SPIRITUAL GROWTH OF YOUR FAMILY

1
SPIRITUAL GROWTH OF YOUR FAMILY

• By Jonas Raquel Arrais
• General Conference Ministerial Association

2
A HEALTHY FAMILY

• Needs
• A strong marriage commitment
• Appreciation and affirmation
• Effective communication
• Spiritual commitment
• Skills to deal with crisis and conflicts

3
FAMILY LIFE
OUR FIRST MINISTRY!
4
STRESS FACTORS

• Usually overloaded
• No time for the family
• Struggle to survive
• Concern for the future
• Education of the children
• Financial and health problems
• Losses

5

• Ellen White wrote
• The greatest evidence of the power of
  Christianity that can be presented to the world
  is a well-ordered, well-disciplined family.
• Adventist Home, p. 32

6
IMPORTANT CONCEPTS

• Christianity is a centralized life in love.

Whoever does not love does not know God, because
God is love. 1 John 48
7
Home is a place to learn love

If love does not work at home, does not work
anywhere else.
8
Love is a quality that is developed

• Nobody is born loving.
• We are born with the need and potential to love.
• Love is learned.
• Thats why God created the home!

9

• Four of the 10 Commandments relate directly or
  indirectly to the home.

10

• Second Commandment Children tend to follow the
  example of their parents.
• Fourth Commandment The Sabbath rest includes the
  entire family.
• Fifth Commandment Children of any age have
  responsibility toward their parents.
• Tenth Commandment Admire your
• own spouse, not the neighbors.

11

• Taking care of our family should be a priority
  over everything elseexcept over God Himself.

12
RECIPE FOR A HAPPY FAMILY

• Spend quality time regularly
• The greatest gift you can give your family is
  youyourself!
• Real, quality, and sufficient time.
• Fulfill your promise.

13

• Allow time for small tasks
• Work as a team.
• Undertake something together.
• Have rituals.
• Set and discuss priorities.

14

• Communicate well
• Communicate with your spouse in a meaningful way
• Listen lovingly
• Listen without judging
• Share problems and triumphs
• Communicate at a deeper level
• Intimacy
• Romance

15

• Communicate with your children appropriately
• Verbal communication should cover both speaking
  and listening. It should be age-appropriate,
  respectful, and friendly.
• Appropriate touch is important.
• Body language affects how they react.

16

• Affirm frequently
• Express appreciation.
• Say, Thank You!
• Beware of criticism.
• Always look for something good and positive.
• Accompany and support your spouse.

17

• Pray daily
• Set the family altar as a daily top priority.
• Make the family worship a happy experience.
• Share the spiritual leadership.

18
Objectives of the family worship

• Educational
• Therapeutic
• Redemptive

19

• To build a happy family could bring some
  challenges, but the effort is worthy!

20

• A well-ordered, a well-disciplined family in the
  sight of God is more precious than fine gold. . .
• One well-ordered, well-disciplined family tells
  more in behalf of Christianity than all the
  sermons that can be preached.
• Adventist Home, p. 32