The Ideal Home

“Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place. For now I have chosen and consecrated this house that my name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will be there for all time.” – 2 Chronicles 7:15-16.

Over the years I have talked to numerous couples that were uber excited over buying their first house. New beginnings and a new adventure always seems to generate excitement. But whether you recently bought a house, or have lived in the same house for 50 years, I hope that God—and His purposes for our lives—is truly at the center of every home.

God should be at the center because He designed the structure of the home. Construction workers will transform piles of materials into a house by following the architects plans. But Hebrews 3:4 reminds us of who the builder really is: “For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything.”

Most people building a house rely on the expert’s knowledge and expertise in the construction process. It just makes sense since most of us are not experts in home construction. In spiritual matters God is the expert. God is the builder of all things and that includes the home and the relationships within the home. It will take spiritual wisdom and understanding to transform a house into a Christ-centered home. And that knowledge can only come from God, who is the architect of the home and family. Colossians 1:9 says, “For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,”

God’s design for the home also involves the relationships within the home. That means we are asked to live in unity and in submission to each other and to God. “If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” (Mark 3:25)

We have a choice once we own a home: we can either take good care of it or neglect it. It can stand the test of time or it can become run down and dilapidated. The spiritual choice is the same. We can chose whether we will use our standards or God’s standards. Choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: “… But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)

Discussion Questions:

1. Have you ever gone back to visit a house in which you lived as a child?  How did that go?
2. How did you feel when you purchased your first home?
3. What are your thoughts on the idea that God created the structure of the home? What are our obligations to Him as designer of all things?
4. Does seeking God’s kingdom first before seeking the things of this world apply to the home?
5. What steps can we take this week to make God center of the home?