A House NOT Divided: Promoting Unity in the Homeschool Family
I. Intro
II. Family Vision/Mission
Practical Ways to Impart a Sense of Unity in the Family
III. A Family That Desires Unity Tears Down Obstacles
A. Our evil habits destroy our regard and love for one another.
1. Don't allow pesting or bullying
2. Don't tolerate name calling
3. Punish provocation as well as reaction
4. Stop sarcasm and smartmouthing
5. Make competition healthy
6. Encourage peacemaking
7. Encourage shared emotions Romans 12:15-16
B. How can we change?
1. Recognize that bickering and discord is sin Proverbs 6:16-19
2. Deal with it as seriously as we do other sin
IV. A Family That Desire Unity Builds Memories
A. Form family traditions
1. Holiday means "holy day"
2. Feasting is approved by Scripture
3. Form traditions around other holidays
4. Let anticipation build
5. Be unique and don't be afraid to be alone
B. Share interests and accomplishments
1. Develop family hobbies and shared interests
2. Share adversity
3. Seek out a challenge
C. Be sure your children know you value them
1. Children pick up your attitude toward them.
2. Children will also pick up your attitude toward more babies. Psalm 127:3
3. Your parenting is impacted if you believe your children are a gift from the Lord
V. A Family That Desires Unity Reminds Themselves of It Everyday in Little Ways
A. They identify with their family
1. Matching clothes or dress code
2. Fellowship as families
3. Have a healthy sense of pride in your family
4. Have special family code language and code words
B. They guard each other's hearts and feelings
1. Criticism stops at the threshold
2. This starts with the parents
3. He's my brother...
4. Wash your dirty laundry privately
C. They spend time together
1. Quantity trumps quality
2. Bring a child on errands
3. Take the family on business
4. Read or play together as a family
5. Remind yourself of why you are doing this Deuteronomy 32:46-47
VI. Conclusion
A. Summary
B. Glorify God in your family
C. Oswald Chambers quote
"Our family life in Perth was a very united one; each evening, after the home-lessons were done, was given up to games of various kinds. We found our enjoyment and entertainment in our home; no outside amusements could possibly compare with the fun and happiness to be found there. We never had any desire to be out playing or walking with chums...
"I feel traits in my character which I knew not of before, and it causes me to bow in deeper gratitude for that home training which I have now left, for the training and disciplines of life. Oh! What a mighty influence home life has on us! Indeed, we do not know how deep a debt we owe to our mothers and fathers and their training."
D. Theodore Kuyler quote (see more of this fantastic quote in another blog entry here)
Everything that attracts our children to their homes is very apt to be, in the end, an attraction towards heaven.
Resource:
Doorposts Brother-offended Checklist
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
Melanie,
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your workshops at NCHE conference! The Lord specifically put me in those workshops! He has been opening our eyes and hearts(mine and my husband's)to having more children. One slight detail is that my husband would have to have a reversal surgery, he had a vasectomy 5 years ago after the birth of our third son. Of course money is an issue for this procedure, but I did find Blessed Arrows on the web and will be praying that maybe the Lord will use this ministry to enable us to have more children. Thank you for being open about your miscarriage, I too had a miscarriage 11 years ago, but was rushed into the decision of a d&c. Now, I'm wondering if maybe the doctors might have been wrong. I will be praying for you and your whole family as you go through this season.
In Christ's Love,
Sarah Jordan
P.S. I have a blog on homeschoolblogger...my blog is nicolenordman.homeschoolblogger.com
Post a Comment