Transformational Homes: Why the Home?

The following are notes from a seminar led by Luke and Christina Embree at Roxbury Holiness Camp, Summer 2015.

Why Transformational Homes? Why Now?

Activity: Draw a picture of a “family.” What do we learn from this activity?
1. A. Families are changing
2. What are some ways that families are changing? Why does it matter?
3. 1 Chronicles 12.32
  1. “From Issachar- men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do”

Problem 1: Our culture is rapidly becoming “post-Christian”.

84% of Americans who read the Bible own one or more Bibles. But only 37% read them daily while 8% only read once a month or less. (Source: Lifeway)
Many of the words and terms we use came from Bible but not many understand them in their biblical context anymore.

Problem 2: Younger generations are not identifying with the Christian faith the way that they once did.

The growth of the Unaffiliated or the “Nones”

Big Question: Why are other faiths increasing in number when Christianity is on the decline?

One of the reasons could be the emphasis other faiths place on practicing their faith in their homes and with their children

Solution: If we are going to effectively raise the next generation of Christians, we cannot just continue to “do life/church/family” the way that we have for the last half a century. We’re going to have to do things differently.

“The Home”

Home as Church

Every Christian family ought to be as it were a little church, consecrated to Christ, and wholly influenced and governed by his rules. And family education and order are some of the chief means of grace. If these fail, all other means are likely to prove in effectual. If these are duly maintained, all the means of grace will be likely to prosper and be successful. – Jonathan Edwards

The family is a domestic church. Because everyone comes from a family, the strength of the family determines everything: The health of the church. The influence of the gospel. The impact of world missions. The conscience of political leadership.The character of our military and first responders..The heart of our educational system. The ethics of our scientific community. The morality of our arts and entertainment. The integrity of our business community. (Tim Kimmel)
In the beginning, God didn’t make a church, a country club, a committee, or an organization. He made a family. (Tim Kimmel)
What rules our home? God’s grace or or Fear?
- ACTIVITY – Reactions. Considered the following images and write down your initial reaction in terms of your “gut feeling.”
  - Your reactions can set a tone in your home before you even say a word. Are we reacting in fear or are we acting in grace?
  - The biggest category among Christian parents, is “fear-based” parents. They are scared they cannot transfer God’s Word to their children on their own. If we aren’t careful, the Christian life we teach our kids ends up being “sin management” and “image control,” instead of the true work of the cross. – Tim Kimmel (link above)

Transformational Homes

Caregivers are leading their kids
They are outwardly focused.
Parents are proactive not reactiv

For the notes from the other three sessions, please click here.

For more information about practical discipleship in the home or transitioning to a more home-focused ministry at your church, go to ReFocus Ministry or “like” our Facebook page.

About the presenters

Luke and Christina Embree are parents to three wonderful kids and following God’s calling to full-time ministry. Luke, a pastor with the Brethren in Christ denomination, is currently completing his Master’s of Divinity at Asbury Theological Seminary. Christina currently serves as a family minister at Nicholasville UMC is passionate about seeing churches partnering with families to encourage faith formation at home and equipping parents to disciple their kids in the faith. Currently studying Family, Youth and Children’s Ministry at Wesley Seminary, she also blogs at www.refocusministry.org and is a contributing blogger at ChildrensMinistryBlog.com, Seedbed, and D6 Family.