Home is a Sacred Place

Recently I was with a Jewish couple that had converted from Judaism to Christianity.  One difficulty in the transition was the home life.  Judaism had provided for them a template for a Jewish home (e.g., keeping the Sabbath, Passover, feasts, etc.), whereas Christianity gave them little help on what a Christian home should look like.  (Other than they were told to be sure and get their children into Sunday school and youth group.)  As Voddie Baucham points out, Christianity’s approach to ministry communicates to parents: “leave the spiritual training of your children to the professionals.” [1]

God gave the Israelite parent the responsibility for the spiritual training of their child.  To be an Israelite meant to train children for a lifetime - not only were they expected to teach their own children but also their grandchildren.  “…teach them to your children and to their children after them.” (Deuteronomy 4:9-10)

Since God is familial (Father-Son-Holy Spirit) the best environment for a child to learn and experience the nature of God is in a family.  Are there benefits for a child in attending Sunday school, children’s ministry, vacation bible school, and youth group? Yes.  And, also, the best context for her to experience sacrificial love, belonging, grace, and a servant’s heart is in a home.  Here, day after day, year after year, a child learns what it means to belong in a family just as the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are family and invite us in to be partakers and emulators of their joyful union.

[1] Voddie Baucham  http://media.sermonindex.net/15/SID15607.mp3