Matthew 7:24-27 (NIV) “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

1) FOUNDATION

God’s Word must be the foundation

Deuteronomy 6:5-7 (NIV) Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

 Faith is formed at home first

2 Timothy 1:5 (NIV) I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

o   What is shaping your home more—God’s Word or culture?

o   If your kids repeated your spiritual habits, would their foundation be solid or shaky?

2) PILLARS

Colossians 3:14 (ESV) And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

 Love is spelled T I M E

 Our words have power to impact people

James 3:9-10 (NIV) With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.

o  Would your kids describe you as present or just busy?

o  What words are your kids hearing most from you right now?

3) WALLS

 Joshua 24:15 (NIV) “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”

A.  Boundaries create safety

B.  Boundaries/standards must be set by parents, not culture

Romans 12:2 (NIV) Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. 

o   Where has culture set boundaries in your home instead of you?

o   Are your boundaries consistent—or emotional?

4) FRAMEWORK

 1 Corinthians 11:1 (NIV) Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

o   What are you modeling under pressure?

o   Are you more concerned with image or integrity?

5) THE BUILDER

Psalm 127:1 (NIV) Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain

Mark 8:36 (NIV) “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul.”

Prayer builds God into your home

1 Samuel 12:23 (NIV) As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you

o    When was the last time you prayed intentionally over your family?

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