April 1st, 2025
As For Me and My House
“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” -Acts 16:31
My house is full of noise. Screaming, laughing, crying, giggling, talking toddlers. Beeping, honking, singing, music-playing toys. The dryer, the washing machine, the dishwasher. The TV. The beautiful sound of my wife’s voice. On and on the list goes.
But one sound in my house is better than all the others. My favorite sound is the voice of my children singing: “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so.” My boys learned that song from their wonderful Sunday School teachers at Christ Presbyterian. Between their time at church and their time with us at home, my wife and I are endeavoring to realize the promise of Acts 16:31. Shannon and I have been saved by the grace of God – and we want our entire household to experience that salvation along with us.
But what exactly is Acts 16:31 promising? Is the Bible teaching us that if one or two parents are saved, then the whole household will be as well? Not exactly. As with all rules, there are exceptions. Sometimes godly parents have children who stray from the Lord. These exceptions are heartbreaking and the church should grieve with and pray with parents who find themselves in such a situation.
Whatever the rules and the exceptions may be, the Philippian jailer of Acts 16 gives all parents everywhere an example to follow. He stands in a long line of fathers who made a decision not only for themselves, but for their families. He echoes the conquering hero of the Old Testament – a man named Joshua – who said, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Dads – have you made that decision? Not just for you – but for your entire household?
Moms – are you supporting and encouraging your husbands as he seeks to lead your family in the things of the Lord?
Children – are you respecting the decision your father has made, trusting that he has done it not just for his good but for your own?
Your Pastor and Friend,
John Knox Foster
“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” -Acts 16:31
My house is full of noise. Screaming, laughing, crying, giggling, talking toddlers. Beeping, honking, singing, music-playing toys. The dryer, the washing machine, the dishwasher. The TV. The beautiful sound of my wife’s voice. On and on the list goes.
But one sound in my house is better than all the others. My favorite sound is the voice of my children singing: “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so.” My boys learned that song from their wonderful Sunday School teachers at Christ Presbyterian. Between their time at church and their time with us at home, my wife and I are endeavoring to realize the promise of Acts 16:31. Shannon and I have been saved by the grace of God – and we want our entire household to experience that salvation along with us.
But what exactly is Acts 16:31 promising? Is the Bible teaching us that if one or two parents are saved, then the whole household will be as well? Not exactly. As with all rules, there are exceptions. Sometimes godly parents have children who stray from the Lord. These exceptions are heartbreaking and the church should grieve with and pray with parents who find themselves in such a situation.
Whatever the rules and the exceptions may be, the Philippian jailer of Acts 16 gives all parents everywhere an example to follow. He stands in a long line of fathers who made a decision not only for themselves, but for their families. He echoes the conquering hero of the Old Testament – a man named Joshua – who said, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Dads – have you made that decision? Not just for you – but for your entire household?
Moms – are you supporting and encouraging your husbands as he seeks to lead your family in the things of the Lord?
Children – are you respecting the decision your father has made, trusting that he has done it not just for his good but for your own?
Your Pastor and Friend,
John Knox Foster
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