Monday, April 27, 2020
#HOMEchurch Day42. Here are this week’s Monday mealtime conversation starters :
One of my wife’s greatest qualities is the thoughtful questions she asks, and the way she actively listens. She listens to understand – not just to hear, and not just so she can think of the next thing she is going to say.
This evening, as you gather with your family or housemates over dinner, or to share a meal or coffee with a friend over FaceTime, practice these two valuable conversation skills: 1-Ask Thoughtful Questions, and 2-Listen to Understand. Here are some topics to help you get started:
- When do you feel most content?
- What household chore do you actually enjoy?
- What is one step you would like to take to be more like Jesus?
Tuesday, April 28, 2020
#HOMEchurch Day43. When Jesus was asked, “What is the greatest commandment?”, He replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.” (See HOMEchurch Day 41.) He did not stop there, however; He added a second crucial element: “The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:31)
We are never more like Jesus than when we are selflessly loving others. That’s what He did, and He came to show us what God is like (Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:3), and this is what God is like: GOD LOVES PEOPLE.
Today, I want to encourage your household to fast from one meal, and to give the money you would have spent on that meal to a local organization that feeds hungry people in your area, such as a food bank or a soup kitchen.
For instance, if you would have had soup and sandwiches together for lunch at a cost of $4/person, and you have a family of five, then you would fast, pray together for hungry people in your area, and donate $20 to your local soup kitchen.
Or if you and your roommates were planning to cook spaghetti together for dinner at a cost of $5/person, and there are three of you in your apartment, then you could instead fast and pray together for hungry people in your region, then donate $15 together to your local food bank.
Wednesday, April 29, 2020
#HOMEchurch Day44. Now it’s your turn! What creative ideas may God’s Spirit be giving you to help lead your household in discipleship, worship, fellowship, and service to others? Here is my final #HOMEchurch exercise for you for this Covid-19 quarantine season:
Set aside 30 minutes to sit (or walk) alone with the Lord, and ask Him to help you step into a new level of spiritual leadership within your household:
“Father, I believe You love my household and my family even more than I do. My household is Yours. It is all from You, and it is all for You. You have placed me in a position of leadership for them, and I want to lead with Your wisdom and courage. I need Your help. I need Your passion, Your vision, Your guidance, Your ideas. I open myself to You now: what creative means would you have for me to help lead this household You have given me in discipleship, worship, fellowship, and service to others?
And then, sit (or walk), and listen. With notebook open and pen uncapped, wait on Him, and listen for Him. Attend to the thoughts and ideas that begin to surface in your mind – and write them down. Once you have a few ideas, ask God for wisdom and courage to help you provide ongoing, proactive spiritual leadership for your home.
YOU CAN DO THIS! We learn best by doing, and practice makes progress. The more you do it, the more comfortable and confident you will be. God will be with you, smiling over you!, every step of the way. I promise you: YOU CAN DO THIS!
HOME:church Guide Book
I have compiled all 44 of these daily #HOMEchurch posts together into a single volume that I am sharing HERE as a free PDF download! This is a resource designed to equip you to be the spiritual leader of your household. Each day in the HOME:church Guide Book provides an exercise that you can do with the other members of your home to help lead them in one of four spiritual growth categories: discipleship, worship, Christian fellowship, and service to others.
Each day’s activity takes between 10-30 minutes to complete, and is designed for members of all ages to share in together. Our primary goal is discipleship – helping individuals and families practice following the teachings and example of Jesus – in fun, interactive, and encouraging ways!
Check it out, practice some of the activities you’ll find in there together with your household – and hey: it’s free! – so please share this resource with others!
May God bless you and your household, and may you all grow deep in Christ together, bearing much fruit for God’s Kingdom with your lives!
Like Trees Planted 