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Building a God-Centered Home
Show: Contending for the Word Q&A with Dave Jenkins Author: Dave Jenkins Date: January 27, 2026Show Summary
Today’s Question: What does it mean to build a God-centered home?In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains how Christian families can build their homes on a foundation stronger than culture, convenience, or personal preference. Anchored in Joshua 24:15, this episode outlines five biblical pillars for shaping a Christ-centered home: Christ’s preeminence, Scripture as the foundation, prayer as a daily habit, grace and repentance in relationships, and faithful commitment to the local church.Listen (Audio)
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Key Scriptures
- Joshua 24:15
- Colossians 1:18
- Matthew 7:24–25
- Ephesians 4:32
Episode Highlights
- A God-centered home is not perfect, quiet, or conflict-free—but it is ordered by God’s Word.
- Christ must be preeminent in priorities, decisions, and daily rhythms.
- Scripture forms a stable foundation for family life.
- Prayer is a family lifeline, not merely an emergency button.
- Grace and repentance shape relationships and reflect the gospel daily.
- A God-centered home is tied to a local church centered on Christ.
Full Episode (Article/Transcript)
All right, everybody, welcome back to Contending for the Word Q&A. I’m your host, Dave Jenkins.Every home is built on something. Some families build around schedules, others build around comfort, achievement, sports routines, or even personal preference.But the Word of God calls Christians to build their homes on a foundation far stronger, far deeper, and far more lasting than anything this world can offer.The God-centered home is not a picture-perfect home. It is not a noise-free home. It’s not a conflict-free home. A God-centered home is a home ordered by the Word of God, shaped by the character of Christ, and strengthened by the presence of the Holy Spirit.So today’s question is: What does it mean to build a God-centered home?Now, this matters because the spiritual health of the family begins with who—or what—sits at the center.So let me reset. Let me ask the question again: What is Scripture calling families to prioritize, pursue, and practice so that God—not culture, not convenience—becomes the center of the home?The Bible gives us crystal clear direction here.Our anchor biblical text today is Joshua 24:15: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” And this is more than a slogan. It is a declaration of loyalty, priority, and identity.Here’s today’s essential truth: To build a God-centered home means placing Christ at the center of your priorities, practices, relationships, decisions, and daily rhythms.Let’s walk through these five pillars of a God-centered home.Pillar 1: A God-Centered Home Puts Christ First
Colossians 1:18 says that in everything He might be preeminent. This means Christ is the center of marriage. Christ is the anchor of parenting. Christ shapes the family calendar. Christ directs decisions. Christ governs attitudes and habits. A God-centered home starts by recognizing Christ’s Lordship over the entire household.Pillar 2: A God-Centered Home Builds on the Word of God
Matthew 7:24–25 describes the wise man who built on the rock. Families build on the rock today when they read the Word consistently together, talk about the Word naturally, apply Scripture intentionally, memorize Scripture together, and evaluate choices through the Word of God.A Bible-driven home becomes a Christ-shaped home.Pillar 3: A God-Centered Home Cultivates Prayer as a Daily Habit
Prayer is not an emergency button—it is a family lifeline. A God-centered home prays before meals, at bedtime, during conflict, for one another, for the church, for missionaries, and for wisdom in decisions. Prayer makes God’s presence visible in the home.Pillar 4: A God-Centered Home Practices Love, Grace, and Repentance
God-centered families are not perfect families, but they are quick to forgive, quick to listen, quick to repent, slow to anger, and eager to show grace.Ephesians 4:32 describes the tone of the Christ-shaped home: “Be kind, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” The God-centered home reflects the gospel daily.Pillar 5: A God-Centered Home Prioritizes the Local Church
You cannot build a God-centered home apart from the people of God. This means faithful Lord’s Day worship, learning under sound preaching, serving together as a family, building relationships in the church, and supporting one another in times of need.A home centered on God is always tied to a church centered on Christ.So what does it mean to build a God-centered home? It means Christ is first. Scripture is foundational. Prayer is normal and constant. Grace and repentance shape relationships. The church is essential, not optional.Christian families, hear this: your home is one of the greatest discipleship centers that God has entrusted to you. What you build into the rhythms of your home will shape the hearts of your children and strengthen your walk with Christ for years to come.Build on the rock. Build with the Word. Build with prayer. Fill with grace. Build with the church—and God will bless the home that centers its life on Him.Thank you for joining me on today’s episode of Contending for the Word Q&A. Please stand firm on the Word, cling to Christ, and let Him be the center of your home. God bless you and keep you, and I’ll see you next time.Takeaways / Reflection Questions
- What currently shapes the rhythms of your home most—Christ and His Word, or something else?
- Where do you need to reorder priorities so Christ is truly preeminent?
- What is one practical way your family can be more consistent in Scripture intake this week?
- How can prayer become more normal in your home (not only in crisis)?
- Where is God calling your household to grow in repentance, forgiveness, and grace?
- How is your family connected to and serving within the local church?
Call to Action
If this episode helped you, please share it with a friend, subscribe for more biblical Q&A, and leave a review to help others find this content.For more from Contending for the Word Q&A please visit our page at Servants of Grace or at our YouTube.
Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah. He is a writer, editor, and speaker living in beautiful Southern Oregon. Dave is a lover of Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology. He serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries, the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine, the Host and Producer of Equipping You in Grace Podcast, and is a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word. He is the author of The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age (G3 Press, 2022), and Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024). You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, or read his newsletter. Dave loves to spend time with his wife, going to movies, eating at a nice restaurant, or going out for a round of golf with a good friend. He is also a voracious reader, in particular of Reformed theology, and the Puritans. You will often find him when he’s not busy with ministry reading a pile of the latest books from a wide variety of Christian publishers. Dave received his M.A.R. and M.Div through Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
