02/21/2026
What shape is your home in? I am not talking about the condition of the physical house you live in, but rather the spiritual roof you and your family live under. Are you providing a sound structure of faith that will save, shelter, and protect you and your family for generations to come? As parents we must first look after our own faith and salvation, but then it is our responsibility to provide an example and instruction in faith to our children. So, considering this again, what shape is your spiritual house in today?
“And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."”
Joshua 24:15 ESV
So many households have no spiritual direction, much less a spiritual leader. Sadly, this is the state of spirituality in the United States, and the world. When census forms are filled in and the question of faith is reached, people pause to think, “what box should I check?” Is there a clear cut answer ready and waiting on the tip of your tongue? Do you immediately place a bold checkmark beside the Word Christian, or do you have to think about it?
For many households there is no clear answer that reflects the active, healthy, and robust nature of that family’s faith. In fact, many, many, of those who fill out forms write Christian after a long pause in which they look back and try to determine what (if anything) they truly are.... “Well, grandpa was a Quaker, and mom said she was Baptist... now what did Dad say he was?” And then finally they reach the point where they realize that they actually don’t have a practiced belief but that they think they believe in God, and they have heard of Jesus, so they check Christian rather than the truth, which is “none of the above”.
Is this the sad state of faith which is found in your home? Do you depend on history, or family stories, to determine your religion? At some point in the past was your family’s faith in God determined to be made by birthright, and not by personal commitment and choice? I hope not, but if that is true then it is time to come to the realization that if you are dependent on your parents or grandparents’ belief and faith for your own personal salvation then you have nothing. To truthfully fill in the religion box we must actually have one. In the case of Christians that is an active and committed belief in Jesus Christ as our savior, and the God of Abraham as our one true God.
“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”
Philippians 2:12-13 ESV
So, if you have been convicted by this thought, and you look at your children and realize that although you have provided for them physically, you have fed them nothing spiritually, then it is time to do something about it. It is time to search yourself... to actually have a relationship with Jesus Christ, and then to take the spiritual reins of your household. For this to happen it requires that you do more than determine the name of the lost religion or belief of your ancient family, you must believe in Jesus, engage in faith, and provide for the salvation of yourself, your spouse, and your children. If you are checking the box next to Christian because at some point a parental ancestor believed and passed on the baton of his faith to his family then ask yourself if you truly believe as he did. But if at some point that baton has been dropped, and the race was abandoned… well, seek it out and pick it up again.
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”
Proverbs 22:6 ESV
The Bible tells us that it is the parent’s obligation to teach their children of faith. If your family has a past legacy of Christianity then at some point that was being done, but somewhere along the way, out of inattention, loss of belief, worldly allure, or some other reason, that faith was lost, and if this sounds like you then it is time to find it again. Look around you today. Are children being shot and killed in your city, your neighborhood... on your street? Are you afraid that the morality of your kids is being taught by a gang or someone other than yourself? Is there no hope in your life, and no direction you can give them? Then it is time to search for Jesus and make Him the Lord of YOUR life so that you can teach your children what your forefathers once knew... God is good, and the blood of Jesus Christ has provided for our forgiveness of sin, and indeed, our salvation. A life of faith is wholesome, full of peace, joy, and hope in the grace of God.
“And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.”
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 KJV
Once we have come to this realization for ourselves we are tasked with the more difficult job of leading our family, and this involves setting an example, teaching, and discipline. You were probably right there with me until I said the word discipline. This has almost become a dirty word in modern society today. We are alright as long as it is self-discipline, but resist all other forms with vengeance. If you want to see the fallacy of this reasoning, just look outside at the kids roaming the streets, or in our homes where children are mesmerized by video games or the internet and are held captive by it almost every waking hour. Look at the anger in business meetings, or the inability to have discourse in our capitals. There was no obedience or discipline provided that taught the tenets of faith, morality, harmony, or caring for one another.... but friends there is a hunger for it! People and children want everyone else to love them, but they must be taught how to love others, and this requires obedience and discipline. How much do you love your children; is it enough to discipline them?
“Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.”
Proverbs 13:24 ESV
I don’t understand how many Christian families today have come to the conclusion that discipline is wrong. Self-control is learned, and an adherence to the teachings of our faith are as well. When Jesus said love thy neighbor, that was met immediately with resistance. He was asked to define neighbor... who is my neighbor. When we resist instruction then discipline is necessary. The Bible is full of it, and if we are honest with ourselves... so is the world. Two boys standing face to face on the playground... one of them is going to learn a lesson the other is intent on teaching him one. If you don’t believe that then just ask them or listen to the dialogue. Discipline is a fact of life, and it can be applied lovingly in a Christian setting at home, or violently on the streets of our cities.
“For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”
Hebrews 12:11 ESV
The bible tells us that discipline is a teaching tool. It should be applied with love and bound by love too. It is not hateful or angry, but rendered out of concern, love, and in regret or sorrow. What good parent wants to hurt their child in any way? None. But, not punishing at all is not the answer… there are punishments that instruct... loss of privileges, restrictions, and yes, on occasion, a swift swat on the rear end.
So we have covered a lot of ground in these few paragraphs... we have spoken of our need for a personal faith in Jesus Christ, we have talked about our obligation as believers to pass our faith to our household, we have considered what happens when there is a spiritual void in our kids, what role that the world will take in filling it, and we have covered the subjects of instruction and discipline. Now it is time to decide how we will check the box next to religion on our own census form... are we firm in who we are and what we believe, or do we need to begin the process of reacquainting ourselves with Jesus Christ? What will be the fate of our family? Will the next generation be able to check the box of faith boldly as believers... or at least say to themselves... “well mom and dad taught me about Jesus.” Are you prepared to lead your household?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for drawing me to Jesus. Thank you for providing me an example of faith in Him, your Son. Thank you for teaching me and yes disciplining me when I have been disobedient. Holy Father, help me to instruct my family regarding your Word, worshipping you, and in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Help me Merciful Father to teach my children the gospel of Jesus which will lead them to salvation and away from the temptations of the world that would devour them, and bring them much sadness and grief. Your mercy abounds Holy Father, and your grace pours over us like a warm oil... call each of us to a closer walk with you. Let your Holy Spirit comfort us, instruct us, and lead us to the confession that you are the one true God, and that your Son Jesus Christ is our Savior, and Redeemer. Then Father, out of my own faith and belief, allow me to bring my family to you; not in the past faith of my forefathers, but the living faith I have found in you. My faith in Jesus and you is just as alive today as it was to the apostles Peter, Paul, and before them the Old Testament men of God like Abraham and Moses. The faith my forefathers held much treasure as it was spoken to their children. Give my words the same power and strength in my children’s ears, so that they might take root in their hearts. Allow me to discipline them with love when that is necessary Lord, and not to depend on the world to disciple them instead. The world is a wicked and cruel place Father, but I pray that you hold my family close and protect them. Allow me to say just as Joshua said, “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” For all of this I will praise you, and for the salvation of my family I will give you the honor and glory forevermore.
“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world [Satan] hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.”
2 Corinthians 4:3-5 KJV
Amen, Amen, Amen!
Rich Forbes