Religion in the Home

Sensing the Gaze of God

How well acquainted is God with each individual’s life?

“You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord.” Psalm 139:2-4.

What is the beginning of wisdom?

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.” Psalm 111:10. 

Instructing Children

How are parents instructed to bring up their children?

“Fathers do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4.

How faithfully should parents teach their children the Word of God?

“These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Deuteronomy 6:6,7.

What is the value of proper early instruction?

“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”

Proverbs 22:6. 

Note – No man said that he began the service of God too young. No parent ever regarded bringing up his children to love, fear, honor, and obey God.

How early were the Scriptures taught to Timothy?

“And from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 3:15.

Note – Timothy’s father was a Greek, and his mother a Jewess. From a child he had been taught the Scriptures. The faith of his mother and grandmother in the Word of God had early been implanted in him through their faithful instruction. (2 Timothy 1:5.) The piety that he saw in his home life had a molding influence upon his own life. This, with his knowledge of the Scriptures, qualified him to bear the responsibilities and to render faithful service later in the cause of Christ. His home instructors had co-operated with God in preparing him for a life of usefulness. Thus it should be in every home.  

Why did God confide in Abraham and commit sacred trusts to him?

“For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.” Genesis 18:19.  

The Altar of Prayer

Wherever Abraham went, what was his practice?

“From there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built an alter to the Lord and called upon the name of the Lord.” Genesis 12:8. (See also Genesis 13:4; 21:33.)

What instruction suggests the giving of thanks for daily food?

“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:18.  

Note – As a rule, children will reflect the life and principles manifested in their parents. The reason so many children are irreverent, irreligious, and disobedient today is that their parents are so. Like parent like child. If parents would see a different state of things, they must themselves reform. They must bring God into their homes, and make His Word their counselor and guide. They must teach their children the fear of God, and that His Word is the voice of God addressed to them, and that it is to be implicitly obeyed. “In too may homes prayer is neglected. If there ever was a time when every household should be a house of prayer, it is now. Fathers and mothers should often lift up their hearts to God in humble supplication for themselves and their children. Let the father, as priest of the household, lay upon the alter of God the morning and evening sacrifice, while the wife and the children unite in prayer and praise. In such a household Jesus will love to tarry.”

E.G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 144.  

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