Sunday
July 16
1. THE FIRST PLACE
a. What is the first place where we should focus our missionary efforts? Deuteronomy 6:5–9; Psalm 128:1–3.
“Our work for Christ is to begin with the family in the home. . . . There is no missionary field more important than this. By precept and example parents are to teach their children to labor for the unconverted. The children should be so educated that they will sympathize with the aged and afflicted and will seek to alleviate the sufferings of the poor and distressed. They should be taught to be diligent in missionary work; and from their earliest years self-denial and sacrifice for the good of others and the advancement of Christ’s cause should be inculcated, that they may be laborers together with God.
“But if they ever learn to do genuine missionary work for others, they must first learn to labor for those at home, who have a natural right to their offices of love.”–Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 429.
b. What do the following verses teach us about our home life, especially of those holding a position in the church? Why is this important? 1 Timothy 3:3–7; Titus 2:3–5.
Monday
July 17
2. A TRAINING CENTER
a. Besides being a place to live, what is the purpose of the home? Proverbs 22:6.
“Our households must be set in order, and earnest efforts must be made to interest every member of the family in missionary enterprises. We must seek to engage the sympathies of our children in earnest work for the unsaved, that they may do their best at all times and in all places to represent Christ.”–The Review and Herald, July 4, 1893.
b. When the training is done properly in the home, what will happen outside of the home? Matthew 5:16.
“The mission of the home extends beyond its own members. The Christian home is to be an object lesson, illustrating the excellence of the true principles of life. Such an illustration will be a power for good in the world. Far more powerful than any sermon that can be preached is the influence of a true home upon human hearts and lives. As the youth go out from such a home, the lessons they have learned are imparted. Nobler principles of life are introduced into other households, and an uplifting influence works in the community.”–The Ministry of Healing, p. 352.
c. What does true home missionary work prove? 2 Corinthians 13:5.
“Some who have long professed to be Christians, and yet have felt no responsibility for souls perishing within the shadow of their own homes, may think they have a work to do in foreign lands; but where is the evidence of their fitness for such a work? Wherein have they manifested a burden for souls? These persons need first to be taught and disciplined at home. True faith and love for Christ would create in them a most earnest desire to save souls right at home. They would exert every spiritual energy to draw with Christ, learning His meekness and lowliness. Then if God should desire them to go to foreign countries, they would be prepared.”–Testimonies, vol. 6, pp. 427, 428.
Tuesday
July 18
3. SPECIFICS
a. Which specific things need to be practiced consistently in the home? Philippians 1:27.
“The Christian’s first duty is in the home. Fathers and mothers, yours is a great responsibility. You are preparing your children for life or for death; you are training them for an abiding place here in the earth, for self-gratification in this life, or for the immortal life, to praise God forever. And which shall it be? It should be the burden of your life to have every child that God has committed to your trust receive the divine mold. Your children should be taught to control their tempers and to cultivate a loving, Christlike spirit. So direct them that they will love the service of God, that they will take more pleasure in going to the house of worship than to places of amusement. Teach them that religion is a living principle. Had I been brought up with the idea that religion is a mere feeling, my life would have been a useless one. But I never let feeling come between Heaven and my soul. Whatever my feelings may be, I will seek God at the commencement of the day, at noon, and at night, that I may draw strength from the living Source of power.”–The Signs of the Times, January 14, 1886.
b. Why is there so much emphasis on what we are like in the home? 1 Timothy 5:8.
“If these children had been properly trained and disciplined, if they had been brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, heavenly angels would be in your homes. If you were true home missionaries, in your daily life exemplifying the teachings of the word of God, you would be preparing yourselves for a wider field of usefulness, and at the same time fitting your children to stand by your side, as efficient workers in the cause of God. What an impression it makes upon society to see a family united in the work and service of the Lord. Such a family is a powerful discourse in favor of the reality of Christianity. Others see that there is an influence at work in the family that affects the children, and that the God of Abraham is with them. And that which has such a powerful influence on the children is felt beyond the home, and affects other lives. If the homes of professed Christians had a right religious mold, they would exert a mighty influence for good. They would indeed be the ‘light of the world.’”–The Signs of the Times, January 14, 1886.
Wednesday
July 19
4. PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
a. What should we be practicing daily with one another? Philippians 2:3; Ephesians 4:31, 32.
“By practicing self-denial in the home, we are fitted to work for others. The effort to make the home what it should be–a symbol of the home in heaven–prepares us for work in a larger sphere. The education received by showing a tender regard for each other, enables us to know how to reach hearts that need to be taught the principles of true religion. The church needs all the cultivated spiritual force which can be obtained, that all, and especially the younger members of the Lord’s family may be carefully guarded. The truth lived at home makes itself felt in disinterested labor abroad. He who lives Christianity in the home will be a bright and shining light everywhere.”–The Signs of the Times, September 1, 1898.
b. In what relationship must this be developed first? Ephesians 5:25, 29, 33; 1 Peter 3:1, 7.
“If you have words of kindness and acts of courtesy to give, it is always safe to give them to your wife. It will be a great blessing to her, and will bring happiness to her heart which will be reflected back upon you again.”–A Solemn Appeal, p. 156.
c. How will love manifest itself in the home? 1 Corinthians 13:4–7.
“It is the little attentions, the numerous small incidents and simple courtesies of life, that make up the sum of life’s happiness; and it is the neglect of kindly, encouraging, affectionate words, and the little courtesies of life, which helps compose the sum of life’s wretchedness. It will be found at last that the denial of self for the good and happiness of those around us constitutes a large share of the life record in heaven. And the fact will also be revealed that the care of self, irrespective of the good and happiness of others, is not beneath the notice of our heavenly Father.”–Testimonies, vol. 2, pp. 133, 134.
Thursday
July 20
5. MORE TO LEARN
a. What other things should be practiced in our home? 1 Thessalonians 4:11, 12.
b. What should never be in our home and why? Proverbs 17:14.
“This is an age of profession and pretension. On all sides we see beautiful houses erected, splendidly furnished, adorned with pictures and equipped with everything to delight the eye and gratify the taste. Looking upon outside appearances we might say, Surely here are happy homes. Yet within these mansions lust and evil passions hold sway. Husbands are killing their wives that they may gratify their unholy lust, killing them with neglect, with harshness, with overbearing and self-importance. Those who were once made in the image of God, by indulgence in evil are blotting out every semblance of the divine nature.”–The Review and Herald, June 5, 1894.
c. What can our homes be used for? 1 Peter 4:9. How will this kind of home affect the church?
“Even among those who profess to be Christians, true hospitality is little exercised. Among our own people the opportunity of showing hospitality is not regarded as it should be, as a privilege and blessing. There is altogether too little sociability, too little of a disposition to make room for two or three more at the family board, without embarrassment or parade. Some plead that ‘it is too much trouble.’ It would not be if you would say, ‘We have made no special preparation, but you are welcome to what we have.’ By the unexpected guest a welcome is appreciated far more than is the most elaborate preparation.”–Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 343.
“The books of heaven will reveal a terrible record of unfulfilled home duties against parents who were considered intelligent missionary workers. How much more influence these parents might have had, how much more good they might have done, had they commenced the work at the right point, by setting their own house in order, and presenting to their neighbors a well-ordered family as evidence of the power of the truth! When it is seen that the children are not like worldlings, when the beauty of faith and the spirit of genuine Christianity are seen in them, it will be as a light pointing heavenward.”–The Review and Herald, May 22, 1888.
Friday
July 21
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. Where is our first mission field and why?
2. What should be happening in the home that will affect the world?
3. Does my home reflect the right attitude and tone? In what ways do I need to change in order to have the right spirit?
4. How are my relationships with my spouse, children, and friends?
5. Are there ways that my home can be used to reach the heart of others?
A Living Witness. “The greatest evidence of the power of Christianity that can be presented to the world is a well-ordered, well-disciplined family. This will recommend the truth as nothing else can; for it is a living witness of its practical power upon the heart.”–Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 304.
A Mighty Influence for Good. “A well-ordered Christian household is a powerful argument in favor of the reality of the Christian religion–an argument that the infidel cannot gainsay. All can see that there is an influence at work in the family that affects the children, and that the God of Abraham is with them. If the homes of professed Christians had a right religious mold, they would exert a mighty influence for good. They would indeed be the ‘light of the world.’”–Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 144.
Prayerful Parents. “Oh, that parents would look prayerfully and carefully after their children's eternal welfare! Let them ask themselves, Have we been careless? Have we neglected this solemn work? Have we allowed our children to become the sport of Satan's temptations? Have we not a solemn account to settle with God because we have permitted our children to use their talents, their time and influence, in working against the truth, against Christ? Have we not neglected our duty as parents and increased the number of the subjects of Satan's kingdom?
“By many this home field has been shamefully neglected, and it is time that divine resources and remedies were presented, that this state of evil may be corrected. What excuse can the professed followers of Christ offer for neglecting to train their children to work for Him?”–Testimonies, vol. 6, pp. 429, 430.
Finding Joy in Service. “The more fully the spirit of true ministry pervades the home the more fully it will be developed in the lives of the children. They will learn to find joy in service and sacrifice for the good of others.”–The Ministry of Healing, p. 401.