“In His wisdom the Lord has decreed that the family shall be the greatest of all educational agencies. It is in the home that the education of the child is to begin. Here is his first school. Here, with his parents as instructors, he is to learn the lessons that are to guide him throughout life—lessons of respect, obedience, reverence, self-control.” Adventist Home, p. 182
Restoration International’s Oklahoma Family Campmeeting is a particular favorite of many AHE families. This year’s programs are being live-streamed for all to enjoy. If you are not able to watch them live (US Central Time), then you can check the links below to watch the archived videos at your convenience.
The Father and Jesus were discussing the future. They wished to help everyone to understand a little better. They wanted everyone to understand Their character, Their character of love. They came up with a plan. They would create an example that could perpetuate love forever. They would call this model “the family”. This family would multiply and thus love would multiply. This family would live forever and so would their love. The universe could see that love has no limits, that it can grow indefinitely. Even the angels could look in and get a better glimpse of the happiness that love brings.
This is why God created the human family. Sadly, humans set a different course and introduced hate into our families and then everything changed. Rather than the universe getting to observe God’s character through the families of earth, they had the chance to observe Satan’s character and the results of sin. The good news is, however, that the true Christian family can still demonstrate to the universe what God’s love is like. We can still fill the role that was originally set out for us. In fact, there is not a better witness that can be given for Christianity than the truly Christian home.
“A well-ordered Christian household is a powerful argument in favor of the reality of the Christian religion–an argument that the infidel cannot gainsay. All can see that there is an influence at work in the family that affects the children, and that the God of Abraham is with them. If the homes of professed Christians had a right religious mold, they would exert a mighty influence for good. They would indeed be the ‘light of the world.’” Adventist Home, p. 36
“One well-ordered, well-disciplined family tells more in behalf of Christianity than all the sermons that can be preached.” Ibid., p. 32
“The mission of the home extends beyond its own members. The Christian home is to be an object lesson, illustrating the excellence of the true principles of life.” Ibid., p. 31
“The well-being of society, the success of the church, the prosperity of the nation, depend upon home influences.” Ibid., p. 15
I believe that the purpose of the family is an important concept to keep in mind. We need to remember that our family as a unit is a teacher. The pupils are the world, the universe, even the angels. If we were to take a student evaluation today, what would it look like?
“Let only pleasant words be spoken by parents to their children, and respectful words by children to their parents. Attention must be given to these things in the home life; for if, in their character building, children form right habits, it will be much easier for them to be taught by God and to be obedient to His requirements.”
The Adventist Home, 437
“While there are weighty responsibilities devolving upon the parents to guard carefully the future happiness and interests of their children, it is also their duty to make home as attractive as possible. This is of far greater consequence than to acquire estates and money.
Home must not lack sunshine. The home feeling should be kept alive in the hearts of the children, that they may look back upon the home of their childhood as a place of peace and happiness next to heaven. Then as they come to maturity, they should in their turn try to be a comfort and blessing to their parents.”
The Adventist Home, 21
“Administer the rules of the home in wisdom and love, not with a rod of iron. Children will respond with willing obedience to the rule of love. Commend your children whenever you can. Make their lives as happy as possible. . . . Keep the soil of the heart mellow by the manifestation of love and affection, thus preparing it for the seed of truth. Remember that the Lord gives the earth not only clouds and rain, but the beautiful, smiling sunshine, causing the seed to germinate and the blossom to appear. Remember that children need not only reproof and correction, but encouragement and commendation, the pleasant sunshine of kind words.”
Adventist Home, 18
“Children are the heritage of the Lord, and we are answerable to Him for our management of His property. The education and training of their children to be Christians is the highest service that parents can render to God. It is a work that demands patient labor—a lifelong, diligent, and persevering effort. By a neglect of this trust we prove ourselves unfaithful stewards…”
The Adventist Home, 268
The Adventist Home Educator 