“Our homes must be made a Bethel, our hearts a shrine. Wherever the love of God is cherished in the soul, there will be peace, there will be light and joy. Jesus wants to see happy marriages, happy firesides.”1

In the 1800’s, in the American context, the fireside was a central feature of home life, especially in an era before modern heating or electricity. It was where families gathered for warmth, light, and connection. Sister White uses the expression “by the fireside” to emphasize personal, relational, and spiritual engagement in a setting that her audience would instantly recognize as familiar and meaningful. So, for her, we could say, “by the fireside” isn’t just a physical location; it’s a symbol of closeness, trust, and opportunity for influence in order to instruct those of a household to live up to the light God has given His people and share it with everyone in the world. Now, having this in mind, let us consider our topic for today and learn from the different lessons we can get from God’s word and the pen of Inspiration.

During my childhood, even though my hometown was a cold place most of the year, we didn’t have a fireplace as such. But I remember that our home was a place where we could gather together as if we were “by the fireside” during worship time and other occasions and spend some moments praising the Lord and studying His word. Mom could share with us important life lessons that I still remember with love. She would follow the instruction found in Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” I can clearly see in my personal experience that those lessons were very important in helping me make decisions that would determine whether I would follow the Lord or not. I thank the Lord for His Word and the promises found in it.

“In childhood and youth the character is most impressible. The power of self-control should then be acquired. By the fireside and at the family board, influences are exerted whose results are as enduring as eternity. More than any natural endowment, the habits established in early years decide whether a man will be victorious or vanquished in the battle of life.”2

We hear of Abraham, his faith, his flaws but also of the work he did with the ones at home—and that includes the people that worked for him, his servants. He received a promise from God: “And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed” (Genesis 12:3). Why were all the families of the earth going to be blessed in him? Because through His connection with Christ, he set an example in obeying God’s voice, as we read in Genesis 26:5, “Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.” Not only that, but he was going to teach and instruct his family in the ways of the Lord who testified, “For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him” (Genesis 18:19). However, he was not alone in this undertaking. Sarah, his wife, was with him and they both did an excellent job “by the fireside” since they closely instructed everyone in their home as they journeyed to the land of promise: “Among these were many led by higher considerations than those of service and self-interest. During their stay in Haran, both Abraham and Sarah had led others to the worship and service of the true God. These attached themselves to the patriarch’s household, and accompanied him to the land of promise.”3 From Abraham and Sarah’s experience in working together for the kingdom of God, it’s clearly evident that both father and mother play an important role in educating their household in the ways of the Lord.

In my ministry, at different opportunities, while visiting families, I have participated in worship times with them “by the fireside” It is beautiful to observe the diligence and the effort parents make in order to have this important time as a family. It’s a blessing to be praying, praising, and reading together, setting aside a specific time to come together to worship our Lord and have in-depth conversations about spiritual things. Thus they are fulfilling their duty to lift up Emmanuel’s blood-stained banner against the darts of the enemy. It’s important to remember that the family is the best missionary field.

“Parents should talk to their little ones of Jesus, and of the plan of salvation. They should weave precious lessons of the life and character of Christ into their children’s minds that they may become the followers of Christ and heirs of eternal life. There is much talk of foreign missionary work, but the home work is neglected. The greatest mission field is right at your fireside, and the great need is that of fathers and mothers in Israel. When parents begin to realize the great responsibility that rests upon them, they will take up this home missionary work, and train their children for heaven. They will give their little ones line upon line, and precept upon precept.”4 “Our work for Christ is to begin with the family in the home. The education of the youth should be of a different order from that which has been given in the past. Their welfare demands far more labor than has been given them. There is no missionary field more important than this. By precept and example parents are to teach their children to labor for the unconverted. The children should be so educated that they will sympathize with the aged and afflicted and will seek to alleviate the sufferings of the poor and distressed. They should be taught to be diligent in missionary work; and from their earliest years self-denial and sacrifice for the good of others and the advancement of Christ’s cause should be inculcated, that they may be laborers together with God.

“But if they ever learn to do genuine missionary work for others, they must first learn to labor for those at home, who have a natural right to their offices of love. Every child should be trained to bear his respective share of service in the home. He should never be ashamed to use his hands in lifting home burdens or his feet in running errands. While thus engaged, he will not go into paths of negligence and sin. How many hours are wasted by children and youth which might be spent in taking upon their strong young shoulders, and assisting to lift, the family responsibilities which some one must bear, thus showing a loving interest in father and mother. They are also to be rooted in the true principles of health reform and the care of their own bodies.”5

Yet, “by many this home field has been shamefully neglected, and it is time that divine resources and remedies were presented, that this state of evil may be corrected. What excuse can the professed followers of Christ offer for neglecting to train their children to work for Him?”6

Dear parents, at home, our youth need special care since we see the evils of the world constantly increasing. “The giant evil of intemperance is doing its baleful work in our land. Satan has his agents everywhere, who are instruments in his hands, to allure and ruin our youth. Shall not the voice of warning be heard at our own fireside? Shall we not, by precept and example, lead our youth to desire to reach high attainments, to have noble aims and holy purposes? This work is not a light, or a small work; but it is a work that will pay. One youth who has been instructed by right home-training, will bring solid timbers into his character-building, and by his example and life, if his powers are rightly employed, he will become a power in our world to lead others upward and onward in the path of righteousness. The salvation of one soul is the salvation of many souls.”7

In the book Evangelism, for example, the Lord’s messenger makes the appeal: “To all who are working with Christ I would say, Wherever you can gain access to the people by the fireside, improve your opportunity. Take your Bible, and open before them its great truths.”8 Here, in working for the Lord, we are urged to meet people where they’re comfortable, in their homes, and use that intimate space to share faith. The fireside setting implies a relaxed, personal interaction, in contrast to formal sermons or public debates. A heart-to-heart approach is encouraged in spreading God’s message, which aligns with the broader emphasis on practical Christianity and personal ministry.

Another important appeal to those of us involved in the ministry and Bible work, “My brethren in the ministry, open your doors to young men who are exposed to temptation. Come near to them by personal effort. Evil invites them on every hand. Seek to interest them in that which will help them to live the higher life. Do not hold yourself aloof from them. Bring them to your fireside; invite them to join you around the family altar. Let us remember the claim of God upon us to make the path to heaven bright and attractive.”9

“I saw that ministers who labored in word and doctrine have a great work before them, and a heavy responsibility rests upon them. I saw that when they labor they do not come close enough to hearts. Their work is too general, and often too scattered. Their labor must be concentrated to the very ones they are laboring for. When they are preaching in the desk, their work is only commenced. They must then live out their preaching, ever guard themselves, that they bring not a reproach upon the cause of God. They should illustrate by example the life of Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:9. ‘For we are laborers together with God.’ 2 Corinthians 6:1. ‘We then as workers together with him beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.’ The minister’s work is not done when he leaves the desk. He should not then throw off the burden and occupy his mind with reading or writing, unless it is actually necessary; but should follow up his public labors by private efforts—laboring personally for souls whenever an opportunity presents—conversing around the fireside, beseeching and entreating souls in Christ’s stead to be reconciled to God. Our work here is soon to close, ‘and every man will receive his own reward according to his own labor.’ ”10

“It is this fireside effort, this home work, that is attended with signal success. Try it, brethren in the ministry. Some of our ministers do not love this kind of labor. They shun it. There is a cross attached to such personal efforts, but this is the labor the people must have if they embrace unpopular truth. In this close contact with souls who are in darkness, our light may shine more effectually, directly upon the darkness, and they will see by our deportment, our conversation, our solemn yet cheerful, courteous manners, that the grace of God is with us, and that the peace of heaven is brought into their homes. They will be charmed with the truth which is attended with such blessed results.”11

The following quote is part of the remarks addressed to the ministers assembled in General Conference capacity at Battle Creek, Michigan, in their morning meeting held November 9, 1883: “What a sacred trust God has committed to us in making us his servants to aid in the work of saving souls. He has intrusted to us great truths, a most solemn, testing message for the world. Our duty is not simply to preach, but to minister, to come close to hearts, to put forth personal efforts by the fireside. We should use our intrusted talents with skill and wisdom, that we may present the precious light of truth in the most pleasing manner, the way best calculated to win souls.”12

The Lord Jesus gave His people a commission that should immediately be obeyed. We read in Matthew 28:19, 20 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” It is our privilege to hear and act upon these words. “It is not God’s purpose that ministers should be left to do the greatest part of the work of sowing the seeds of truth. Men who are not called to the gospel ministry are to be encouraged to labor for the Master according to their several ability. Hundreds of men and women now idle could do acceptable service. By carrying the truth into the homes of their neighbors and friends, they could do a great work for the Master. God is no respecter of persons. He will use humble, devoted Christians who have the love of the truth in their hearts. Let such ones engage in service for him by doing house-to-house work. Sitting by the fireside, such men—if humble, discreet, and godly—can do more to meet the real needs of families than could a minister.”13 For everyone who engages in this important work, the fireside becomes a natural stage to share the gospel and lessons on family, faith, and outreach. “The presentation of the truth, in love and simplicity, from house to house, is in harmony with the instruction that Christ gave His disciples when He sent them out on their first missionary tour. By songs of praise, by humble, heartfelt prayers, many will be reached. The divine Worker will be present to send conviction to hearts. ‘I am with you always,’ is His promise. With the assurance of the abiding presence of such a helper, we may labor with faith and hope and courage.”14 So, do you want to be used by God as a humble instrument in leading others to the foot of the cross?

“One of the most effective ways in which light can be communicated is by private personal effort. In the home circle, at your neighbor’s fireside, at the bedside of the sick, in a quiet way you may read the Scriptures and speak a word for Jesus and the truth. Thus you may sow precious seed that will spring up and bring forth fruit.”15

As we studied today, there is an important work to be done “by the fireside,” either our own or someone else’s. As a church, we need to understand that spiritual work isn’t confined to church—it is most effective in everyday, private moments. The fireside, in this understanding, is a prime spot for building relationships and planting seeds of faith and truth away from the stiffness of formal settings. Dear Reform Movement family, let us ask the Lord to open our minds and hearts to receive this message and take home the following appeal He has for you and for me as we close this topic:

“The Lord will investigate the use we have made of the talents He has entrusted to us. He has paid the wages of His own blood and His own self-denial and sacrifice and sufferings, to secure the willing service of every soul as a laborer together with God. If only all felt their accountability to God wisely to employ the gifts in talents entrusted, what a revenue would be brought to God through Jesus Christ! The one talent may and will increase by use. The supposed lowliest gift, the humblest service, may reach minds and influence hearts that those who possess larger talents could not touch.

“Now, now, now is our most favorable time to work. Individual visitation is of great value. In love for Jesus Christ and love for human souls the truth is to be carried to every family, talked of by every fireside that it is possible for you to find access to. . . . Bear in mind that the Holy Spirit is the worker. The human agent working for God is not alone. . . .

“Labor in perseverance, in tenderness, compassion, prayerfulness, and love will do more than sermons. The Lord Jesus, in giving His life for the saving of the world from the curse of sin, intended greater things than our eyes have yet witnessed. The Holy Spirit is waiting for channels through whom to work. . . . Satan will not always triumph. The Spirit of God will be poured out upon the church just as soon as the vessels are prepared to receive it.”16

May the Lord richly bless us and help us to do this work by the fireside, Amen!