Lesson 7-Leading In Protecting The Home

Satan is not content to let our homes be a haven of rest from evil influences. He uses many different avenues to tempt families away from God. Worldly neighbors and relatives, bad friends, unwholesome printed material, and enticing technology all can bring snares to our families. There is also the possibility of evil within the family circle affecting our children.

All of these pressures call us to faithful alertness to protect ourselves and our families. We must be communicating with our children and know what is going on in their lives. We are called to teach them holiness and righteousness and then make sure that they are following our teaching.

Proverbs 22:24-25

Be not a friend to an angry man, and do not walk with a furious man: Lest perhaps thou learn his ways, and take scandal to thy soul.

1Corinthians 15:33

Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

How does being a part of a Parish affect family friendships?
Discuss some practical ways parents should be involved in their children’s friendships.

Psalms 97:10

Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.

Psalms 101:3

I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.

Titus 1:15-16

All things are clean to the clean: but to them that are defiled, and to unbelievers, nothing is clean: but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. They profess that they know God: but in their works they deny him; being abominable, and disobedient, and to every good work reprobate.

What are some avenues that Satan uses to expose our families to evil?
How much exposure to evil should parents consider normal? Is some expo-sure to today’s evils a part of their maturing process?
What can we do to direct our children’s minds toward purity? What is wrong when they get a bad meaning out of an otherwise good statement?
How should families relate to visiting ungodly relatives who have unfit movies, unfit television, and unfit computer games, etc? Or family reunions where there is an over indulgence in drinking, and licentious behaviour?

Contrast the family stories of Eli and Job. Notice the difference in the parents. Eli apparently took a soft approach to his sons wickedness. He spoke to them about it but never really restrained them. Job rose up early in the morning and prayed for his children. He was concerned that they might be tempted that day to indulge in sin.

1Samuel 3:12-13

In that day I will raise up against Eli all the things I have spoken concerning his house: I will begin, and I will make an end. For I have foretold unto him, that I will judge his house for ever, for iniquity, because he knew that his sons did wickedly, and did not chastise them.

Job 1:5

And when the days of their feasting were gone about, Job sent to them, and sanctified them: and rising up early offered holocausts for every one of them. For he said: Lest perhaps my sons have sinned, and have blessed God in their hearts. So did Job all days.

How do concerned parents respond to challenges facing their family?
What is the value of praying for our children.

Ezekiel 18:30

Therefore will I judge every man according to his ways, O house of Israel, saith the Lord God. Be converted, and do penance for all your iniquities: and iniquity shall not be your ruin.

How much iniquity can be in our homes until we face ruin?
What should we do if we realize some evil has a foothold in our home?

It has been said that, “Idleness is the devil’s workshop.” One of the ways to help our children develop godly lives and pursue good things is to teach them to enjoy work and being productive. Regular chores teach responsibility and faithfulness. Helping care for younger siblings and doing household chores help children learn the joy of sacrifice for the family.

What are some values of chores for children?
What are some options for a family that has little for the children to do?
What is a balance of work and play for children. How much work is too much?
What blessings can be realized when a son learns a trade beside his father, a daughter learns housekeeping at home with her mother?

What are some practical ways to guard our children’s exposure with cell phones?
How should families relate to neighbor children who come over to play with their children?
How should parents relate to the mailbox, computers, magazines, and newspapers?
What are some things in every day home life that parents should think about to protect the purity of their children?
How does a parent know where the balance is in requiring accountability without being unduly suspicious?