One of my earliest discoveries in active pastoring is that many evil/bad experiences and challenges people face, especially in marriages and homes can actually be avoided. These experiences and challenges are on the increase because of the times.
“…the days are evil.” Eph.5:16
“And of the children of the sons of Issachar which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do…” 1Chron.12:32a.
In these times and generation, MENTORING, DISCIPLESHIP through genuine and sincere relationship of mutual accountability, openness is a must and has become a necessity. This truth is scripturally founded. However, before I take you into scriptures, I discovered that all professional training such as MEDICINE, ENGINEERING, LAW, ACCOUNTING etc, actually lay emphasis on this though it’s usually called by different names. Genuine impact or impartation is actually done through MENTORING, DISCIPLESHIP, a relationship based training or learning process. Coming to the mandate of our Master, Jesus, it was to make disciples (Mt.28:18-19) (not just to gather or convert people) like He did with the twelve, no wonder they became instruments that turned the world upside down. (Acts 17:6) Christians that are not disciple or mentored usually end up being bad representatives of Christ and His kingdom, so also MEN and WOMEN that are not mentored, DISCIPLED end up messing up the HOME FRONT, dealing with issues almost through their life time that could have been avoided.
“But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine.” Titus 2:1
Sound doctrine will produce sound homes, lives, men, women, husbands, fathers, wives, mothers and children.
“That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
That the aged women like wise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things. That they teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands that the word of God be nor blasphemed.
Young men like wise exhort to be sober minded
In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech, that cannot be condemned that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.” Titus 2:2-8.
This is God’s prescribed pattern to raise the kind of people (men & women) that can raise the kind of homes that will produce godly offsprings to the glory of God. Through this pattern of the matured in God, discipling the upcoming ones in life and home affairs, some of these things happen.
What is lacking in your faith is added to complete or make you whole. 1 Thess.3:10 and this is done through face to face interaction, and observation. This cannot be done by just reading books, listening to tapes, attending programmes (please they all have their place and are necessary ingredients).
What needs to be added to what you already have is added. “And besides this, giving diligence, add to your faith virtue and to virtue knowledge… Wherefore the rather, brethren give all diligence to make your calling and election sure, for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.” 2 Peter 5:10.
Here is my careful authoritative conclusion. GODLY HOME TRAINING is a must for everyone. Anyone who is able to start a HOME and if you never had one, it’s not too late. This has nothing to do with qualification, status, age, experiences or background but positive, proper attitude to truth that confronts you.
The ideal aged men and women may be scarce but there are, because God will never leave Himself without a remnant and your willingness to go through the process of being MENTORED or DISCIPLED by an older genuine Christian couple adds to the number that will be available for the next generation. Which actually is a plus for God and a minus for satan. Please note that I have checked carefully. This pattern doesn’t have a substitute or alternative. What I am saying now is more than premarital counseling (which even many take for granted) but a relationship that goes into the early years of marriage.
Once God has spoken, twice I have heard in Jesus’ name.
