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How are you fostering your family’s spiritual growth?
A pilgrim is a traveler who is on a journey to a holy place. ~Wikipedia
According to Wikipedia’s definition, you and I as believers are pilgrims!
Do you have spiritual goals forming your family’s spiritual growth? Where are you headed with your troop?
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As you pioneer your way through the unmarked forest full of undiscovered resources and possible set-backs, you’ll need a spiritual growth map for your family.
Your mission is to raise kids godly adults
…in a foreign land (this world is not our home).
You and your husband have decisions to make on how best to do this.
You need a personally designed map, tailor-fitted just for your family.
1. What is your plan for your own spiritual growth?
When will you spend time with the Lord each day?
What passage will you read or what devotional will you use?
Do you have a prayer plan?
“And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.” ~Luke 18:1
To guide your family’s spiritual growth, you will need a plan for your personal spiritual growth.
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2. What is your plan for your family’s spiritual growth?
Will you have devotional time with them each day?
How are you teaching them to pray?
Have you given them devotional tools to use?
Where will you go to church?
The Pilgrims migrated to America to worship freely.
Now it’s our privilege.
If you have been meaning to find a church and just haven’t yet or you’re kind of wishy-washy about attending, it’s time to make those decisions.
If you want your kids to follow Christ and be reared in a Christian home, this is an essential step.
“But bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” ~Ephesians 6:4b
What programs does your church have for children?
If there aren’t any classes for your kids, you may want to consider either helping start some.
It’s important that they feel a part of your church.
Whenever my husband and I moved to a new town and looked for a church, we kept the kid’s needs uppermost in mind.
Were the classes kid friendly? Did the teachers seem to love children? Did they teach the Word of God?
How involved will you be?
You need to have a part in the ministry of your church, even if it’s just taking a turn in nursery. You can find little ways to serve that won’t add stress.
Your kids need to see you serving in church – you’re providing an example for them.
By the same token, make sure you’re not so involved in doing at church that you don’t have enough time for your kids.
If your ministry is stressing you out so much that your biting your kid’s heads off at home…best give up that “ministry”.
Your kids should be your top ministry, before anything or anyone else. Click To Tweet
3. Will you work outside the home?
Better get on the same page with your husband!
Look at your finances closely. If there is any way you can scrape by and stay home with your kids when they’re little, do it.
Even if it means you can’t go out to dinner once a month.
There’s no substitute for a mama.
There may be times when you have to work – I did when my two youngest weren’t old enough for school and still needed child care.
Just make sure your kids are safe – no money in the world can substitute for putting your child in harmful situations.
4. How will you minister to the natives neighbors?
Your children are watching you. If you have a bad vibe going with Mr. McCracken across the fence, the kids will too.
If you decide to use the snow blower to clear off his sidewalk for him, they’ll see your gracious heart and pick up on that as well.
Taking a meal to a neighbor or delivering mail during illness not only shows a heart for others, but contributes to your family’s spiritual growth.
5. Where will the kids attend school?
-Visit the neighborhood school. Find out as much as you can about it. Are you comfortable sending your kids there?
-What about a Christian school?
If you would have asked me this question 26 years ago, the answer would have been a resounding “NO!”
But through the years, I actually became open to the idea.
One day I took the plunge and pulled all four kids out – grades 1-8. No, I wasn’t trying to kill myself quickly, I felt a burden for something different for my family.
It was one of the best decisions I ever made for my kids.
Never say never. Be sure to pray about your options about everything – including homeschooling.
6. How will you give thanks?
Everybody knows the Pilgrims celebrated the first Thanksgiving, but I’m not just referring to Thanksgiving.
I’m speaking of every day life.
You know the scenario –
you stub your toe
the dog poops in the house
kids are running around the house (like a bunch of wild Indians)
you’ve errands to run
you forgot to pay that bill
etc., etc., etc.
UGH.
But did you give thanks today?
Don't put it off - give thanks throughout the day - it'll change your thinking and lift your spirits. Click To Tweet
Your kids will pick up on your thankful attitude.
What is your family plan? How will you rear your children to grow into godly adults? What kind of a church will you be involved in and to what extent will you be involved? How will you minister to those around you and teach your children to do the same?
The Family Bible Toolkit
The brand new Family Bible Toolkit will help your whole family grow in devotional life!
- Make your quiet time EASY & CONVENIENT with the Family Bible Study Toolkit. It has 40+ Bible study templates for the whole family.
- Organize your Bible study resources in one place with the Bible Study Notebook Kit. It’s FREE for a limited time.
- Help your kids grow in faith with the CREATIVE & SIMPLE activities found in the Family Bible Study Toolkit. These 20+ printable activities will make the Bible come alive & have meaning!
- Strengthen your marriage with simple devotional activities for the busy couple in the Family Bible Study Toolkit.
- The 10 minute Read & Respond Bible Study Method can help even the busiest of moms find time in the Word
- Bible journaling as a non-artist is made EASY with templates in the Family Bible Study Toolkit. You CAN worship through art!
God’s Word lights our paths for decision-making, step-by-step. But we must read it in order to receive that light. The Family Bible toolkit provides tools for the entire family – mom, dad, and kids – all for under $20.00!
Click here to watch a video about the toolkit.
Purchase the Family Bible Toolkit
How will you form your family’s spiritual growth, and what kind of imprint will you leave?
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Ruthie, I just love this post! I wish I had had it when I started this journey 13 years ago, but there are still so many things to think about. Thanks so much for always offering a thoughtful word and wisdom.
Hey, friend! Thanks for your words and for taking the time to read. I just know when I was a young mama, I searched for books and picked the brains of wise parents. I couldn’t get enough! So, that is my mission now. To encourage, teach, and advise. Have a lovely weekend! 🙂