A theologically-deep friend was talking about family idolatry. To make a point, he noted the sort of churches with “Nameofchurch Family Life Center” on the marquee at the parking lot entrance. “That’s heresy,” he lamented, meaning that families are not the center of church life.
Some might think he’s being a little hard-nosed, but it’s a point well taken. Families are not the center of church life, and they aren’t an end unto themselves. As important as families are, as sources of nurture and emotional support, providing roots, a history rich with traditions and relationships for a life-time, all of those good things are not the highest purposes of family.
Families are God’s intended nests for raising children, bringing them up as believers… children who not only know doctrine and can say what they believe and why, but whose hearts are turned toward Him and his ways. And here’s the bad news: guess who is the first source for them to be learning this?
What does it look like when we have a heart turned toward God? What doesn’t it look like? Ask about your own heart first — if our hearts aren’t turned the right direction, it’s going to be difficult to impart a love for God to our children.
How about you? What’s the direction of your heart’s leaning? What is at the center of your life?
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