Devotional: Home Is Always First

When God calls us, His plan and purpose is for us to pass it on. Discipleship is about passing on our faith. And when it comes to passing on our faith, serving and worship of Jesus, the home is always first. In 1 Samuel 8:1-6, we see that although Samuel was called by God and served God, his sons did not follow in his steps. How is it possible that such a great man of God could have sons that don’t serve the Lord? It has to do with putting things in their proper order. The call of God flows from our heart into our home and then into our ministry as priests of God in our world. Our home should be a tabernacle, a place of peace, and a center for hospitality. We don’t have to be perfect. The only perfect parent is our heavenly Father. We just have to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, and strength. The proper order of our call will flow from our love of God and we will pass it on beginning in our home, and then into the world.

 Questions For Meditation

1. It’s hard to believe that Godly people like Samuel – and church leaders – can have irreverent children, or worse, do irreverent and hurtful things. But God isn’t interested in making anyone look perfect. Instead, He shows his faithfulness while He is growing us. Have you looked to your parents, the church or church leaders instead of looking to God? More to what they do instead of what Christ has done on the cross? Where are you supposed to direct all your attention, adoration, and worship?
2. The proper order of God’s call is the heart, the home, and the ministry (i.e. everywhere else we are called to serve). Reflect: What is the order in your call now? Has your character been changed by turning your heart’s affection towards God? Has the fruit of your character been lavished in your home first, and your gifts for ministry second? How can you put things back – and keep them – in their proper order?
3. Our homes should be little tabernacles where we live out our worship. Worship is about showing our love for God. What would those close to you say: Do you display your love for God by worshipping Him in your home, or are other things a priority? Do you call others to worship in your home, or is worship something you only do collectively on Sundays? When is a good time to worship in the home? What time will you designate and devote to worshipping in your home?
4. Our homes are to be places of peace and harmony. Christ is the Prince of Peace. Have you been a vessel for peace in your home, or division and war? Where can you be filled with the Spirit of peace? How can you invite peace in your home? What are some practices for cultivating peace in your home?
5. Our homes should be places of hospitality where we demonstrate the love of God. What does Leviticus 19:33-34 say about showing hospitality? What, exactly, are the practices that passage commands us to do? Have you practiced that in your home? What does Matthew 25:35 say about showing hospitality? When we show hospitality, who ultimately are we doing it for? How will you show hospitality this week?
6. Discipleship is about passing it on. But it begins in the home. Think about your role in your home: what can you do to pass on faith, serving, and worship of God as a parent? What can you do as a husband or wife? What can you do as a daughter or son? What can you do as a brother or sister? What can you do as an uncle or aunt, nephew or niece, grandfather or grandmother? 
7. We don’t have to be perfect. We only need to love God, our heavenly father, and display our love for Him in our home. Reflect on the perfect love of your perfect heavenly Father, despite your failures and faults. Does the thought of His great love for you make you want to thank Him, praise Him, honor Him, and worship Him? Does that make you want to display your love for Him in the presence of your spouse, children, and your entire household? Will you worship Him in your home because of His great love for you?