This episode of “Home as Church” is part of a series on creating welcome at home, where we’re exploring ways we can use our homes to “awaken the palate and nourish the soul.”
If you haven’t listened to Episode 14 – I encourage you to head there first! We set up this episode and series there when we talked about beauty and worship.
The ideas of staying at home for church and “doing home church” have grown in the past few years. Now, scripture is clear that gathering together with other believers to hear teaching of scripture, to worship and practice communion among other vital practices cannot be forsaken, but our homes can also be a place of worship and welcome.
There are a few biblical principles that can guide us in using home as church, or in other words, making our homes a place of worship and fellowship.
Under the new covenant, our body is a temple.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”
We are commanded not to forsake gathering together.
After the pandemic, whatever you believe about what the church should have done, you cannot deny the effects of being isolated from other believers. And God has designed us for biblical fellowship – intentional relationship that brings us encouragement, support and accountability as we grow in our relationship with God and serve as He leads us in this world.
“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” – Hebrews 10:19
This passage is so powerful when you look at the language used here referencing the temple – it was a place where people could both draw close and were also kept out of the holiest of holies – the most intimate encounters with God. Where before Christ came, He designed temple life to remind us of His holiness and both invite us in, and keep us at a distance, under the new covenant in Christ, we are welcomed into a new level of intimacy with God.
In the morning when I rise, give me Jesus.
Throughout scripture, we see examples and encouragement to make time with God a priority, first thing in our day. While we may go through seasons in life when it seems impossible, starting the day with worship, reading the Bible, and prayer can set our hearts up to yield to God’s leading, and can set our days up to be about His business.
Psalm 139:1-4 says, “O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.”
Psalm 143:8 reminds us, “Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.”
Psalm 5:3 says, “O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.”
Welcome strangers.
God has called believers to interact intentionally with our neighbors (literal and figurative) who do not know Christ. In some way, He also has offered opportunities to interact supernaturally when we open our lives to intentional connection even with those we don’t know.
Hebrews 13:2 instructs, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”
Proverbs 31 shows us a rich description of all the ways this exemplary woman cares for her home – producing food, caring for the linens, welcoming those in need, making things beautiful. Not in a guilt-inducing way, but rather as a beautiful picture of freedom, we see God’s given His blessing to our seeking to bless others and glorify Him, as we steward our earthly homes.
In a future episode we’ll talk about how church can be like home, and how we can intentionally live the inviting life through our church life. But for now, here are some ways we can apply these biblical principles as we invest time and resources in using our homes as “church,” in a sense, seeking to worship Him and practice biblical hospitality, for the sake of the kingdom.
Spend personal time with God.
One way we can make daily time with God a habit is by creating a “devotional corner” or prayer closet. Here are some things I love having in my little reading basket (because a prayer corner isn’t always feasible in a tiny home). 🙂
- A basket or bin to hold the things you use most often
- A comfy chair (I often curl up on the corner of the leather sofa passed down from my parents)
- Light – a window or reading light (and I love this book light, too!)
- Blanket and/or scent (I love cedarwood, lavender, eucalyptus and/or citrus oils from Hopewell Oils)
- water/hot drink
- “Notepad of distraction” – this is just a small notepad where you can jot down to-do’s and distracting thoughts so you can get back to study
Create a Morning Routine to help you need to think less and get into meaningful time with God more easily.
- My email course A Grace-filled Beginning is a great free resource you can use to help you with planning your days intentionally!
- Do what you can the night before, and minimize your mornings.
- Tim Challies and Reagan Rose are great sources of help to me in planning (see resource list below for book recommendations).
- See episodes 11-12 (links below) on How to Read the Bible and Really Get It, and How to Read the Bible and Love It.
Fellowship with other believers.
Here are some tips to help you intentionally foster fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ, in your home and everyday life.
- Host coffee – a simple gathering that doesn’t require much prep, it’s a great way to get connected to a fellow believer (or a few).
- Have someone help with a task – this is something that can bless you both! You might want to do this with a project you’ve been working on and even something you both want to do to serve others.
- Host a small group – either for a short time or an extended period, choose a regular gathering time and a topic for discussion or book of the Bible. This can also be a one-time gathering to lower the commitment level as you get started.
- Have a “private quarters” and a public space. It’s ok to have a spot that’s not open to others, to save yourself time and energy if you want to invite more often or off-the-cuff. Pick one or two spaces in your home that are always “guest ready” and even try to do a quick pick-up mid-day or in the evening.
- Have a wing-man. Grab a friend (and especially if that friend has different gifts from you!) and ask her to help you host.
Welcome “strangers” – neighbors or acquaintances outside the body of believers (like friends who don’t know Jesus yet).
- Consider a prayer group. Even if you’re modeling what prayer looks like, you are still blessing neighbors and giving them an opportunity to consider spiritual things.
- Host a lighthearted gathering. With no agenda, an afternoon of nail painting, crafting or baking can form connections that open the door to deeper, more intentional friendships.
- Clear your schedule, or look for ways to combine activities. You may need to be very intentional about creating space in your calendar to be available for gathering opportunities.
- Be creative. What things do you have in common with acquaintances and neighbors?
- Raise your hopes and lower your expectations. God is the one who changes hearts and minds, but He has invited you into the process. Be courageous, and just open the door!
- Be PATIENT. Friendships take time. God’s work in lives takes time. Just keep showing up and see what He might do!
- Be Interruptible (see Episode 5). Scheduling is good, but not if it is more important than “people-ing.” Living the inviting life sometimes means we set aside our plans to be available to others.
RESOURCES:
- My free email course: A Grace Filled Beginning
- Tim Challies: “Help, I’ve Fallen Behind on My Bible Readings”
- Reagan Rose: Morning Routine Planner
EPISODES MENTIONED:
- Fast and Fun Gathering Ideas (episode 10)
- How to Read the Bible and Really Get it
- How to Read the Bible and Love It
- Be Interruptible (episode 5)
- Recipes for Hospitality (episode 6)
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