The Christian Family is a Tiny Church

You've heard of tiny houses but have you heard of a tiny church.  Your family is a tiny church.   Parents are the pastors and children and other living there are the congregation.  We are the church of God and not just when we are 'in the building'. Our families are the flock.


The church provides many things for the congregation such as instruction, prayer, encouragement, advice, worship, comfort, and admonishment. Parents should do the same. 

Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 1 Peter 5:2-3

There is a lot of information out there about how to be a parent and much of it is very good, but it doesn't make us think of ourselves as shepherds over the flock of Christ.  We talk about reaching outside of our homes to share the good news, comfort and provide prayer and encouragement, but inside our own families, we just "wing it".   And yet, who is the most important to you?

In thinking about church, we know that there are bible study, classes, music programs, camping, and lots of eating.  We probably do most of these in our homes, but they are not always focused on Christ. If we were to model our homes after the church we would talk to our families about God, sing Christian songs, worship and pray and thank God for all of our blessings.  And when we go camping or on other adventures, Christ would always be a part of the activity. As Christian parents, I know that you already encourage, give advice, comfort and admonish but is Christ the center?

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

We want our families to serve God, have joy, and live long and productive lives. If we thought of ourselves as Pastors of a tiny church in everything we do, I am sure we would do some things differently. 

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4

 

This topic does not need a lot of explanation.  As parents we need to think of ourselves as pastors of our home and consider all of our actions with that in mind.  If we can do that most of the time, our mini congregations will grow in knowledge and love of the Lord which has always been our hope and prayer. Your family is your church of God.

Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. Acts 20:28

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is WRONG with people?

Image
  What is WRONG with people? I find myself saying this more often than I would like.    But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. (2 Timothy 3:1-5 ESV) I think the world has gone crazy.   But it has gone evil. Whatever happened to the golden rule?   Why do people think it is ok to stab someone over a seat at a track meet, to key a car because they don’t like the owner of the company, or shoot a businessman on the street because his company hurt you?   This is what the world has become.   Paul writes it clearly to Timothy.   Many p...
Read more

Importunity- Huh? Luke 11

Image
There is a story that Jesus tells in Luke Chapter 11, vs. 5-13. Many of us overlook all but the 9th verse. We want to skip right where it says "Ask, and it shall be given you, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened." That sounds pretty good.  However, the verses before and after verse 9 are significant to the meaning behind the story.  In the Bible, context is very important.  We need to understand what is being said, who it is being said to, why and by whom. In this case, Jesus had been off praying by himself and the disciples came to him asking to be taught how to pray. Jesus gives them a beautiful, respectful way to pray which becomes what we call the Lord's Prayer. He teaches them to pray for God's kingdom, His will to be done, our daily needs, and forgiveness.  All of these come from the Holy Spirit. Then He goes on with this story. [ 5]  And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto h...
Read more

What is stopping us?

Image
What stops us from doing what we know God has called us to do? I returned from my travels more than a week ago and I haven't written a word since I got home.  I haven't added to my book.  I haven't blogged.  I haven't even sent texts or messages to the Women's Fellowship group. Why?  The first few days, I told myself I was resting and didn't need to do anything for a while (except laundry). The next few days, I was busy - yes - that's it.  After that, I forgot about writing and just went about the duties of life.   During my trip I started this blog and started a new book because I knew that God wanted me to continue my work for Him, but for some reason, when I am home, it is difficult to follow through.  Do you have that problem too? Has God called you to do something, given you a passion for His work, or led you to take on something at church? Have you answered the call? I have been reading in Luke lately and there are many times that Jesus talk...
Read more