It was such a blessing to have Tiffany from Finish with Joy join us for our Epic HSN Mom’s Night Out and share her wisdom on ways that moms can create a life-giving home.

Tiffany is married to Kendrix, a passionate disciple of Jesus and her best friend. Together, they share the joys and challenges of home educating their ten (10!) children: seven sons and three daughters, ranging from ages 1 to 23. They have been a homeschool family since 2006, and three of their ten children have gone on to thrive in college.

Tiffany invites us to redefine the term “home,” moving beyond the physical space in which we dwell. As a homemaker, Tiffany has created a home in which the Gospel is on display every day. She views the home as a sanctuary for her family, a place of refuge in which they feel embraced, appreciated, and accepted. A life-giving home is one that brings the family closer to the Lord and creates an opportunity for others – neighbors, friends, extended family – to know the Lord as well.

As we think about cultivating a life-giving home, we should ask ourselves, “What do we want our children to remember about our home?”

In this mini Bible study, Tiffany shares her “seven pillars of a life-giving home.” These include: Truth, Worship, Love, Discipleship, Boundaries, Honor, and Encouragement/Affirmation.

Pillar #1: Truth

Our homes are the foundations of Truth. Jesus guides us towards his Truth through His teachings, and it gives us the strength and knowledge we need to navigate any challenge we face. His Truth permeates our lives. It is a devotion we practice throughout the day, every day.

Pillar #2: Worship

Worship and communing with God is woven throughout our home, present in our words, our activities, our behaviors. Worship isn’t a compartmentalized activity that takes place in church once a week. To Worship is to celebrate our love for Jesus throughout our day, every day. “Just as two bankers living together do not make a bank, two or more Christians living together does not make a Christian home. The exchange that happens in a bank or in a home defines the place. A daily family Worship centers the Christian home upon Christ.”

Pillar #3: Love

True love is Biblical love; it is self-sacrificial. As mothers, we are not strangers to self-sacrificial love. At times, it may feel that these sacrifices will overwhelm us, becoming more than we can bear. We remind ourselves that Jesus gave the ultimate sacrifice because he genuinely loved us. In return, he expects us to give more of ourselves. He walks beside us and provides us the strength to endure our burdens.  

Pillar #4: Discipleship and Accountability

For us to be true disciples of Christ, we must use the Bible to guide us in all that we do. This means we keep the Word of God before ourselves. We use the Word as our framework, weaving in teachable moments throughout the day so that our children learn to view the world around them through the Bible’s lens. How we speak, behave, and treat and serve others inside the home is guided by Christ’s teachings. We hold our children and ourselves accountable to the Word, just as God holds us accountable to His Word.

Pillar #5: Boundaries

Biblical parenting is not about raising “nice” or “polite” children; it is about raising children who reflect the character, the ways, and the nature of Christ. Christ has standards for how we conduct ourselves, and the boundaries we create for our children reflect His expectations of us. When our children push these boundaries, it becomes an opportunity for us to return to Christ’s teachings.  

Pillar #6: Honor

Honoring our spouse is honoring God and the blessing He has placed upon your marriage and your household. Speaking well of our husbands, in their presence and their absence is a practice that will strengthen family bonds and help our children achieve healthy marriages in the future. Differences of opinion are private conversations – away from children and others outside of the marriage – and should be handled with discretion, kindness, and respect.

Pillar #7: Encouragement/Affirmations

Affirmations are a key pillar in growing healthy, thoughtful, loving children who abide by values that please the Lord. Affirmations are highly effective at encouraging desirable behaviors and cultivating traits that reflect Christ. While discipline is a necessary component to teaching boundaries, it needs to be balanced with healthy doses of affirmation as well. Verbalizing positive character traits, providing praise, and rewarding good deeds will encourage your children to continue following in His footsteps.

There were many takeaways from the session. However, one that stands out is that Jesus requires more of us because there is still so much more for us to give. He will provide us with the strength to carry on. So continue to have faith in yourself as you move forward in your homeschooling journey!

Those who attended said, “this has been great,” and “I enjoyed this tonight.”

Tiffany incorporated many Bible verses into the session, but we chose one to wrap up this lovely evening:

John 15:1-10

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in Me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in His love.”

John 15:1-10

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Your Homeschool Helper, LLC. exists to eliminate information overload & curriculum confusion by providing coaching for homeschool parents. You get personalized solutions so that you can homeschool with clarity & confidence.

To gain more of Tiffany’s homeschooling wisdom and insight, be sure to visit her website https://finishwithjoy.com/yourhomeschoolhelper