Habits of the Household: Practicing the Story of God in Everyday Family Rhythms by Justin Whitmel Earley is a deeply thoughtful and practical guide for families seeking to cultivate godly habits in their everyday lives. The book serves as both a roadmap and an encouragement for Christian parents who wish to integrate spiritual practices into their household routines. Rather than introducing new tasks or adding extra burdens, Earley’s approach focuses on weaving meaningful, God-centred rhythms into the regular patterns of family life.
At the heart of Habits of the Household is the belief that the small, repetitive actions of daily life—such as mealtime conversations, bedtime routines, and moments of discipline—are key opportunities to shape the hearts of both parents and children toward God. Drawing from his experience as a father of four, Earley writes candidly about his own failures and struggles, while offering practical advice and hope for building spiritually formative habits.
In the opening chapters, Earley uses two compelling metaphors to help readers rethink their homes. He writes: “The most Christian way to think about our households is that they are little ‘schools of love,’ places where we have one vocation, one calling: to form all who live here into lovers of God and neighbour.” He continues, saying: “We become our habits, and our kids become us. The family, for better or worse, is a formation machine.”
These metaphors—a school of love and a formation machine—powerfully illustrate how the family can be a primary environment where God shapes children as Christians. Earley calls for a rediscovery of the home as a context for discipleship, encouraging families to pay particular attention to the habits that shape their daily lives.
The book’s central message is explored through ten key practices, each offering insight into how ordinary rhythms and routines can become opportunities for gospel formation. While it’s impossible to cover all of them here, a few stand out as particularly impactful.
In the chapter on Mealtimes, Earley references Barna research that suggests “spiritually vibrant families shared one amazing thing in common—they had loud tables.” Though mealtime customs may differ across cultures, the chapter offers a valuable reminder that sitting down together to eat provides a unique opportunity each day to give thanks, ask thoughtful questions, listen attentively, and enjoy the blessing of family relationships. Earley’s suggestion of lighting a candle and repeating “Christ is Light” before a meal is one such practice that families have found meaningful. In a world often forgetful of Christ, this small yet significant gesture can feel like an act of gospel defiance. These habits reorientate our hearts to ultimate reality. Its beauty lies in its simplicity, and it has sparked deep conversations about Jesus even among young children.
Another chapter that resonates deeply is on marriage. Christians believe marriage is the bedrock of a healthy home, and by extension, the foundation of flourishing churches and societies. Yet, in the busyness of modern life, little attention is given to cultivating a healthy marriage. Earley writes: “Kids demand attention, constantly. But one of the central things we need in our marriage is to give, and get, the undivided attention of our spouse. Yes, we are parents, but first we are husband and wife. If we do not work to do well as husband and wife, our work of parenting will be in vain. You can’t teach love without embodying it.”
In the trenches of daily family life, it’s easy for marriage to be neglected in favour of parenting. This serves as a convicting reminder that being the best father means demonstrating both a strong commitment to Christ and a deep devotion to their mother, showing them that these are the most important priorities in life.
Overall, Earley’s writing is both helpful and encouraging. It prompts readers to reflect on their own lives and evaluate the habits and practices within their families. Throughout the book, his commitment to being saturated in the grace of the gospel is evident, as he consistently points to the redemptive story of the Bible. His honesty about his own shortcomings, both as a husband and father, is refreshing and relatable. The book is thoroughly realistic, yet it also inspires readers to make small but meaningful changes in family habits to foster deeper discipleship.
This book comes highly recommended for Christian parents. It could be especially beneficial for group discussion among parents in the church. While not every suggestion may resonate with everyone, and some ideas may not translate perfectly across different cultural contexts, the central message—intentionally integrating faith in Jesus into the ordinary rhythms of family life—is incredibly valuable and worthy of deep reflection.
