You may have seen the words “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” displayed on a decorative pillow or piece of wall art. But Joshua 24:15 is more than an inspirational saying. It is a public declaration of covenant loyalty made after Joshua challenged Israel to reject its idols and choose whom the people would serve.
For Christian households today, serving the Lord means more than displaying the verse. It means shaping everyday decisions, relationships, priorities, and habits around faithfulness to God. We cannot choose faith for every person under our roof, but we can create a home where prayer, Scripture, hospitality, repentance, and love are consistently practiced.
Let’s examine the meaning of “as for me and my house” and consider three practical ways households of every kind can serve the Lord.
Key Points
- Joshua 24:15 is a call to make a deliberate choice about whom your household will serve, regardless of the direction of the surrounding culture.
- Serving the Lord at home begins with being a faithful witness to the people closest to us through prayer, Scripture, presence, and Christlike love.
- Families can make their homes places of ministry by practicing hospitality, welcoming others in, and encouraging fellow believers.
- Serving God as a household also extends beyond the home through acts of generosity, neighborhood outreach, local ministry, and caring for people in need.
- A Christ-centered home will not be perfect, but it can reflect God’s greater household through consistent choices to love, serve, forgive, encourage, and follow Jesus together.
What Does “As for Me and My House” Mean in Joshua 24:15?
In Joshua 24:15, Joshua publicly declares that his household will remain loyal to the Lord rather than follow the false gods worshiped by the surrounding nations. "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Who said this phrase and why did he say it? The protege of Moses himself spoke these words. Joshua delivered this final covenant challenge near the end of his life, after reminding Israel of God’s faithfulness throughout the book of Joshua. The chapter begins with a brief history of the Lord’s faithfulness to Israel (Joshua 24:1-13). Then, Joshua exhorts Israel. He motivates them to choose to get rid of their false gods and serve the one true God (Joshua 24:14-15). In verses 16-28, there is a dialogue between the people of the Lord and Joshua as they repent of trying to bring idols into their lives. Joshua concludes by setting up a large stone under the oak tree near the holy place of God as a witness against them.
Ephesians 2:19-21 says, “Therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. In Him the whole building is fitted together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord. And in Him you too are being built together into a dwelling place for God in His Spirit.”
Notice how the verse mentions God’s household. Jesus is the stone set up by God as a reminder of the victory and the adoption of believers into the family of God. When Joshua claimed his household for the Lord, he foreshadowed the house God was building. If we look at the name Jesus in its original Hebrew form, it actually means "Joshua."
Jeff A. Benner, from ancient Hebrew, says, “The name יהושע (yehoshu'a, Strong's #3091) means 'YHWH saves.'” He continues, “The names Jose, Joshua, and Jesus are the Latinized transliteration of the Greek Ἰησοῦς (Iesous), which is a transliteration of the Hebrew יהושע (yehoshu'a, Strong's #3091). From this, we can conclude that "Jesus'" Hebrew name is Yehoshua (Joshua). It is amazing that Joshua (Yehoshua) would be Jesus’ Hebrew name. Just as Joshua, son of Nun, led the people of God to the promised land, our Joshua, Jesus Christ, led the people of the world to the promised land of Heaven. Clarence L. Haynes Jr. from Crosswalk shares, “Within this verse, Joshua is making a declaration about what matters most to him and his household. He is stating clearly and without any doubt who he will serve. It didn’t matter to him what any other Israelite and their families decided to do; he was establishing what was right for his house.”
When establishing our own home standards, it is imperative to seek the Lord. No matter what our neighbors or our culture are pursuing, our homes model the greater home built within the family of God. A friend of mine and her husband chose to follow Jesus simply because their neighbors lived out the love of Christ and hospitality to them. Our households, not just physical, but families, are examples to the world of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
No home is perfect because we are all sinners. However, when we invite the Holy Spirit to lead us, we can love beyond our capacity. I think of the society in which we live today, where people are claiming that truth is relative. Young people have access to social media, the internet, and cell phones. Small children often run the homes due to the lack of structure and discipline. Years ago, the parents might have missed the very important gift of love, but we must be careful not to let the pendulum swing the other way and allow children to set the tone for our households. Joshua was wrestling through his own societal circumstances and standing up for God. Will we be the kind of families who consistently follow Jesus both inside and outside the house?
3 Ways Your Household Can Serve the Lord Today
A household serves the Lord through ordinary, repeated practices that make faith visible inside the home and in the surrounding community. Apart from marriage, family is one of the closest relationships that models the intimacy we can have with Christ. What are some practical applications for how to serve God with our families?
Be a Witness to Your Family
Family means different things to different people. For some, this might be a biological family; for others, it could be an adopted family, or even roommates for a single person. Family might have a special place in your heart or be a negative word that brings up past wounds. Whoever God has brought you to, in whatever household you live, you have an opportunity to be a light to those who see you on a daily basis.
If a pastor spends all of his time ministering to everyone outside of his home and completely neglects his own family, what good is his ministry? Families are ministries. We are called to raise up our children in the way that they should go (Proverbs 22:6). We can do this through being present when we can, praying for and with each other, doing devotions as a family, creating a safe place to ask hard questions, and reminding each other of the Gospel regularly.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 says, “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
Invite Others In
One of the most powerful ministry opportunities is inviting others into your home to experience your interactions together. I think of all the amazing people of the faith who used hospitality as a catalyst for the Gospel. Priscilla and Aquila are wonderful examples. The house can also serve as a place for believers. In the early church, Christ-followers met in homes. When we include other Christians in our home, our children are able to see their faith and be invested in by other voices. We can encourage one another as the family of God.
- Luke 14:12-14: “Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
- Romans 12:13: “Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality."
Go out Together
Missional living is a wonderful way to help a household serve the Lord. As a unit, you can serve beyond your home by partnering with a local ministry, blessing your neighbors with cards or food, visiting the elderly, or helping the poor. A family that serves the Lord in the home also needs to serve Him outside the home. By doing this, we are modeling that we love each other, and we love the world. I would pray as a family about what your specific passions and callings are for reaching others. How are you each gifted, and how could you share the love of Jesus with others? When we participate in extending that service, we are modeling evangelism by inviting the world to join the family of God.
Matthew 22:38-39: “Jesus replied, Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
In a world continually inching further away from the Lord, it is vital that we honor Him, beginning in our homes. The first relationship that the Creator established after His own relationship with Adam was marriage to the woman. Then, He called them to be fruitful and multiply. The community within our households provides us with unique moments to love, serve, forgive, encourage, and witness to one another. We can serve the Lord by sharing Him within the home, inviting others in, and going out to share His love together. Just as Joshua took a stand, even when decisions are difficult and following the Lord as a family seems impossible, we will never regret choosing Jesus over the ways of the world. May each of our family units be a reminder of the greater household of God which is accessed through the open door of Jesus Christ. He came so that we may enter. He is preparing a place for His adopted brothers and sisters. Our eternal family will never fail because God is our Perfect Father, and we can model this through the Holy Spirit today.
Pray Intentionally for the People in Your Household
Use this seven-day Scripture-centered guide to pray for your family’s faith, wisdom, relationships, forgiveness, protection, and spiritual growth.
Download 7 Days of Praying for Your Family and begin building a consistent rhythm of prayer for the people God has placed in your life.
Frequently Asked Questions about “As for Me and My House”
What does “as for me and my house” mean?
- Joshua was declaring that he and his household would remain loyal to the Lord rather than worship the gods of Egypt, the Amorites, or Israel’s ancestors. His statement called Israel to make a deliberate choice about whom they would serve.
Can I decide that everyone in my household will follow God?
- You cannot make another person believe, but you can establish values and practices that honor God within your home. You can model genuine faith, pray for those in your household, encourage honest questions, and treat each person with Christlike love.
What if my spouse or children do not believe in God?
- Continue following Christ with humility, consistency, and love. Avoid using Joshua 24:15 to pressure or shame them. Pray for them, listen respectfully, keep conversations open, and allow your conduct to demonstrate how faith shapes your character.
How can a busy family serve the Lord together?
- Begin with small, sustainable practices. Pray before meals, read a short passage together, discuss one faith question during a commute, serve a neighbor, or choose one person to encourage each week. Consistency matters more than creating an elaborate routine.
Does Joshua 24:15 promise that my children will remain Christians?
- No. Joshua 24:15 is a declaration of allegiance, not a guarantee about every family member’s future choices. Parents and caregivers can teach, model, pray, and cultivate a healthy faith environment, but each person must ultimately respond to God personally.
For Further Reading:
- Why We Must Make Family Devotions a Priority
- How Discipling Our Children Can Change a Generation
- Hosting Ideas for Food, Fun, and Fellowship
- 10 Profound Ways God Uses Mothers in the Great Commission
- How to Parent with Heaven in Mind
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/kate_sept2004
This article is part of our larger resource library of popular Bible verse phrases and quotes. We want to provide easy to read articles that answer your questions about the meaning, origin, and history of specific verses within Scripture's context. It is our hope that these will help you better understand the meaning and purpose of God's Word in relation to your life today.
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