During the past

few weeks I have been challenging parents to lead their families by example.

Step up when things need to be addressed. The real need today is for Christian families to have Christ-centered homes. There is a big difference between being a Christian family and having a Christ-centered home.

Unfortunately, you can call yourself a Christian family today, and that doesn’t mean much. About 80 percent or so of our country would say, “We’re Christian” but the lifestyle in their home would be anything but Christ-like. Unfortunately, we settle for less than God’s best in the things that matter most.

If Christ-likeness was a crime, would there be enough evidence to convict your family?

This is not intended to shame you, but it is a legitimate question.

If the answer is not what you desire, you have the power, with God’s help, to change it. You and I can decide that our homes will be Christ centered.

We get to choose. Joshua made his choice; “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15b) Joshua chose to pursue God. He made a deliberate decision. We can make our spiritual life, and the spiritual life of our family, a priority. It is up to us.

You may say you have a Christian family, but do you have a Christ-centered home? Think about all of the silly things that we long for and love in the place of God. Things like success, popularity, material possessions, leisure activities, etc. The list could go on and on. We run after all of these things, then we wonder why our lives are so empty.

Help your family see God as lovable. Help them know that He loves them. Teach them that He is approachable, and He wants to be involved in their lives.

Create an environment where your kids want

to have discussions about God so it’s not something they feel like they have to do, but something they want to do.

Make it easy for them to talk about God and to discuss spiritual things. Make it natural. Lead toward a Christ-centered culture in your family.

No family is perfect. But that does not mean that we should not keep striving to be all that God would have our family to be. When you decide to pursue righteousness you can count on God to keep His promise. (Matthew 5:6)

Steve Greene is the lead pastor at The Point in Seymour. You can email him at [email protected].