Family Value #4: Create a Rhythm

11-06-2016

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 

“Every family has a rhythm. Rhythm is simply how we arrange our time. You don’t have to intent to have one. You don’t have to plan one. Every family, no matter how chaotic or structured, ends up with one. As we go from day to day, we establish and shape a rhythm that in turn shapes our kids. Rhythm in your home shapes your family values. Rhythm can tilt us away from meaningful dialogue or lean us into it. Parents determine what’s normal by the rhythm they establish in their homes. So – and here’s the key question – how normal is God in the rhythm of your home?” – Excerpt from PARENTING BEYOND YOUR CAPACITY.

When you were growing up, what were some of your favorite’s family traditions or routines? What were some of the routines or traditions you didn’t enjoy? Why?

What rhythms and patterns have you developed within your own family today? How did they originate?

What do they say about your family?

Read Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (again), why do you think Moses picked times like morning time, mealtime, traveling time and bedtime?

What can you learn from the experiences that led to your own spiritual growth that might help you more effectively integrate faith into your family life?

Valor Familiar #3: Pelea Por el Corazón

Deuteronomio 6:4-9, 20-25

10-30-2016

Los niños deben ganar nuestra confianza. Se trata de una idea básica que hemos oído todas nuestras vidas. Lo hemos escuchado de nuestros padres. Es una de esas líneas que repetimos a nuestros hijos por instinto. "Tienes que ganar mi confianza" o "he perdido mi confianza en ti." Esta es una verdad incuestionable, los niños deben tratar de ganar y mantener la confianza de sus padres. Sin embargo, ¿qué pasaría si Dios espera que usted pueda ganar la confianza de ellos durante sus años de formación, tanto como se supone que ellos deben ganar la tuya? ¿Qué pasa si un gran elemento de la crianza de nuestros hijos es ganar su confianza, para que cuando sean adultos, ellos sapan que pueden contar con nosotros? Sea honesto por un segundo... si fueras tu hijo, ¿confiarías en ti? Si tú fueras ellos, ¿podrías confiar en que no vas disciplinar en ira, que nunca romper una de sus promesas básicas como padre o que nunca vas a tomar las cosas demasiado personal? Más allá de las reglas, Dios pelea por nuestros corazones. Debemos hacer lo mismo, de lo contrario corremos el riesgo de ganar la batalla pero perder al niño.

Hablar de la casa en la que creció. ¿Cuál fue el enfoque de las reglas y la disciplina en su casa de infancia?

Cuando usted piensa en su infancia, ¿Qué era más importante la obediencia a tus padres o la relación con tus padres? ¿Cómo cree que esto ha impactado su casa, positiva o negativamente, hoy en día?

¿Prefiere pasar un día en que sus hijos siguen todas las reglas y se comportan perfectamente o un día cuando experimenta momentos profundos cercanos en su relación con su hijo(a)? ¿Por qué?

¿Cómo cree que Dios respondería a la misma pregunta cuando se trata de nosotros?

¿Cómo sus padres trabajaron para tener una estrecha relación con usted? ¿Cómo no lo hicieron? ¿Cómo ha afectado esto a su relación?

Lea Deuteronomio 6: 4-9, 20-25. ¿Pueden sus hijos ver la realidad de estos versos en ti? ¿Cómo estás luchando por el corazón de tu hijo hoy?

Family Value #3: Fight for the Heart

Deuteronomy 6:4-9, 20-25

10-30-2016

Children must earn our trust. This is a basic idea that we have heard all our lives. We heard it from our parents. It is one of those lines that we repeat to our children instinctively.  “You got to earn my trust” or “I lost my trust in you.” This is an unquestionable truth, children should seek to earn and maintain the trust of their parents. Yet, what if God expects you to earn their trust during their formative years just as much as they are supposed to earn yours. What if a big element of raising our children is earning their trust so that when they become adults, they would know that they can count on us? Let be honest for a second…if you were your child, would you trust you? If you were them, would you trust you to never discipline out of anger, to never break one of your core promises as a parent or to never take things too personally? Beyond the rules, God fights for our hearts. We must do the same, otherwise we risk winning the battle but losing the child.

Talk about the home you grew up in. What was the approach to rules and discipline in your childhood home?

When you think of your childhood, were the rules sometimes sacrificed for the sake of the relationship, or did relationships become secondary to enforcing the rules? How do you think that this has impacted your home, positively or negatively, today?

Would you rather spent a day when your children follow all the rules and behave perfectly or a day when you experience close deep moments in your child relationship with you? Why?

How do you think that God would answer that same question when it comes to us?

How did your parents work to have a close relationship with you? How they failed to do so? How have this affected your relationship?

Read Deuteronomy 6:4-9, 20-25. Can they see the reality of these verses in you? How are you fighting for the heart of your child today?