As For Me and My House
14 Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. 15 And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. - Joshua 24:14-15
The Burning Question
Is As for Me and My House a slogan or a way of life?
Five Jewish Traditions
1. Teaching the Shema Daily
The Shema (meaning "hear" in Hebrew) is central to Jewish faith and identity. It’s taken directly from Scripture:
4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. - Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Historical Details:
The Shema was Israel’s foundational declaration, affirming that there is one God who deserves wholehearted love and devotion.
How they practiced this:
Jewish families recited the Shema twice every day—once in the morning and once in the evening.
Fathers had the responsibility to teach their children this prayer as soon as they could speak, ensuring children internalized their faith early.
2. Writing God’s Word on Doorposts (Mezuzah)
Jewish homes literally embedded God’s Word into their daily comings and goings:
“You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” - Deuteronomy 6:9
Historical Details
The Mezuzah contained parchment scrolls inscribed by trained scribes, placed inside decorative cases on doorposts.
Every entrance and exit from the home reminded the family and visitors of their allegiance to God, symbolizing that their home was dedicated entirely to Him.
How they practiced this:
Families attached a small parchment scroll containing the Shema passage (Deut. 6:4-9; 11:13-21) in a decorative case known as a mezuzah to the doorposts of their home entrances.
Each time family members entered or exited their home, they would often touch or even kiss the mezuzah as a tangible reminder of God’s presence, His covenant, and their commitment to serve Him alone.
3. Sabbath Observance
The Sabbath (Shabbat) was God’s commandment for rest, reflection, and worship:
8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. - Exodus 20:8-11
Historical Details:
The Sabbath, observed from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday, was one of the clearest expressions of faithfulness to God.
Families ceased work, lighting candles, sharing special meals, praying, and studying Scripture together.
How they practiced this:
On Friday evening, the family gathered together. The mother typically lit Sabbath candles and recited blessings, ushering in a sense of peace, rest, and gratitude for God’s provision.
A special meal was prepared and shared by the entire family, beginning with a blessing over wine ("Kiddush") and bread ("Challah").
No regular labor or commerce was performed during this day. Instead, families worshipped together, studied Scripture, prayed, and rested, deliberately prioritizing God and family.
4. Family Prayer and Blessings
Blessings and prayers were woven throughout daily life as sacred moments of communication and affirmation:
“The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” - Numbers 6:24-26
Historical Details:
Fathers regularly pronounced blessings over their children, believing in the spiritual power of spoken words.
It became customary on Sabbath evenings and special occasions, creating a deep, lasting spiritual bond within the family.
How they practiced this:
Fathers regularly laid hands upon their children to impart blessings, speaking words of life, protection, and spiritual favor over them.
This practice typically occurred on Sabbath evenings, but also during key life events (birthdays, marriages, significant milestones).
5. Community Worship and Synagogue Involvement
Jewish faith was deeply community-oriented; regular participation at synagogue worship provided spiritual and relational nourishment:
“And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day.” - Luke 4:16
46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. - Acts 2:46-47
Historical Details:
Synagogues were the spiritual and community centers for Jewish towns, where Scripture was publicly read, discussed, and applied to daily life. Families regularly participated, strengthening their connection with God and their broader spiritual community.
How they practiced this:
Synagogues were established as places for gathering, learning, reading of Scripture, communal prayer, and teaching. They acted as central spiritual hubs within villages and towns.
Families attended synagogue services regularly, particularly on the Sabbath. During these gatherings, Scripture from the Torah (first five books of the Bible) and Prophets were read, interpreted, and discussed.
Worship was deeply communal. Families saw synagogue attendance not merely as a religious duty, but as a central component of their spiritual formation, and essential in passing faith to the next generation.
Bringing These Traditions to Our Home
1. Daily Scripture (Shema)
Practical Step:
Choose a simple, meaningful Bible verse to memorize and recite together as a family each day at breakfast or bedtime.
Regularly repeating truth helps shape a Christ-centered home culture.
2. God’s Word Visible (Mezuzah)
Practical Step:
Choose a Scripture verse or short passage that represents your family’s spiritual identity and purpose.
Frame and hang it visibly near your front door, as a constant reminder that your home belongs to God.
Intentional Living: Daily reminders help your family consciously live according to biblical principles rather than simply drifting through life.
3. Sabbath Observance
Practical Step:
Intentionally designate one evening or a part of one day each week to pause as a family—no phones, no work—simply to enjoy a meal, share prayer requests, discuss Scripture briefly, and reconnect with God and one another.
4. Family Prayer and Blessings
Practical Step:
Set aside a specific weekly time (perhaps Sunday evenings or at bedtime) to intentionally speak words of affirmation and spiritual blessing over each child and family member.
Pray out loud, briefly and intentionally, inviting God’s goodness and protection into their lives.
5. Community Worship and Synagogue Involvement
Practical Step:
Prioritize consistent weekly participation in church worship and community events. Consider choosing one additional small-group gathering, Bible study, or family-oriented church activity to regularly attend, reinforcing a commitment to community and spiritual growth.
Reflective Questions
Which one of these five things will I start in my home immediatley?
How can I start to incorporate all the others over the course of the year?
What would my life, family, and home be like if we regularly did these things the rest of 2025?