Over the past few weeks, we’ve talked about how God has intended our faith to benefit more than just us. The expression of our faith should extend to those in our circles of influence, but sometimes, it’s easier to play the “Christian part” when we are at work, at church, and with our friends. But how does your faith affect those who are in your own home? Do they see your faith being lived out when you’re in your own house or do they see one person at church and another person at home? In this week’s teaching, we look at what the Bible says our responsibility is to those in our home, how our faith should be benefitting them, and what steps we can take if it’s not.

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MESSAGE NOTES

Scoreboard: We have been in a series looking at the different behaviors of a growing
Christ followers – the markers of someone growing in their faith. If I am truly growing closer to Christ, I am going to be more intentional in helping others find faith. Relational with other Christ followers. Generous with what God has given me. Involved in our church family. Fifth Marker: Devoted – Setting a Godly example at home.Card to Self-Evaluate: Am I thriving? Am I growing? Do I need significant improvement?
God calls his followers to reflect him in our daily lives. And how passionate we are at doing this determines how authentic our faith is. How you live out your faith outside of Sundays determines how true your faith is. That is the line in the sand.

 Colossians 3:12-16

12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves (holy – set apart), you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

  • How are you described?

13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who
offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.

Love is the glue that holds it all together. It’s the foundation. A holy life translates to love

15And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. 16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives.

Following Christ isn’t a Sunday activity. It’s a full-time calling. We show our devotion to Christ in how we love the people that we spend the most time with.
Sign of a Growing Christ Follower: I pursue healthy relationships with my family.

If we are truly devoted in our faith, we should seek to have healthy relationships with our family members. Our faith should be lived out with the people in our family. But a lot of times, we get home and check out.
If love is truly deciding our actions, there is no ‘off the clock.’
Colossians 3:17-21

17And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. 18Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting for those who belong to the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly. 20Children, always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged.

Children, love your parents as Christ loves you. Parents, love your children as Christ…
Husbands, love your wives as Christ loves you. Wives, love your husband as Christ…
By the way, there are no disclaimers. It doesn’t say…love them as long as they love you back. Or love them as long as they aren’t a jerk. Or as long as they don’t annoy you! It says represent Christ at all times. Even if you have a family member that disowned you because of your faith. Or an aunt that has hurt you deeply & never asked for forgiveness. It doesn’t mean you have to forget everything they did. It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t guard your heart against their damaging words or behavior. It means you are going to continue to love them and not let their past hurt weigh you down. Some of You: Still love them; Still forgive them; Guard your heart; Protect your family

Deuteronomy 6:5-7
5And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. 6And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. 7Repeat 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.
Sign of a Growing Christ Follower: I share my faith with my family.
With my kids. With the next generation.
Teens, you are responsible for your own faith. You don’t need to wait for the people
around you to follow Jesus. And you need to become the example of what it means to follow Jesus. Don’t wait on someone else to lead you in your faith.

If you found Jesus in spite of your family’s beliefs, you beat the
odds. And that’s why it’s so important that you play a role in pouring into the next generation. Whether you are a parent or not, if you are a Christ follower you are responsible for pointing the next generation to Jesus. Every Christ follower. If you’re a college student who doesn’t have kids yet, look for opportunities to help encourage someone else’s kids.
If you’re single or young couple pre-kids, enjoy your freedom! And serve in our kids min!
If you’re a grandparent, you are the most experienced parent in the room. Don’t just
cruise control it to Heaven. Use your wisdom to help another generation know Jesus.

15 > 50: The overwhelming majority of people started following Christ before age

Deuteronomy 6:18-24

18 “In the future your children will ask you, ‘What is the meaning of these laws, decrees, and regulations that the Lord our God has commanded us to obey?’

21 “Then you must tell
them, ‘We were Pharaoh’s slaves in Egypt, but the Lord brought us out of Egypt with his
strong hand.

22 The Lord did miraculous signs and wonders before our eyes, dealing

terrifying blows against Egypt and Pharaoh and all his people.

23 He brought us out of
Egypt so he could give us this land he had sworn to give our ancestors.

Point the next generation to Jesus. Help them understand who God is and what he is
trying to rescue them from. Tell them what he’s done in your life. Prioritize your
relationships with them.
Sign of a Growing Christ Follower: I prioritize time with my family.Our families are the constants in our lives. Prioritize time with them. Don’t let yourself get
too busy for your family. Friends come and go. But your family is your family. That doesn’t change. I prioritize time with my family because I recognize that I am the primary discipler of my kids, not this church. Not the kids ministry. It’s me and my wife, Katy.

If you quit your job, you’ll be replaced. No one can replace you in your family. You leave your wife and kids and they are damaged for life. Your family is the only place you are not replaceable. God chose one person to be Hazel’s dad and I want to ace that job. What you do outside of Sundays – that shows your true devotion. Just like an athlete. The difference though…this is the practice. The real game is lived out throughout the week. Today is the prep work. The training time. So that we can live out the mission the rest of the week.
Not being devoted to our faith outside of Sundays is like someone just showing up to practice every week but sitting out of the game.

Application
Devotion is a full-time decision.
Are there family relationships that you need to prioritize more?
How devoted are you being to seeking out healthy relationships in your family?
How often do you talk about faith with your family?
Are there family relationships where you need to seek out reconciliation and forgiveness?

Next Steps: “Yes” to Jesus; Who do you need to pursue? Who do you need to forgive?

This is the separation point. How you live out your faith outside of Sundays
determines how true your faith is. How devoted you are to God?