Whenyou hear the term "devoted family" what comes to mind?

Do youpicture caring people, considerate of family members and "devoted" toGod? 

Our

 Lord designed the family unit to be a loving, need-fulfillment center. The healthy Christian home is the ideal haven to learn the indispensable traitsof repentance, forgiveness, justice, grace, trust, intimacy, communication,evangelism (Gospel-sharing), and the establishment of individual andinterdependent purposes. A faith-filled family strives to imitate the heavenlyFather's commitment to his adopted children (I John 3:1).

Theinterdependent functions of a Christian family serve as a model for the localcongregation, and also the whole Church in the Body of Christ.  The sameSpirit-fruits (Galatians 5:22) are blessings to be pursuedin each: the community of all believers, the local church and the primaryfamily unit. Stable, spiritually-growing families will be betterable to serve the church with their time, talent and treasures.  Conversely,the local church will be better able to serve the families who are grounded inthe Word and committed to Christ. 

Healthy families are a source of comfort, guidance, identity (giving roles andfunction), affirmation, and interaction among its members. Children needlove, empathy, respect, responsibility, and emotional access to their parents,as well as a growing sense of their priceless worth in Christ. A healthylife includes a balance of work and play, socializing and solitude, helpingourselves and assisting others. The family unit works as a learning labthat demonstrates the value of these habits.  What traits does your home striveto teach? 

 

On a scale of 1 to 10 (10being best) rate your family's strengths:

 

1.  We are committed tospending time with one another.

2. We talk and listenrespectfully to individuals’ goals, fears and       opinions.

3.  We try to eat atleast one daily meal together.

4. Our family rituals andcustoms (game playing, story reading, prayers   etc.) add to our sense ofoneness.

5. We gently help each otherto cope with individual or group problems.

6. Each member's spiritual,emotional, physical and intellectual health   is nourished and purposelyencouraged.

7.  We affirm andappreciate each other's gifts, efforts, and unique   personality.

 

Add up your numbers. 

Ascore in the 7 - 24 total range indicates that improvement is needed in yourhome situation. (But you already knew that, right? Pray and ask forencouragement from a Christian friend, or counselor.)  The range of25 - 39 reflects a slightly lower than average support system. Acknowledging this is step one in your family’s task of goal setting.  A 40 - 59 score reflects a considerate, loving family with lots ofblessings to build on. Pat yourself on the back if your score tops 60! You provide consistent nurture and balance by meeting group and individualneeds in your home.  Other families would benefit from your mentoring!

 

Don't let a low scorediscourage you. Instead, using the following passages, ask God to help you usethe results for family discussion and goal-setting.

 

 

Leviticus 19:32

Psalm 68:4-6

Psalm 78:5-7

Proverbs 6:20-23

I Timothy 5:8

Ephesians 4: 15-16, 29

Ephesians 5:1-2

Colossians 3:13

Hebrews 10:23,24

 

 

Please let us know yourfamily’s response to this Scripture study activity. Your application ideas andresults may be just the spark needed to encourage other devoted families.