1. Keeping God in Your Home

2. God Is Gone Through simple neglect (Judges 2:10; 8:34) Through foolish thinking (Psa. 10:4; 14:1) Through cultural conditioning (Ex. 5:2; Acts 17; Rom. 1:28ff; 1 Cor. 1:21; Eph. 2:12; 1 Thess. 4:5) What can we do to keep God in our home? Consider four things from this well-known text: Deuteronomy 6:6-9 (see also 11:18-20)

3. Deuteronomy 6:6-9 6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be upon thy heart; 7 and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thy hand, and they shall be for frontlets between thine eyes. 9 And thou shalt write them upon the door-posts of thy house, and upon thy gates.

4. Keeping God in Your Home First, personal example (6:6) We must first have God’s word in our own heart; we cannot give away what we do not have Our personal example is powerful (1 K. 22:43; Prov. 20:7; 23:26; Ezek. 16:44) It is easy to be inconsistent (Mt. 23:3-4; Rom. 2:1)

5. Deuteronomy 6:6-9 6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be upon thy heart; 7 and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thy hand, and they shall be for frontlets between thine eyes. 9 And thou shalt write them upon the door-posts of thy house, and upon thy gates.

6. Keeping God in Your Home Second, formal teaching (6:7) We must be intentional in our teaching; we must be diligent (repetitive) to transmit God’s word (Prov. 1:8; 4:20; 5:1; 6:20; 7:1) Begin early, family devotionals, preparing Bible class lessons together, being present in the assembly, attend gospel meetings, etc.

7. Some formal lessons: 1. Fear God (Prov. 1:7; 24:21) 2. Listen to wisdom (Prov. 1:8-9) 3. Behavior has consequences (Prov. 13:15) 4. Respect authority (Prov. 20:20) 5. Sin will not go unpunished (Prov. 17:11) 6. Value hard work (Prov. 10:5) 7. Avoid sin and sinful influence (Prov. 1:10)

8. Deuteronomy 6:6-9 6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be upon thy heart; 7 and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thy hand, and they shall be for frontlets between thine eyes. 9 And thou shalt write them upon the door-posts of thy house, and upon thy gates.

9. Keeping God in Your Home Third, informal conversation (6:7) We must make time for meaningful conversations about God and his word: (1) in the house, (2) alone the way, (3) lying down, and (4) rising up Teachable moments, at dinner, before leaving the house, traveling, Bible trivia, prayers, Bible stories, plans to serve God today

10. Deuteronomy 6:6-9 6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be upon thy heart; 7 and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thy hand, and they shall be for frontlets between thine eyes. 9 And thou shalt write them upon the door-posts of thy house, and upon thy gates.

11. Keeping God in Your Home Fourth, conspicuous scripture (6:8-9) We must make the scripture obvious and noticeable: (1) the hand; (2) the forehead; and (3) the doorpost (see Mt. 23:5) Post scriptures in the home and other places; use technology to post scripture; memorize scripture (Prov. 3:1-3; 7:1-3)

12. Why memorize scripture? 1. It keep us from sin and temptation (Psa. 119:11; Mt. 4:1-11) 2. It helps us to make wise decisions throughout the day (Psa. 119:97) 3. It comforts in times of sadness (Rom. 15:4) 4. It strengthens in times of uncertainty (Prov. 22:17-21) 5. It helps us to be ready to give an answer when others ask (1 Pet. 3:15)

13. Keep God in Your Home Personal example Formal teaching Informal conversation Conspicuous scripture