FAMILY FIRST

What does it mean to have a successful family?
What does it look like to have well-adjusted kids who are great citizens and awesome contributors to society? And what is the benchmark for measuring the above?
What will it look like when you’ve achieved success as a parent?

The answer for me and my house is to get our family anchored in the truth of God’s Word.
All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for these four things:

1. Teaching
2. Reproof
3. Correction
4. Training in righteousness-not just knowing what to do, but how to do that.

Here’s a list of possibilities and actionable steps to make progress and to create momentum towards having a successful family:

• Pray together-meals, bedtimes, and all the time
• Start a regular time of family Bible reading-we try to open the Bible at every meal together
• Memorize portions of God’s Word as a family-it is amazing what kids can memorize
• Challenge your kids to have a quiet time alone with God
• Challenge yourself to have a quiet time alone with God daily
• Worship together as a family-make music and worship of God part of your family fabric
• Listen to great worship music-this comes in all flavors-pick the ones that work for you
• Draw up a family mission statement-include the key ingredients of what and who you are as a family
• Worship corporately with other Christians-make it a regular practice
• Teach your kids’ Sunday school-volunteer to help out and share your life in the process
• Have a weekly home Bible study or home fellowship group meet in your home-my personal favorite.
• Turn off the TV and just hang out together-Legos, puzzles, board games all become the venue for fellowship
• Include your kids in all your daily routines such as chores, rides to town, and general hanging out
• Choose your family values and post them in your home; love God, family first, work hard, tell the truth, and be kind to one another.

Walk in God’s Word together as a family and be equipped to face the storms of life.  God’s Word contains all the truths we need to thoroughly equip ourselves and our family for the trip.  And what a long strange trip it can be without God. Be encouraged to take the trip with God, "Via con Dios".