Building a Family Altar

In a powerful exploration of spiritual parenting and personal devotion, we're confronted with a sobering reality: less than 20% of Christian families maintain what Scripture calls a 'family altar'—a dedicated time and space where families gather to encounter God together. This message draws from the rich biblical tradition of building altars, from Noah's first act after the flood to Abraham's practice of constructing altars wherever he pitched his tent. The central passage from Deuteronomy 6:4-9 commands us not just to love God with all our heart, soul, and might, but to teach His words diligently to our children—when we sit at home, walk by the way, lie down, and rise up. We're reminded that our children aren't asking for celebrities at the dinner table; they simply want Mom and Dad. They desire our time, our wisdom, and our faith. The message challenges us to recognize that while we've become excellent at delegating—music lessons, sports training, even spiritual education to Sunday School—we cannot delegate the responsibility God has given us to nurture our children's souls. With the last days upon us and a generation facing unprecedented spiritual deception through technology, entertainment, and cultural pressure, our children need to be armored with unshakable faith rooted in God's Word. The question isn't whether we have time, but whether we understand what's at stake: the eternal destiny of the precious souls entrusted to our care.