Our homes are where we spend most of our time, making them the central place where Christ is at the center of our lives. It is where we eat, sleep, live, and form relationships with others. This article explores different approaches to infuse the essence of Christ into your home, including physical, relational, spiritual, and personal aspects. I hope this article serves as a call to transform our familiar homes into sacred sanctuaries.
Incorporating God into Design
To honor Christ physically in your home, consider specific ways to bring visual imagery into your space through physical items and layout changes.
1. Displaying your living space with items that celebrate your faith will serve as an intimate and constant reminder of your dedication to yourself and others. Consider something as subtle as a serene artwork depicting a scene from the Bible or a meaningful Bible verse carved above the door. These touches radiate tranquility and welcome and can turn your home into a sanctuary for spiritual reflection. You can check out some free samples here and here.
2. The placement of these framed Bible verses and images is just as important as the placement of them. The end of the hallway, above the kitchen sink, on either side of the garage door entrance, and even above the toilet in the bathroom are all great places. Place it in a prominent or frequent location so you can see it again and again.
3. Visually encourage prayer and meditation by incorporating Christ motifs into your aesthetic design. Create a designated area for prayer, decorated with psalms and prayer quotes from the Church Fathers and early Christians. Decorate your open Bible with bookmarks and journal entries so you have space to pray whenever you need it. If you need a good prayer quote, start with the quotes below.
“For prayer is not only a request for what we need, but also a thanksgiving for what we have received and a hymn to the glory of God.” — John Chrysostom
“Prayer is not a asking; it is a yearning of the soul, a desire for only what God is ready to give.” — St. Augustine of Hippo
bound book of faith
Our collection of Christian literature, from the Bible to the writings of Christian scholars, enriches homes with wisdom and encourages open discussion about faith and spirituality. A well-separated library space will facilitate access to these stories and encourage engagement with the Word and its teachings.
1. Bookshelves and displayed books are great conversation starters. Take a cue from small bookstores that strategically place specific books, authors, and subjects in prominent locations to grab people’s attention. You can do the same. Consider including a few books on prayer, the identity of Jesus, the church as a community, Bible history books, commentaries, and even popular books on Biblical subjects (if you don’t already have one, start by getting one). This not only provides a personal library to refer to and explore, but also communicates your faith and desire to follow God to your guests.
2. Consider starting or joining a book club with fellow Christians, colleagues, or church members. By exchanging books, you can gain a fresh perspective from reading that you wouldn’t normally choose. This can lead to new ideas, habits, and meaningful interactions within your family that you might not have brought with you otherwise. Why not gather a select few together and dig deep into this book while enjoying a good cup of coffee, a refreshing beer, or some delicious food?
3. Choose a Bible introductory book or commentary on your favorite Bible book to add to your study time. Make sure the book is large enough and advanced enough that you won’t be able to finish it in a few weeks. As you gain more insight into how the Bible was written and your favorite books, you become more of a teacher than just a reader or knower. You will talk about what you have learned to others, including others in your home. Add to the conversation over dinner, write something on a sticky note and post it somewhere in your house, and have a “Fun Fact Friday” about what you learned.
Here are some books to add to your collection.
Warren Wiersbe Northern Territory Bible Commentary – A great resource that explains almost every passage in the Northern Territory in an easy and memorable way. There is also OT!
The Book That Made Your World by Vishal Mangalwadi details the impact of the Bible on the world.
General Introduction to the Bible – A classic, comprehensive guide that goes far beyond an introductory book.
Forgive Me, Written by Timothy Keller
Eating with Jesus by Tim Chester – A simple book about the power of food.
The Gospel Comes with a House Key, by Rosalia Butterfield.
Finally, if you’re interested, I’ve written four books myself covering topics from Heaven to Biblical Paradoxes to the Holy Spirit to Identity and Sexuality. You can find all of these on my website: paperbacktheologian.com/books. I hope you have a copy on your bookshelf!
If you have any book recommendations, please feel free to email us at kile@paperbacktheologian.com.
interpersonal inspiration
The interpersonal aspect is fundamental to a home that honors Christ and applies not only to those who live with us, but also to those who visit. By adopting these practices, you can foster friendships with your guests, inspire your friends to become followers of Christ, and encourage other Christians to adopt these practices in their homes with your guests.
1. Praying together before meals and taking time to express gratitude is a simple but profound way to cultivate abundance and wholeness. Everyone has to eat, and most people eat at least three meals a day. This is three times a day that we must thank God, ask about each other’s days, and remember that God is the one who provides. This ritual is a communal recognition of God’s providence, a thread that unites all present and connects them to something greater.
2. Interact with guests visiting your home by asking them about their prayer needs. Most people are used to praying before meals, during special occasions, or in times of crisis, but taking the initiative to ask others how you can pray before you leave shows them that you see them, hear them, and genuinely care. Even people who do not adhere to a particular religious belief system often face difficulties in life, but it is rare for people to refuse prayer if they believe it will bring them comfort. Before you leave (not at the door) ask, “How should I pray this week?”
3. For those who live together, creating a tradition in the evening or morning in which each family member prays, blesses, and affirms one another in Christ strengthens the bonds of faith. It fosters a culture of mutual respect and empathy, which influences how the family unit deals with the outside world. On a personal note, one of the ways I put this into practice is by constantly sharing a daily message with my son. Every morning when I drop him off at school, I tell him, “Today, be like Christ to everyone.” And every night before he goes to bed, I say to him: “Son, I think you are a wonderful child. I am grateful to be your father, and I look forward to watching you grow into the person God will help you become.” These routines and rhythms will help instill Christ in the people in your home.
proof of unity
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/monkeybusinessimages
There is no substitute for God’s Word. No amount of positive affirmation, attention, listening, or time spent together can replace the supernatural effect of God’s Word in the home. The Spirit of God enables us to mature and edify our faith through reading the Bible in a way that human activity cannot.
1. Create a simple reading plan that everyone can follow. Perhaps one chapter a day of the story of Jesus, Paul, or David, or one chapter a week around a theme. Add charm to this collective habit by assigning each area of your home as a personal reading nook. Encourage them to share their insights and questions. This is where faith gives shape to one’s understanding. Have them read alone during the week, then ask them questions about the Bible or stories you’re reading together at dinner time.
2. Most people deplore technology to some extent, but you can use it to your advantage. When you can’t go to church (research shows most people attend church in person less than twice a month), stream church services from home or join an online community to discuss the sermon and connect with fellow believers. Participating in these digital services expands the physical and spiritual reach of your home and helps you bridge distance with your faith. This will help your family understand that church is a priority, even if you can’t be there in person. In my opinion, this is not a habit to develop, but rather a tool to be used sparingly. There is no substitute for gathering in person.
3. Living now costs a lot of money. But discussions about finances and the allocation of resources to churches and charities, regardless of our circumstances, are conversations centered around principles of stewardship and generosity. Seeing the tangible impact of your financial decisions on community projects and church initiatives deepens your understanding that the home is a microcosm of society as a whole in which the teachings of Christ resonate. This means taking a personal inventory of your finances, creating a budget if you don’t have one, and being a great steward of all that God has entrusted to you. Talk to your children, spouse, or roommate about giving back to God for all the evidence you have of God.
Culmination: Domestic regulations
Placing Christ at the center of family life is a spiritual and holistic commitment. By connecting your faith with your physical environment, personal devotional time, and interpersonal relationships, you can create a home that is more than just a structure, but a living embodiment of your faith and its values. Most people don’t break into someone’s home and be rude or gross, but organizing your home to honor Christ can deter those who do. But beyond bad behavior, setting an atmosphere of drawing closer to Christ daily, weekly, and when guests come in will prepare your home to reflect Christ to anyone there.
The richness of this effort lies in the simplicity of these actions. They do not require major acts or sacrifices, but daily efforts to infuse spiritual vitality into our lives by strengthening our faith in various ways. In doing so, we can open not only our homes but our hearts to the enduring grace of Christ.
In your quest to transform your home into a Christ home, bookmark this article and take on the 90-day Christ home makeover challenge. Practice at least three of the habits listed above and notice how they affect you, your family, and the guests in your home. As you begin to see small changes in your home, come back and test the rest and continue to give Christ everything you do.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Maria Korneeva
Kyle Baker is a former atheist who never intended to become a Christian, let alone a pastor, but now writes to make Christianity easier to understand. Kyle recently wrote a study guide to help people “look forward to heaven and look forward to it.” You can purchase it on Amazon here. He also writes at www.paperbacktheologian.com. Kyle is a grateful husband to the incredibly talented Rachel, an energetic dad from London, an exuberant Emma, and co-lead pastor of LifePoint Church in Northern Nevada. He runs a local coffee shop all by himself.
