Author: Pastor Stephen Heimer

[…and the jailer asked,] “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” ³²Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house.

(Acts 16:30-32)

Rejoice! Christ comes to save us – you, me, and everyone in our households. The passage above from Acts 16 could have mentioned only the jailer’s saving-faith and we still would have celebrated God’s miracle and the testimony of His people that led to this saving faith. The passage doesn’t stop there though.  It includes the detail about his household also being saved. The Bible mentions households more than 2,100 times.  God observes Noah and his household and He lays out for them His instructions for salvation from the flood.  God’s covenant with Abraham is a household promise that through them He will bless all nations.  God clearly cares about us individually, sees us and loves us individually, AND He sees and cares about our entire household.

How are Our Households Doing?

During COVID, most people are spending more time at home, physically together, with fewer out-of-home activities sucking away time that could be spent together in prayer, reading scripture, and having spiritual conversations.  With much more worship and Biblical teaching available online and plenty of print Bibles and digital Bibles at our fingertips, we would expect Christians are living out their faith more and more as vibrant Christian households. This IS happening in many of our homes. Praise God! BUT several recent studies show that in many cases people are actually reading the Bible less during COVID as they find their time and attention drawn into streaming movies and other activities. There is good, bad, and ugly unfolding in our homes and one study found that 30% fewer people are reading the Bible regularly compared to before COVID hit.

A Vision for Vibrant Households of Faith

Let’s you and me all live out the better opportunities this year is offering for the life-giving practices that bring us closer to each other and to God.  I’ve heard good reports from many Zion families, about how you are in the Word, in prayer, in conversation, and in worship together, more than ever.  New friends of Zion have heard God’s call to draw closer to Him and are enjoying a new season of growth with us in His Word. 

Our Fall Stewardship Theme: “Spiritually Vibrant Homes”

• October 4^th – “A Harvest for Eternal Joy”
• October 11^th – “Homes of Messy Prayers”
• October 18^th – “Homes with Open Doors”
• October 25^th – “Homes of Loud Tables”
• November 1^st – “Homes of Eternal Love”

Learning from scripture and examining some findings from recent research conducted by the Barna Group and Lutheran Hour Ministries, we will invite God to renew and enliven our Christian homelife.  Some of the research findings I am eager for us to examine together include these from the Barna study:

• Relating to God together can prepare a household for tough times. (True in the research and in the testimonies I’ve heard at Zion this year)
• Having an extended household helps (Relating with Christians outside your family helps)
• Households that relate to God together tend to do a lot together (“good fun, good work, and good faith go hand in hand”)

We will invite the Holy Spirit to guide us as we make household plans for the vibrant life of faith to which God has called us.  God bless you and all of your households in the awesome love and grace of God Almighty.

In Christ’s peace,

Pastor Stephen