Question 1

How can I establish my home in the way God wants it?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 127:1Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good.Proverbs 24:3-4A house is built by wisdom and becomes strong through good sense. Through knowledge its rooms are filled with all sorts of precious riches and valuables.Through God’s Word, we find God’s wisdom and God’s ways for our homes and for our lives.

Question 2

How can I experience God’s blessing on my home?

Accepted Answer

Proverbs 3:33The Lord curses the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the upright.Ezekiel 44:30The first of the ripe fruits and all the gifts brought to the Lord will go to the priests. The first batch of dough must also be given to the priests so the Lord will bless your homes.1 Timothy 5:4If she has children or grandchildren, their first responsibility is to show godliness at home and repay their parents by taking care of them. This is something that pleases God.When we invite the Lord into our homes with love, kindness, and generosity, he pours out his blessings on our homes.Psalm 127:1-2Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good. It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.God desires to play an active role in our homes. He offers to be not only the architect of our homes but also the builder.Proverbs 3:33The Lord curses the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the upright.Proverbs 12:7The wicked die and disappear, but the family of the godly stands firm.Proverbs 14:11The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the godly will flourish.Proverbs 15:6There is treasure in the house of the godly, but the earnings of the wicked bring trouble.God’s blessings are promised for those who strive to be righteous.Ezekiel 44:30The first of the ripe fruits and all the gifts brought to the Lord will go to the priests. The first batch of dough must also be given to the priests so the Lord will bless your homes.Matthew 25:40“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’”1 Timothy 5:4, 8If she has children or grandchildren, their first responsibility is to show godliness at home and repay their parents by taking care of them. This is something that pleases God. . . . But those who won’t care for their relatives, especially those in their own household, have denied the true faith. Such people are worse than unbelievers.Hebrews 13:2Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!God blesses our stewardship as we give him our first and best. One way we can give back to God through our homes is by caring for those in need—both loved ones and strangers. Providing kindness, hospitality, and provision for others is offering them to God himself.Genesis 30:27-30“Please listen to me,” Laban replied. “I have become wealthy, for the Lord has blessed me because of you. Tell me how much I owe you. Whatever it is, I’ll pay it.” Jacob replied, “You know how hard I’ve worked for you, and how your flocks and herds have grown under my care. You had little indeed before I came, but your wealth has increased enormously. The Lord has blessed you through everything I’ve done. But now, what about me? When can I start providing for my own family?”Genesis 39:4-5This pleased Potiphar, so he soon made Joseph his personal attendant. He put him in charge of his entire household and everything he owned. From the day Joseph was put in charge of his master’s household and property, the Lord began to bless Potiphar’s household for Joseph’s sake. All his household affairs ran smoothly, and his crops and livestock flourished.2 Samuel 6:12Then King David was told, “The Lord has blessed Obed-edom’s household and everything he has because of the Ark of God.” So David went there and brought the Ark of God from the house of Obed-edom to the City of David with a great celebration.1 Chronicles 13:14The Ark of God remained there in Obed-edom’s house for three months, and the Lord blessed the household of Obed-edom and everything he owned.God’s blessing comes to a home where he is present. This means putting nothing ahead of him, internalizing and living out his values, and submitting to his leadership.

Question 3

What makes a godly home?

Accepted Answer

Ephesians 5:28Husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself.Colossians 3:14Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.Colossians 3:19Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly.Love is the foundation of a godly home.Luke 15:20, 23“So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. . . . ‘And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast.’”Colossians 3:13Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.It helps our homes reflect God’s character when family members forgive one another.Proverbs 15:20Sensible children bring joy to their father; foolish children despise their mother.Proverbs 23:24The father of godly children has cause for joy. What a pleasure to have children who are wise.Proverbs 27:11Be wise, my child, and make my heart glad. Then I will be able to answer my critics.Proverbs 29:3The man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but if he hangs around with prostitutes, his wealth is wasted.Living according to God’s wisdom brings joy to a home.Deuteronomy 5:16“Honor your father and mother, as the Lord your God commanded you. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you.”Ephesians 6:2“Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise.1 Peter 3:7You husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.When we treat each other in our homes with honor and respect, we are displaying an important dimension of God’s character.Ecclesiastes 9:9Live happily with the woman you love through all the meaningless days of life that God has given you under the sun. The wife God gives you is your reward for all your earthly toil.Mark 10:7-8“‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’”A godly home is characterized by the loving unity between husband and wife. This means loving and enjoying our spouse, caring for them, and depending on them—this is s gift of marriage that God intends for us.Ephesians 5:22-24For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything.Ephesians 5:25-26For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word.Ephesians 6:1Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do.Submission to God’s authority in the home is an act of godliness. Imitating God’s example of authority—sacrificial, servant leadership—is also essential.Proverbs 13:24Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children. Those who love their children care enough to discipline them.Proverbs 19:18Discipline your children while there is hope. Otherwise you will ruin their lives.Proverbs 22:15A youngster’s heart is filled with foolishness, but physical discipline will drive it far away.Proverbs 23:13Don’t fail to discipline your children. The rod of punishment won’t kill them.Ephesians 6:4Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.Colossians 3:21Fathers, do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged.Loving discipline builds godly character in our children and characterizes godly homes.Deuteronomy 4:9“But watch out! Be careful never to forget what you yourself have seen. Do not let these memories escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren.”Deuteronomy 6:4-9, 20-21“Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” . . .“In the future your children will ask you, ‘What is the meaning of these laws, decrees, and regulations that the Lord our God has commanded us to obey?’ “Then you must tell them, ‘We were Pharaoh’s slaves in Egypt, but the Lord brought us out of Egypt with his strong hand.”Proverbs 22:6Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.Isaiah 38:19Only the living can praise you as I do today. Each generation tells of your faithfulness to the next.In godly homes, we are committed to living and teaching about God and his ways.

Question 4

What are some of my responsibilities in my home?

Accepted Answer

Deuteronomy 11:19-20“Teach them [God’s instructions] to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”Psalm 101:2I will be careful to live a blameless life—when will you come to help me? I will lead a life of integrity in my own home.Proverbs 31:27She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness.We should model godly values, including integrity, faithfulness in sharing God’s Word and God’s ways, purity in our lives, and abundance in loving service.

Question 5

In what ways can I establish a godly home despite my childhood background?

Accepted Answer

Joshua 24:15“Choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”Proverbs 14:1A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.Proverbs 31:27She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness.Regardless of our childhood backgrounds, establishing a godly home requires effort and commitment.Psalm 127:1Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good.Proverbs 24:3-4A house is built by wisdom and becomes strong through good sense. Through knowledge its rooms are filled with all sorts of precious riches and valuables.Godly homes are built on God’s wisdom and obedience to his Word. We can only know the secrets of a godly home by regularly reading his instructions in the Bible.Deuteronomy 11:19-20“Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates”2 Timothy 3:14-15You must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.We build godly homes by sharing God’s Word with our children.Judges 13:8Then Manoah prayed to the Lord, saying, “Lord, please let the man of God come back to us again and give us more instructions about this son who is to be born.”James 5:16Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.We build godly homes through prayer about the concerns of our families.Joshua 8:35Every word of every command that Moses had ever given was read to the entire assembly of Israel, including the women and children and the foreigners who lived among them.2 Chronicles 20:13As all the men of Judah stood before the Lord with their little ones, wives, and children.Ezra 8:21There by the Ahava Canal, I gave orders for all of us to fast and humble ourselves before our God. We prayed that he would give us a safe journey and protect us, our children, and our goods as we traveled.Nehemiah 12:43Many sacrifices were offered on that joyous day, for God had given the people cause for great joy. The women and children also participated in the celebration, and the joy of the people of Jerusalem could be heard far away.We build godly homes as we worship together as families.1 Corinthians 7:14The believing wife brings holiness to her marriage, and the believing husband brings holiness to his marriage. Otherwise, your children would not be holy, but now they are holy.We build godly homes by modeling godly living and thus influence our children to do the same.1 Kings 9:4“As for you, . . . follow me with integrity and godliness, as David your father did, obeying all my commands, decrees, and regulations.”2 Chronicles 17:3The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the example of his father’s early years and did not worship the images of Baal.2 Chronicles 20:32Jehoshaphat was a good king, following the ways of his father, Asa. He did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight.2 Chronicles 26:4He did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight, just as his father, Amaziah, had done.2 Chronicles 27:2Jotham did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight. He did everything his father, Uzziah, had done, except that Jotham did not sin by entering the Temple of the Lord. But the people continued in their corrupt ways.Psalm 101:2I will be careful to live a blameless life—when will you come to help me? I will lead a life of integrity in my own home.2 Timothy 1:5I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you.We build godly homes by making God-honoring choices and by leading lives of integrity. Often, the next generation follows the examples we have set.

Question 6

What can I do to make my home a place of hospitality?

Accepted Answer

Genesis 29:13-14As soon as Laban heard that his nephew Jacob had arrived, he ran out to meet him. He embraced and kissed him and brought him home. When Jacob had told him his story, Laban exclaimed, “You really are my own flesh and blood!”2 Kings 4:8-10One day Elisha went to the town of Shunem. A wealthy woman lived there, and she urged him to come to her home for a meal. After that, whenever he passed that way, he would stop there for something to eat. She said to her husband, “I am sure this man who stops in from time to time is a holy man of God. Let’s build a small room for him on the roof and furnish it with a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp. Then he will have a place to stay whenever he comes by.”Philemon 1:22One more thing—please prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that God will answer your prayers and let me return to you soon.We can be hospitable by warmly welcoming others into our homes.Judges 19:18-21“We have been in Bethlehem in Judah,” the man replied. “We are on our way to a remote area in the hill country of Ephraim, which is my home. I traveled to Bethlehem, and now I’m returning home. But no one has taken us in for the night, even though we have everything we need. We have straw and feed for our donkeys and plenty of bread and wine for ourselves.” “You are welcome to stay with me,” the old man said. “I will give you anything you might need. But whatever you do, don’t spend the night in the square.” So he took them home with him and fed the donkeys. After they washed their feet, they ate and drank together.We can be hospitable by being sensitive to the needs of our guests.Matthew 25:40“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’”Hebrews 13:2Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!We can extend our hospitality to whomever God sends our way. When we do, we love and honor God himself.

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