"Like the patriarchs of old, those who profess to love God should erect an altar to the Lord wherever they pitch their tent. If ever there was a time when every house should be a house of prayer, it is now. Fathers and mothers should often lift up their hearts to God in humble supplication for themselves and their children. Let the father, as priest of the household, lay upon the altar of God the morning and evening sacrifice, while the wife and children unite in prayer and praise. In such a household Jesus will love to tarry. PP 144.1"
"And the Lord appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the Lord, who appeared unto him."
Both passages connect the idea of building an altar with worship and devotion to God. The Genesis verse describes Abram literally building an altar, while the EGW passage uses it metaphorically to encourage family worship.
"From every Christian home a holy light should shine forth. Love should be revealed in action. It should flow out in all home intercourse, showing itself in thoughtful kindness, in gentle, unselfish courtesy. There are homes where this principle is carried out—homes where God is worshiped and truest love reigns. From these homes morning and evening prayer ascends to God as sweet incense, and His mercies and blessings descend upon the suppliants like the morning dew. PP 144.2"
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
The EGW passage directly alludes to Matthew 5:16 by using the phrase "a holy light should shine forth" and connecting it to good works and glorifying God.
"A well-ordered Christian household is a powerful argument in favor of the reality of the Christian religion— an argument that the infidel cannot gainsay. All can see that there is an influence at work in the family that affects the children, and that the God of Abraham is with them. If the homes of professed Christians had a right religious mold, they would exert a mighty influence for good. They would indeed be the “light of the world.” The God of heaven speaks to every faithful parent in the words addressed to Abraham: “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.” PP 144.3"
"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid."
EGW uses the phrase "light of the world" in the context of a Christian household, echoing the sentiment of Matthew 5:14, where Jesus uses the same phrase to describe his followers. The connection is thematic, focusing on the influence and example set by believers.