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Archive for Christ-centered home

biblical foundations

Biblical values to build into your home

Posted by Carey 
· Monday, May 6th, 2013 

Some core biblical values to consider.

When Mindi and I were expecting our first child, we did the typical “new parent” things.

  • We read books on pregnancy. (and we watched a video or two like the one at the bottom of this post)
  • We read books on parenting.
  • We talked a lot about our hopes and dreams for our family.

It was a very exciting time.

But one of the most important conversations we had, had to do with the “biblical values” we wanted to characterize our home and family.

Have you given that much thought?

Since our goal was to have a Christ-centered home, we wanted the things characteristic of God/Christ to be characteristic of our home and family.

Here is a short-list of things that we saw as “nonnegotiable” for our home.

THE INDWELLING OF CHRIST

In Galatians chapter 2, verse 20 Paul wrote…

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

This is one of the most important biblical values we taught our kids. Everything else we had to teach them depended on this one.

biblical values

 

Admittedly, it’s one of the deeper truths of the New Testament… even difficult for adults to grasp at times (which is one reason why I’m making a video curriculum on the topic).

Of course, we brought it down to their level, but we didn’t down-play or soften its meaning or significance in doing so.

Our kids need to recognize that their Christian life is not about a “new law” they are to follow (which is how many people deal with the New Testament).

They (and we) need to understand that because of their faith in Christ, they have Jesus Himself living in and through them via the power of the Holy Spirit.

The promise of new life is no joke.

90187: Who Am I? Who Am I?
By Frank Friedmann / Evergreen Press ~ There is a difference between doing and being. A delightful story that teaches children this truth: what they do does not determine who they are.

Practically…

We talked about these truths from day one, when they were infants, when they were toddlers, when they were beginning to learn the basics of language, and beyond… to this day.

We read them books that taught and emphasized these truths (see the box on the right for one of our favorites.**)

We talked to them in the course of real life about Jesus living in them.

We drew out examples from their attitudes and behaviors where we could see Christ producing His fruit in them.

We encouraged them to learn to listen to the Spirit in the decisions and actions of daily live.

This one is foundational. It is what is underneath every other one I will mention. If it’s not, then all you are doing is raising little legalists.

TRUTH/HONESTY

Jesus said, in John chapter 18, verse 27

For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

Truth is a big deal to God. It always has been. From the entrance of sin in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1) we see God dealing with untruth quite severely.

As parents, we not only wanted our children to understand that lying (even white lies) was bad – but WHY it was wrong.

Lying (untruth) is wrong because it violates the very nature and character of God.

He created language to reveal truth. When it is used to pervert truth (to say lies), it is not being used for its intended purpose and brings dishonor to God, the Creator of language.

Practically…

That meant that we decided, even before our children were born, that lying or deceit would be dealt with immediately and seriously.

Spankings were almost always the punishment for lying.

It was dealt with sternly.

If deceit was part of it… things got even worse.

Think it through… if Christ is to be the center of the home, then truth must be central to that home as well.

LOVE/CONSIDERATION

In first John chapter 14, verse 8 the scriptures teach that love is another thing that is fundamental to God’s nature.

Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

And notice the way this verse connects the dots…

GOD IS LOVE…

THEREFORE ANYONE WHO KNOWS HIM WILL BE LOVING.

As parents, we not only wanted our kids to be “nice,” we wanted them to understand that being “loving” was a reflection of the character of God, and of their relationship with Him.

Practically…

It meant that we taught our kids about God, and His love for them.

It meant that we led them to place their faith in Him.

We taught them how their relationship with God had to impact their relationships with others.

When one of them was being greedy, or petty, or intentionally cruel toward their sibling – we responded immediately and strongly.

We didn’t say, “Oh, that’s how brothers are…” or “Brothers and sisters fight… that’s just the way it is.”

No.

We refused to allow that to be the case, because we knew that the God who lived in them desired to make His love known through them.

And we knew that as we guided them in understanding, He would guide them personally in applying it.

Tell me how these ideas strike you. Have you had these kinds of conversations together as parents? Are you beginning these kinds of conversations with your spouse?

 

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Categories : Parenting
Tags : biblical values, Christ-centered home, indwelling Christ
pray for your children

The Power of a Good Example – or – Why you should listen to me

Posted by Carey 
· Monday, July 9th, 2012 

The power of a good example

The power of a good example

photo: wikimediacommons.com

Years back, my wife decided she needed some help getting into shape, so she struck up a conversation with a guy named Brian who attended our church. Brian was a personal trainer. Not only had we heard good things about him, we could tell from how he looked and from the kinds of things he ate, that he lived what he believed. When Mindi began workouts with Brian, she had no doubt about it!  He was merciless! Over the years, Brian is one of many people who has demonstrated to me the power of a good example.

A good example is important to me.  I don’t want to hire a personal trainer who weighs 350 pounds and eats monster cheeseburgers for breakfast!  I want someone who has credibility, who’s done what it is that I’m wanting to do.

Why is there power in a good example?  At least 3 reasons…

  • A good example shows us what is possible
  • A good example provides motivation
  • A good example encourages us

The power of a good example… in the Christian life?

the power of a good example

photo: wikimediacommons.com

For some reason when we move into the realm of spiritual things, this whole issue gets a bit fuzzy.  Christians are uncomfortable at the thought of actually having to be an example for somebody else.  Maybe they’re controlled more by a sense of failure and need than they are by the grace given to them in Christ.

But you will get an even stronger reaction from Christians if a fellow Christian actually DOES put themselves forward as an example.

Whoa!!!  Did he just SAY THAT?  Who does he think he is, Jesus?  Where does he get off thinking he’s so perfect?”  Etc., etc. etc.

People who say such things don’t realize that the scriptures not only speak about the power of a good example, but encourage Christians to be such examples.  One of the better known instances is Paul’s instruction to the Corinthians that they follow his example as he follows Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1).  But there’s a TON more…

  • IMITATION – 1 Corinthians 4:16; 1 Thessalonians 1:6; 1 Thessalonians 2:14; 2 Thessalonians 3:7; 2 Thessalonians 3:9; Hebrews 6:12; Hebrews 13:7
  • EXAMPLE – Philippians 3:17; 1 Thessalonians 1:7;  2 Thessalonians 3:9; 1 Timothy 1:16; 1 Timothy 4:12

Does it bother you to hear a fellow Christian hold themselves up as an example? Do you feel like they are being arrogant, proud, or boastful? If so, why weren’t the biblical writers being boastful in the passages cited above? I want to suggest to you, that if you’re bothered by those things, you’ve got a wrong understanding of what it means to be humble.

Humility is not a “poor-me-I’ve-got-nothing-to-offer-because-I’m-such-a-sinner” attitude.  Humility is seeing yourself rightly, as God does.  Practically, that means:

  • If He’s given you grace, you are not proud to say so.
  • If He has given you a particular set of gifts, you are not boasting to openly speak of them.
  • If He has provided you with wisdom, you are not being arrogant to confidently apply that wisdom to the situations you (or others) face.

I said all that to say this…

The LORD has graciously given my wife and I a good deal of insight into what it takes to make Christ the center of our home… and we can help you make Christ the center of your home.  The fruit of our home shows it to be true. That’s not bragging… it’s the humble testimony of what GOD has done in our lives and the repeated testimony of many other people. One of those people, a member of the church where we serve, gave that kind of testimony about us at a recent celebration our church had of its 25th anniversary.  

Eric… about the Green family. 
He served on the committee that was leading the church during the difficult 3 year period between Pastors.  In the audio to the right, you can hear his recollection of the process, and his experience of our family (used with his permission… thanks Eric!).

Like I said at the beginning… if someone is going to help you g0 someplace you’ve never gone, they need to have some credibility. We do.  Not because we are “all that,” but because the LORD is, and has done a very gracious and merciful work in our lives.

That is why you should listen to me.

the power of a good example 

 

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Categories : Marriage, Parenting
Tags : Christ-centered home, Christian example, family life, follow my example, marriage, parenting, power of a good example
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