Heaven in the home

To have Heaven in our home is to have holy and happy homes. Our homes should be havens from the outside world where we can be connected with God and each other. Sadly, homes are not always like this and it’s always been an issue. Ephesians 5 reveals how we can reject the fakes that promise happiness and pursue what’s real and what leads to heaven in our homes.

Scripture

Ephesians 5:15-21 ESV Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Bible Study Questions

If we are who we , we should act like it

The preceding verses made it clear that Christians should think and believe totally differently to the way the world does. It calls us to take this different state of mind and act accordingly. If we’re in the light we should behave like it. Who is wise and who is unwise in the context of this passage.

Ephesians 5:15 ESV Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,

Ephesians 5:14 ESV for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

For a limited time only (Promptness)

When a good product sells for a low price, it’s usually for a limited time only. Building on this idea, we’re urged to make the best of our short time on earth to live for God and His Kingdom. This verse introduces the principle of promptness. Doing God’s will promptly makes the best of our opportunities to finish His work, but also creates the best environment to live in. How would our home life be influenced by less procrastination and more promptness in doing God’s will?

Ephesians 5:16 ESV making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

Psalms 90:11-12 ESV Who considers the power of your anger, and your wrath according to the fear of you? 12 So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.

Choose and chase what’s real (Priority)

There is so much competition for our time, and so many options that promise to fulfil our needs. Often the most fake and useless imitations seem to work the best, for a while. The second principle is priorities. Prioritising what’s important rather than what’s urgent helps us to make the most of our time and makes the time we have the best it can be. How do we determine God’s will so that we can prioritise the right things in our homes and everywhere else?

Ephesians 5: 17 ESV Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Matthew 7:7-8 ESV “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. [8] For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.

Substitutes are weak and worthless (Power)

The Holy Spirit uses the example of drunkenness as one of the weak and worthless substitutes which promise to help but are a waste of time. What are some of the things that intoxication promise that only the Holy Spirit can deliver, and what is the secret to having power to achieve everything God has designed us for?

Ephesians 5:18 ESV And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,

Galatians 5:19-23 ESV Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

How to be filled: By Worship

Loud conversation and song are seldom far away when we’re under the control of alcohol. It promises us carefree community - but delivers little that lasts. How can talking and signing about God’s goodness put us under His control and give us power?

Ephesians 5:19 ESV addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,

Acts 16:25-26 ESV About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, 26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened.

How to be filled: By Gratitude (Prayer)

The principle of prayer only appears after the other three in this text, but it’s probably the most important. This verse combines prayer (giving deliberate detailed thanks) with gratitude to God for the work of Jesus Christ. What do we always have to be grateful for, regardless of our circumstances?

Ephesians 5:20 ESV giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

John 3:16-18 ESV “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. [18] Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

How to be filled: By Submission

We pursue the control and power of God’s beloved Holy Spirit by submitting to God’s will for us and submitting to others. Submitting to the needs of others, putting them first makes for a heavenly home. How are submitting to God’s will and submitting to others linked according to the final verse?

Ephesians 5:21 ESV submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Matthew 25:37-40 ESV Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’