Spiritual formation at home is the most natural and productive context for faith and character formation because the longer one aligns his or her life with the truth, the more “second nature” it becomes to believe and behave according to God’s design. So what, precisely, starts at home? There are four roots to lifelong faith that grow best in the rich soil of family life.
Root One: BELIEFS – We live in a manner consistent with what we believe to be true, whether or not those beliefs align with reality. Our foundational beliefs about God, ourselves, and the world around us take shape in the context of the home.
Root Two: IDENTITY – Little boys were made to become responsible, self-sacrificial men. Little girls were created to become godly, selfless women. These identities must be modeled and affirmed to counter the sexual confusion rampant in our day.We all need to see and experience what it means to be made in God’s image as a male or a female, a process heavily dependent upon the model and influence of a godly marriage.
Root Three: CHARACTER – The habits we form and foster at home determine our character; they make it easy or difficult to do the right thing. The root of the word virtue means to make second nature behaviors that do not come naturally. (Remember Tiger Woods?) Little by little we climb uphill to become the person we were created to be. Nothing influences that process more than how diligent or delinquent parents are about modeling and reinforcing godly character.
Root Four: PURPOSE – Every person must be given a clear sense of purpose in life, a definition of success. Believers for generations have learned from the Westminster Shorter Catechism that “[m]an’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.” King Solomon wrote, “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all” (Ecclesiastes 12:13, NKJV). If we don’t clarify the purpose of life for the next generation, then “the world, the flesh, and the devil” will be more than happy to fill in the blank.
Every home fosters a culture that moves us toward or away from right beliefs, a healthy identity, good habits, and a clear purpose. Our goal is to inspire and equip you to instill all four in an intentional rather than haphazard manner.
Learn more about the HomePointe philosophy and strategy:
Learn more about the ‘Theology of Home’ and our philosophy.