In all the sanctuary services, there was cooperation between the human and the divine. The priests were to minister and serve. They exercised authority, yet they were to be servants. How can we serve one another at home?

In John 13:12-17, we read about Jesus' example and warning when serving His disciples at the Last Supper. It was Jesus, their Lord and Master, who lovingly served the disciples.

A Vision of the Sanctuary and its Surroundings

In the sanctuary of Israel's camp, there were four areas: The Most Holy Place, the Holy Place, the courtyard, and the camp. The center and core of the sanctuary and its services was the Most Holy Place. The Most Holy Place and the Holy Place formed the sanctuary tent. Then there was the courtyard and the camp.

The sanctuary areas in the home:The Most Holy Place – husband and wife (the most intimate sacred circle) and their physical, mental, and spiritual relationship.The Holy Place – parents, children, and closest relatives (and their relationships).The Courtyard – the church family and others in the home (and their relationships). These participate in worship – “the morning and evening sacrifice.”The Camp – those outside the home (and its influence), the world in general.

Reflection: How can the home be a sanctuary?

The Parents' First Responsibility

"Your duties are all around you, near and far. Your first duty is to your children and closest relatives. Nothing can excuse you from neglecting the inner circle for the larger circle outside... Sons and Daughters of God, 223.

The Lord does not require anyone to neglect the sacred family circle for the broader circles of others.

What are some activities families can do together that can include others?– Worship services– Recreation– Missionary work– Hosting guests

The sacred family circle should not be considered so much in "geographical" terms. It is more a state of mind. It should be maintained everywhere – even in a concentration camp!

The Home Sanctuary and Its Influence"Some families have a little church at home. Mutual love binds hearts together, and the unity that exists among family members preaches the most effective sermon that can be preached about practical godliness. As parents faithfully fulfill their duty in the family, restraining, correcting, counseling, guiding – the father as the priest of the family, the mother as the missionary of the home – they are occupying the sphere God wants them to occupy. By faithfully fulfilling domestic duties, they are multiplying instruments for doing good outside the home. They are becoming more fit to work in the church. By discreetly educating their little flock, binding their children to themselves and to God, fathers and mothers become co-laborers with God. The cross is erected in their home. Family members become members of the true family above, children of the heavenly King." Sons and Daughters of God, 223.

The influences of such a home can reach far beyond the sacred circle. Just as the Shekinah glory shone from the Most Holy Place to the Holy Place, to the courtyard, and out into the camp, the light of parental love should shine for children and for others.

Reflection: How can parents become "more fit to work in the church"?

The Father's Position and Responsibility

The Family's Unifying Bond: "The husband is the unifying bond of the home's treasures, uniting through his devoted, strong, fervent affection, the family members – mother and children – in the strongest bonds of unity. His name is defined as the family's unifying bond... I saw that few fathers feel their responsibility." The Adventist Home, 211.

Reflection: Why is the role of "unifying bond" more appropriate for the husband than for the wife?

The Head of the Home: "The husband and father is the head of the family. The wife expects love and interest from him, as well as help in raising the children, and this is right. The children belong to him, just as they do to her, and their happiness is equally his concern. Children expect support and guidance from their father; he must have a just conception of life, and of the influences and associations that should surround his family; he must be governed, above all, by the love and fear of God, and by the teachings of His Word, so that he may be able to guide the children's feet in the right path... "The father must do his part to make the home happy. Whatever his cares and perplexities in business, he should not allow them to cast a shadow over the family; he should enter the home with smiles and pleasant words." The Adventist Home, 211, 212.

To fulfill his role as head of the home, the father must recognize that his wife needs love and sympathy and his help in raising the children, and that the children need support and direction. The father also needs to be careful not to burden the family with work-related worries and problems. This is part of his responsibility in making the home happy.

Reflection: For the husband to be the true head of the family, what concepts does he need to understand and be governed by?

The Lawgiver of the Home: “All family members center around the father. He is the lawgiver, embodying in his own masculinity the important virtues: energy, integrity, honesty, patience, courage, diligence, and proactiveness.” The Adventist Home, 212.

The laws, or rules, of the home can be established and enforced by the father in two ways: Without discussion and counsel from family members, which inevitably results in dictatorship, or with discussion and counsel from family members, which normally results in a happy home.

The Priest of the Home: “The father is in a sense the priest of the family, presenting before God's altar the morning and evening sacrifice. The wife and children should be encouraged to join in this offering and also to participate in songs of praise. Morning and evening, the father, as priest of the family, should confess to God the sins committed by himself and by his children during the day. Both known sins and those that are secret and known only to God should be confessed.” The Adventist Home, 212, 213.

Reflection: What does the role of priest include for the husband?

The Mother's Position and Responsibility

Equality with the Husband: “Woman should occupy the position God originally designed for her, one of equality with her husband. The world needs mothers who are so not merely in name but in every sense of the word. We can safely say that the duties that distinguish woman are more sacred, more holy, than those of man. Let woman understand the sacredness of her work, and in the strength and fear of God, assume the mission of her life. Educate her children to be useful in this world and for the home in the better world.

“The wife and mother should not sacrifice her strength and allow her faculties to become inactive, depending entirely on her husband. Her individuality cannot merge into his. She should feel that she is equal to her husband – she should stand by his side, faithful in her post of duty, and he in his. Her work in educating her children is in all respects as elevated and noble as any position of honor he may be called to occupy, even if it be that of chief judge of the nation.” The Adventist Home, 231

Reflection: How can the wife legitimately be “equal to her husband,” when God said, “and he shall rule over you”? (Genesis 3:16). Could it be in the areas of the “duties that distinguish her”? In her individuality? Read Proverbs 31:10-31.

The distinct duties of the wife in training children are the most elevated work ever entrusted to mortals. They are of equal importance to any responsibility a man may have.

The Queen of the Home: “The king on his throne has no higher function than the mother. The mother is the queen of the home. She has the power to mold the character of her children, so that they may be fitted for the higher, immortal life. An angel would not desire a higher mission; for in doing her work she is performing service for God. Let her but comprehend the elevated character of her task, and this will inspire her with courage. Let her understand the dignity of her work and take on the whole armor of God, that she may resist the temptation to conform to the world's standards. Her work is for time and eternity. The Adventist Home, 231, 233

Just as a queen is respected and honored by her subjects, the mother also deserves respect and honor from her husband and children.

Reflection: What is God's assessment of a mother's work? What should a mother feel when she realizes how elevated the character of her task is?

Her Influence is Exalted: “The mother is the queen of the home, and the children are her subjects. She should govern the household wisely, in the dignity of her motherhood. Her influence in the home should be exalted; her word, law. If she is a Christian under God's government, she will command the respect of her children.” The Adventist Home, 232.

How can both husband and wife fulfill their God-assigned responsibilities and yet not dominate each other? (Genesis 2:24; 1 Corinthians 7:3).

Priest When the Father is Absent: “This practice, diligently followed by the father when present, or by the mother when the father is absent, will result in a blessing upon the family.” The Adventist Home, 212.

The mother cannot rely on her husband's Christian experience. To be able to lead as priestess of the home in the father's absence, she needs to have her own experience to share.

The Home, a Center of Influence

“True Christian effort begins in the family, and should expand from that center to embrace wider spheres. A soul saved in the circle of your family or in the neighborhood, through your patient and earnest labor, will bring as much honor to the name of Christ and shine as brightly in your crown as if you had found that soul in China or India.” Sons and Daughters of God, p. 252.

May God help us transform our home into a center of influence to lead others to Jesus.

Taken from the book “Home Leadership” [Liderança do Lar], W.D. Frazee Sermons Ministry.

#Education #Family

‍