A Functional Home

By

Shelby G. Floyd

 

 

Titus 2:1-6

1 You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine. 2 Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.

3 Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4 Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

6 Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled.

NIV

 

 

In the office of a family counselor I read these words on a plaque: “Let’s put the word “fun” back in the word dysfunctional!” In functional homes each member of the family will have joyful fun in everything that is morally and religiously right.

 

A joyful congregation is made up joyful people who have joyful homes. Most people want to have a happy home. To have a happy home is no accident. It involves work, planning and cooperation. Above all else, a happy home is a home that respects and abides by God’s instructions for each member of the fam­ily.

 

A happy home has a father that loves his wife as he loves himself (Ephesians 5:25, 28). He provides for the material well-being of the family (1 Timothy 5:8), he also provides the spiritual training for the children (Ephesians 6:4, Proverbs 22:6). This involves correction and discipline (Proverbs 29:15, 17). His goal should be to govern his home well (1 Timothy 3:4-5).

 

In a happy home the wife—mother also has responsi­bilities. She is to be a virtuous and faithful wife (Proverbs 12:4; 31:10-30). She is to avoid a brawling and quarrel­some spirit (Proverbs 21:9). As she matures, she is to teach and train the younger women to love their husbands and children (Titus 2:3-5; 1 Timothy 5:14).

 

It is also incumbent upon the children to recognize and carry out their God given responsibilities in order for the home to be all that it should be. From the beginning chil­dren have been commanded by God to respect and obey their parents (Matthew 15:4; Exodus 20:12). In the ideal home a wise son or daughter will hear and heed the instruction of the father and mother (Proverbs 1:8; 3:1, 3). Paul states that this was the first command of God with a promise attached to it—long life upon the earth (Ephesians 6:1-3). Copyright © 2011 Shelby G. Floyd, All Rights Reserved