was commemorated by a stone pillar erected under an oak tree by the sanctuary. Shortly thereafter, Joshua died.
Joshua’s declaration states the solemn resolve and purpose each of us should maintain for our homes. “We will serve the Lord.” In other scriptures, we read of God’s testimony of homes with this purpose and blessing, such as Abraham’s household in Genesis 18:19; Zacharias and Elizabeth in Luke 1:5-6; Cornelius in Acts 10:1-2; and the home where Timothy grew up, II Timothy 1:5 and 3:15.
The writer in Psalms gives a beautiful picture of a young man seeking after God, living in conscientious reverence and obedience, and enjoying the blessings of hard work, a devoted wife and happy children round about him.
This psalm is thought to have been a second part to the preceding psalm, and written during the rebuilding of Jerusalem after the captivity.
Isaiah’s pronunciation of blessings, not only on an individual, but upon his offspring—his children, grandchildren, and further descendants—actually points forward to the Messiah, who was the “seed” promised to Eve, and His seed, all the born again throughout the ages. Literal Zion was a type of the Church, Christ’s bride. The promises to the children of Zion of the peace and blessing through the Holy Spirit can most certainly be applied to marriage and the home, which is a type of Christ’s bride as well. Godliness in the home is the greatest legacy one can give to future generations.
The memory verse gives us the key to a godly, harmonious, and joyful home. It is only when the home is established upon wise godly principles that it can endure and be filled with true riches. “Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it” (Psalm 127:1).
—Sis. Angela Gellenbeck
DISCUSSION:
- Before Marriage: Discuss qualities of a godly courtship that will prepare a couple for godliness within the home.
- As you Begin: What goal should a Christian couple establish as they begin their life together? State practical ways a couple can make this a reality in their home.
- The Benefits: What blessings are pronounced upon the home that maintains this resolve?
- As a Single: Express how a single person can bless his/her home with this same
consecration.
COMMENTS AND APPLICATION
God has truly laid out in the scriptures a plan for the home. From the beginning He made the man and his wife to be one flesh; a cohesive unit, not to be divided; a little temple of worship and instruction dedicated to him; an earthly example of His heavenly union with His bride, the church (Gen. 2:24 and Eph. 5:31-32).
How can we really apply this? Starting before marriage is best, with the earnest dedication of our lives to God, to only marry as He wills, and to remember that we—our hearts and our bodies—are to be vessels of honor and holy temples unto him. Praying together, reading and discussing the scriptures together, and creating, just the two of you, a dedication of your marriage and life together unto His will are some very positive ways to do this.
As children enter the home, dedicate them to the Lord and determine to raise them in faith and obedience to His Word. Study how to train them positively. Pray with them and for them. Ask God continually to show you ways to create an atmosphere of worship, joy, and harmony for your children.
Filter your home constantly of things of this world that would promote a different atmosphere than what is your ideal. Ask God to show you how to make all things that you watch, listen to, read, spend time with, love, and put your approval on—“excellent” in His sight.
Most of all, keep your eyes on your goal: a godly home. Don’t be discouraged by failures; use them as stepping stones. Study other godly examples and learn from both positive and not so positive experiences. Make this a lifelong quest.
—Sis. Angela Gellenbeck
REFLECTIONS
May God help us to passionately pursue a godly home environment that will convince and convict our children of the true power of God unto the salvation of their souls. Let’s deliberately prevent earthly self-indulgent activities from foiling the purpose of our homes as beacons of light to our children and neighbors, as the following song intimates:
Lord, give us Christian homes!
Homes where the Bible is loved and taught,
Homes where the Master’s will is sought,
Homes crowned with beauty Your love has wrought;
Lord, give us Christian homes;
Lord, give us Christian homes!
Lord, give us Christian homes!
Homes where the father is true and strong,
Homes that are free from the weight of wrong,
Homes that are joyous with love and song,
Lord, give us Christian homes;
Lord, give us Christian homes!
Song written by B. B. McKinney
—Bro. Jeremy Booher
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