Week 2: Building the House
Understanding God’s Design for the Family
Joshua 24:15 But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”
I. GOD DESIGNED THE FAMILY
Genesis 2:18 “Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.’”
Genesis 2:24 “This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.”
Genesis 1:28 “Be fruitful and multiply.”
II. THE FOUNDATION OF THE HOUSE IS GOD
Psalm 127:1 says: “Unless the Lord builds the house, the work of the builders is wasted.”
III. GOD DESIGNED MARRIAGE AS A COVENANT
One of the most important parts of God's design for the family is marriage. Marriage isn't merely a contract.
Ephesians 5:21-25 “21 And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. 22 For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23 For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. 24 As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything. 25 For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her
Ephesians 5:33 “So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.”
God's design is not competition between husband and wife.
It's partnership.
It's covenant.
It's two people saying: “We're going to build this house together, and we're going to put God at the center.”
IV. GOD DESIGNED PARENTS TO BE THE PRIMARY SPIRITUAL INFLUENCE
Deuteronomy 6:6–7 says: “And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children.”
“Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up."
V. GOD DESIGNED THE FAMILY TO SERVE TOGETHER
Go back to Joshua 24:15.
Joshua doesn't simply say: “I will serve the Lord.”
He says: “As for me and my Family, we will serve the Lord.”
HERE ARE SOME PRACTICAL APPLICATION: HOW DO WE BUILD GOD'S HOUSE?
1. PRAY TOGETHER
2. WORSHIP TOGETHER
3. EAT TOGETHER
4. SERVE TOGETHER
5. KEEP JESUS AT THE CENTER
I. GOD DESIGNED THE FAMILY
Genesis 2:18 “Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.’”
Genesis 2:24 “This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.”
Genesis 1:28 “Be fruitful and multiply.”
II. THE FOUNDATION OF THE HOUSE IS GOD
Psalm 127:1 says: “Unless the Lord builds the house, the work of the builders is wasted.”
III. GOD DESIGNED MARRIAGE AS A COVENANT
One of the most important parts of God's design for the family is marriage. Marriage isn't merely a contract.
Ephesians 5:21-25 “21 And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. 22 For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23 For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. 24 As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything. 25 For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her
Ephesians 5:33 “So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.”
God's design is not competition between husband and wife.
It's partnership.
It's covenant.
It's two people saying: “We're going to build this house together, and we're going to put God at the center.”
IV. GOD DESIGNED PARENTS TO BE THE PRIMARY SPIRITUAL INFLUENCE
Deuteronomy 6:6–7 says: “And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children.”
“Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up."
V. GOD DESIGNED THE FAMILY TO SERVE TOGETHER
Go back to Joshua 24:15.
Joshua doesn't simply say: “I will serve the Lord.”
He says: “As for me and my Family, we will serve the Lord.”
HERE ARE SOME PRACTICAL APPLICATION: HOW DO WE BUILD GOD'S HOUSE?
1. PRAY TOGETHER
2. WORSHIP TOGETHER
3. EAT TOGETHER
4. SERVE TOGETHER
5. KEEP JESUS AT THE CENTER