SPIRITUAL GROWTH

OF YOUR FAMILY

By Jonas & Raquel Arrais

General Conference Ministerial
Association
 A HEALTHY FAMILY
Needs:
• A strong marriage commitment

• Appreciation and affirmation

• Effective communication

• Spiritual commitment

• Skills to deal with crisis and conflicts

 FAMILY LIFE

OUR FIRST MINISTRY!

 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
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
 IMPORTANT CONCEPTS
• Christianity is a centralized life in love.

“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
—1 John 4:8
• Home is a place to learn love

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

o Nobody is born loving.

o We are born with the need and potential to love.

o Love is learned.

o That’s why God created the home!

Four of the 10 Commandments relate directly or
indirectly to the home.
• 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 neighbor’s.
 Taking care of our family should be a
priority over everything else—except over
God Himself.
RECIPE FOR A HAPPY FAMILY
1. Spend quality time regularly

• The greatest gift you can give your family is

you—yourself!

• Real, quality, and sufficient time.

• Fulfill your promise.

• Allow time for small tasks

o Work as a team.

o Undertake something together.

o Have rituals.

o Set and discuss priorities.

2. Communicate well
• Communicate with your spouse in a
meaningful way:
oListen lovingly
oListen without judging
oShare problems and triumphs
oCommunicate at a deeper level
• Intimacy
• Romance
• Communicate with your children
appropriately:
o Verbal communication should cover both
speaking and listening. It should be age-
appropriate, respectful, and friendly.
o Appropriate touch is important.
o Body language affects how they react.
3. Affirm frequently
• Express appreciation.
• Say, Thank You!
• Beware of criticism.
• Always look for something good and positive.
• Accompany and support your spouse.
4. Pray daily
• Set the family altar as a daily top priority.
• Make the family worship a happy experience.
• Share the spiritual leadership.
Objectives of the family worship

• Educational

• Therapeutic

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