The Family Channel

by Pastor David Ferranti
Senior Pastor, Bay Valley Christian Church

“How do we raise a ‘G’ rated family in an ‘R’ rated world?” I believe it is very do-able, but certain principles and practices must be put into place in order to develop a happy, holy, and humble home.

Think back with me for a moment to how media has changed the scope of the family through television. In the 50’s, we had “I Love Lucy” and “Leave it to Beaver.” In the 60’s and 70’s, we had “The Brady Bunch” and “Happy Days.” In the 80’s, we had “The Cosby Show” and “Full House.” By the 90’s, we had shows like “Married with Children,” “The Simpson’s,” and “Roseanne.” And today, television gives us the “Family Guy” and “Two and a Half Men.”

Now, if you noticed – clear up through the 1980’s there was always at least a remnant of shows that shared family values we could model our homes after. But by the time we got to the 90’s, it became more difficult to watch TV with our families and find a “good role model.” And now today, most every show has a skewed perspective on the family. In fact, the “Family Guy” has taken to advertising itself as a “G-Rated” show. The “G” they say, stands for “Grown Up.” In reality, of course, the show is less about being “Grown up” than it is about being infantile and offensive.

Because media is displaying the dysfunctional family as normal and healthy, many families are growing accustomed to thinking this is normal. However, God did not intend for the family unit to be disconnected, argumentative, and dysfunctional. As Christians, our objective is to become more and more like Jesus because we are part of the family of God. When people look at us…they should see a family resemblance.

Let me ask you a few questions. Do you take communion in your home? Do you pray together as a family? Do you testify and speak the Word in your house? Have you consecrated your home to the Lord?

Remember, this world is not our home and ultimately, it has nothing to offer us. Jesus put it fairly harshly: “For what shall it profit a man (or his children, or his grandchildren, or great grandchildren, or his nephews and nieces), if (they) shall gain the whole world, and lose (their) souls?” Mark 8:36

A healthy home is a home centered on Jesus Christ. If Jesus is not the Lord of you and your family’s lives, than all is for naught.

I encourage you today; make serving the Lord your top priority. Set the spiritual temperature of your home; don’t allow the world to influence it.

Reference: Raising A G-Rated Family In An R-Rated World by Jeff Strite