In our “everything goes” world, one of the first things to “go” have been any sort of defined values. And yet, we hear the term “family values” so much, it’s lost most of its meaning. So . . . what are family values, and what do they look like in one particular family? Below are the values that Alyson and I have defined for our family.
Many of the values below should be values in your home, because they’re solidly based in scriptural principles. But . . . others are catered to our unique personality and make up as a family. And . . . we all need to be careful not to turn our own convictions into universal causes. That being said, values are so critical, because they not only help you determine what you are going to say “yes” to . . . they are critical in determining what you are going to say “no” to. It takes time, but it’s time well-invested to define the values for your family. May you be value-driven in all that you do!
Shedd Family Values
All plans and activities must ask these questions:
“How will this affect our children’s souls?”
“What appetites are being developed in their hearts by the choices
we are making as we parent them?”
1. Each member of the family would have a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ (John 3:16).
Each child must choose the Lord for themselves, but we as parents (and especially Dad) will strive to present the gospel clearly enough that we will have no regrets, and each child has no excuse.
2. Joyfully serve others (Galatians 5:13).
Through weekly/monthly hospitality and/or taking meals to new neighbors, new moms, or those recovering from illness/surgery.
3. Obedience (John 14:15).
“Do what I say, do it right away, and always with a smile!”
4. Respect and honor authority, elders, and all others (Romans 12:10).
Speak honorably of others, guarding our tongues from slander.
5. Love for babies and children (Matthew 19:14).
We will receive with joy all the children that God desires to bless us with. God is the giver of life, and He opens and closes the womb.
6. Love for worship (Psalm 66:1-2).
We will sing and worship each day at the piano, especially singing Scripture.
7. Modesty in how we dress (Colossians 3:17).
Our girls will be distinctly feminine, and our boys will be distinctly masculine.
8. Love for learning and teaching God’s Word (2 Timothy 2:15).
We will emphasize individual devotions, morning devotions with Mom, and evening devotions with Dad at the family meal table.
9. Give their hearts to Dad and Mom until they are given over in marriage (Proverbs 23:26).
We will promote courtship over dating. Dad is responsible to guard the purity of our daughters until their wedding day (this means that we will promote especially our daughters remaining in our home rather than going away to college or setting up their own apartment).
10. Enjoy the beauty of God’s creation.
We will prioritize national parks, mountains, beaches over “entertainment” parks.
11. Wise about what is good, but innocent concerning evil (Romans 12:19).
We will guard all forms of media in our home. In particular we will severely limit broadcast television and radio. At all times, we will honor the authority of God’s Word.
12. Prefer siblings over friends.
We will cultivate that the attitude in our children that their siblings are their best friends. We will limit interactions with friends primarily to Sundays and/or hospitality.
13. Honor the Lord with our choice of diet.
Our general practice will be homemade meals over processed meals. We will purchase natural and organic food as much as possible.
14. Honor our day of rest.
On Thursdays (our current day of rest), we will do our best not to make any commitments that separate our family on that day.
0 comments:
Post a Comment