What makes a godly home?
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.
