You see, our children are very impressionable. And repetition is said to be the best teacher. Daily, our children see a movie on parenting, family relations, husband-wife relationships, friendships, how to have a relationship with God, courtesy, communications, handling problems, dealing with addictions, sharing and a host of other topics found in normal and not-so-normal families.

I have watched snippets of certain movies many times, but not daily. I can, by having seen various portions several times, repeat almost verbatim the lines from some particular scenes.

Think of what our children see and experience daily from the home movie they see and the impact it has upon them. Our children see how to be a parent. Our children see how to be a husband or wife. Our children see how to treat others. They experience the art of sharing or greed. They learn how to solve problems or run from them. They learn what good or poor communication habits are. They learn how to deal with alcohol and possibly other addictive substances. And more importantly, they see how the "stars" build and maintain a relationship with the God of the universe.

Often in counseling, a person has certain habits that he or she cannot understand. After discussion, we realize that he or she learned those behaviors in the home—and often by merely seeing an example of that behavior every day for 18 or 20 years. Once the person realizes where that habit came from, he or she is able to change the script.

No wonder our examples are so important (Matthew 5:16). Paul wrote to Titus (2:1-8) about the need for the older and younger members to be setting the proper examples for the Church family— "in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works" (verse 7). Paul speaks of being temperate, watching our words, having proper husband-wife relationships, being solid spiritually, loving and patient. Why? So that others may be benefited by our examples.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences may not give us an Oscar for our performances, but Jesus Christ wants to say to us: "Come you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world" (Matthew 25:34). And, in 2 Timothy 4:8 we read, "Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day." That is the great award we will receive if we fulfill our roles in a godly manner.

In addition, our children will learn from our home movie the skills, behaviors and examples by which to live happy, successful, godly lives. Bring on the popcorn!