Family Ministry

Straw, Hay, or Brick? Building Strong Households Devotional

By Janella Van Zee

Straw, hay, brick...is this “The Three Little Pigs” revisited? Not quite! As 1 Corinthians 4:10-13 stresses the importance of carefully choosing how we build our spiritual lives, on Saturday, April 19 the Southwestern International Church of Christ had the privilege of learning how to build spiritually strong households from Steve and Diane Brown of the Greater Nashville Church of Christ. Married couples with children, couples without children and single parents were invited to this special devotional. Aaron and Brenda Salazar, having known the Browns and their kids for many years, knew they were the perfect couple to come and share their wisdom, conviction and hearts on this topic. Utilizing a projector screen, Steve and Diane, not only shared powerfully from God’s Word, but also they also shared their lives intimately and vulnerably through family photos, letters and cards written to each other, a music video and even Diane singing a song she used to sing to her children when they were small. It was a very impacting time.

After hearing Steve and Diane’s lesson, Trish Cullen said, “I see that our family needs to be strengthened spiritually by improving our DAILY times with God as a family, taking things deeper, especially now that the kids have learned some basic things. We need to have daily times with God together, and really teach our kids the Bible. The devotional reminded Dan and I that trials will come and the habits we build now will help us to weather the storms in a Godly way. As an individual, I need to be sure my kids see me spending time in the Bible and in prayer and I need to react in a more Godly way when I get frustrated with them. I was reminded in the devotional how much they watch me and will act like me, truly a sobering thought! I have been trying to memorize scriptures especially ones that will help me when I feel overwhelmed.”

George Gebran shared, “I see that it's so important that it starts with me and God first, making sure that God truly is the center of all areas of my life. It would be shallow to try to lead my wife when my own view of God is weak. Also, I have decided to have the deep understanding that the only way to build character is through suffering. I want to strengthen my family with the decision to trust God in tough times and to persevere faithfully like Jesus did not like the world perseveres. A single parent, Robert Young, stated, “I appreciate what was said about setting the course with reference to Hebrews 12:1-2 and deciding to set a tone of excitement and daring adventure by choosing God, not simply staying comfortable and secure. I want to personally develop habits/patterns as Steve mentioned to strengthen my family’s connection to God. Beyond the family devotionals being a constant, I also want to be sure to take every opportunity (drive to school, walks to park) to share God and his wonders with my children. I know in being a single parent, life is sometimes hectic, but if I don’t set aside special time to listen to God, how will I teach my children to do so? As a parent, I am obligated to do this! Hearing the Browns share about ‘patient endurance’ may be what stays with me the most. This attribute will help me facilitate building a spiritual home. I pray we all leave a legacy of patient endurance.”