My Life for Yours: A Walk through the Christian Home

by Douglas Wilson

The Gospel should teach us to say "my life for yours." Our desire should be to have this love transform everything we do, room by room. This book works its way through every part of the house, examining each part in light of Scripture. The claims of God are always total, and this should be evident on the doorposts and in a sink full of dishes. Self-centeredness destroys in monotonously similar ways. Giving up life for another produces a harvest of kindness and mercy. Household questions should always begin with, "Is this my life for yours?" This book is part of Douglas Wilson's series of books on the family, which has helped many people trying to deal with the on the ground messes that come with sinners trying to live under the same roof. This book on the household covers everything from the living room to the entertainment center to the bathroom, considering the temptations that go with it, and the ways the house can truly be a blessing to those who live in it.

Genres: Family, Theology, Christian Living, Christian, Marriage, Parenting, Nonfiction

166 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2004

About the author

I write in order to make the little voices in my head go away. Thus far it hasn't worked.

Reviews

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

For some reason this book escaped my notice years ago when I read these early 2000s Doug Wilson books published by Canon. The book is modeled after the many rooms or places in a home and Wilson muses Scripturally on each in remarkably wise ways.

This book struck me as a relic of a different age. Reading this in 2021 is rather eye-opening, as so much has changed in the 17 years since it was published. Had we all been musing on the ideas contained in this book then, our world would be a much better one.

However, in the spirit of Semper Reformanda, it isn't too late even today. Reformation starts in our own homes, and this is a great place to start!

[Abigail Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading and thought that this book must have been what inspired Bright Hearth’s first season podcast.
I really enjoy and am helped by Wilson’s thoughts on home and family life. The “unwanted guests” chapters were excellent and convicting.
This will hopefully be a book that I will re-read several times to be encouraged and reminded of how to think and live with the sacrificial “my life for yours” mindset.

[Benjamin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely phenomenal! Did not expect this to be as good as it was. I commend it, very practical in so many ways.

[Joy Wettstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how biblical and practical this book is. For every exhortation that he gives for some aspect of Christian living, there is always multiple scripture references to back it up. I particularly loved the chapter on “the kitchen“ because it helped me understand how to think about food and eating biblically. I came away with lots of practical insights for how to run our household biblically.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly helpful!

[Mason Sherrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite possibly might have been my favorite read from Pastor Doug! It really was that good. The book is patterned after the home, each section dedicated to a different room. He addresses the purposes of that room for a Christian, the sins that often occur in that room and how a family is to be fruitful there. It was profoundly practical and as the title of the book states, the foundational thread through it all is “my life for yours”. If you’ve ever lived in a house, you should read it.

[ValeReads Kyriosity · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once upon a time, I bought the whole family series. Then Doug started his infamous Forty Lashes Less One marriage sermon series, which I listened to from afar. And by the time he was done, I was pretty thoroughly maxed out on the subject, so I never read the rest of the series. But somebody picked this for one of my book groups, so I dutifully read it. Turns out I was the only one in the group who read it...and the only one who remembered we were meeting this evening...including the hostess! 😆 But she graciously took it in stride (exemplifying the message of the book so beautifully), and we texted the missing ladies, and a couple others showed up, and we still had a lovely chat. Even though there wasn't a whole lot in the book that I could apply, since it's mostly addressing family relationships, I'm still immensely blessed to live in a community where many have internalized this teaching on marriage and parenting. Paul told the Corinthians, "You are our epistle." Doug can tell his congregation, "You are our book review."

[Ben Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I personally find Wilson's writing refreshing in this series. Utterly straightforward and direct with every sentence. I thought the categories divided by "rooms in the house" was an interesting take, and the specific insights into ideal atmospheres and considerations for the different areas of a Christian home were thought provoking.

[Hattie Burchfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book with lots of practical advice! It shows very plainly that scripture instructs us in so many areas we either don’t know about or don’t want to acknowledge, and it was encouraging rather than condemning.

[Caleb M. Powers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent.

[Zack Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must for fathers looking to lead their household in an intentional way, with thought for each room and aspect of life.

[Kofi Opoku · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good!

The format is based on rooms of the house & what happens there & how Christ is represented in them.

The practical wisdom in this book was incredible.

So much godly counsel with regard to the home/household, marital relationships, rearing & disciplining children etc.

I wish I'd read this when I was first starting out but am glad to pass it on to my grown children to help them build a solid foundation in their homes.

A must read for newlyweds & young families looking for simple yet wise instruction.

[Samantha Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! A walk through the Christian home, examining scripture and sharing how the gospel becomes our porch, dining room, bedroom, and more. One I will always keep on my shelf and pick up periodically.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of good general principles as well as practical advice. I waited too long to write down thoughts about it and now I don't remember any specifics.

[Rebecca Esmond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful overview of the Christian home and life - you'd be in good shape if you internalized the title alone.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read! Practical and very convicting. I’ve read similar books in the past. This one cuts to the chase. It always good to revisit this topic and be reminded.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A practical walkthrough of the Christian home, I found some parts (particularly parenting) to be very similar to his newer books.

[Sam Stotts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Infinitely re-readable

[Jessica Lyons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great little book. Practical insight in how to apply our theology in every aspect of our homes and lives. All of Christ, for all of life

[Thomas Duell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in my 10th year of marriage and found it rich with practical, biblical wisdom for the home. I would recommend this to couples young and old alike.

[Jen Vanderwey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sorry, but this man is legit. My husband and I will always be thankful for his logical, in-your-face call to DIE. Die to yourself and live for your husband, live for your children, live for your church. “Authority in the home rests on the parents, but it is the authority of servanthood.” Here I take my stand: I love Doug Wilson.

[Leigha Fairchild · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. The conversational style and “walk through the house” was helpful in thinking through a lot of different topics related to the Christian household. I definitely still have things to ponder in considering some of the content shared.

[Caleb Levi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This may be my favorite book on the Christian household. Wilson covers a lot of ground in a short book. Highly recommended!

[John Rimmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Makes you never look at the home in the same way. Each room becomes a reminder.

[Knowlton Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gold.

[Taylor Q-V · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully biblical and practical look at each room of the house. A good encouragement to think through all things in a Christian way and to go to the Word for instruction and direction.

[Brandy Sexton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this to my kids during circle time. I disagreed with him at a few points and explained my thoughts to the kids. But we got a lot out of it and I would recommend it. The theme of “my life for yours” is so important and he does a great job of showing what that looks like.

[David Jamison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Biblical, practical, absolute gold

[Brooks Lemmon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good little book that walked the reader through a Christian home touching on how each room should be used. I would have given this 4 stars, but there were a couple points that seemed a bit excessive. I got a little lost in the long chapter on child rearing. Overall it was still a good book!