Someone once said, “Failure to plan is a plan to fail.” That is true not only in the business world, but in our personal lives, and in the lives of a family. Each year, a family should have some specific ways to grow that will bring glory to God and help that family to grow stronger in their relationship with God, with each other, with their church family, and with others outside their home and church. Here are 11 ways your family, or you as an individual, can grow:
1. Love God – Matthew 22:37-38
Matthew 22:37 And He said to him, “‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ 38 “This is the great and foremost commandment.
2. Know our Lord and Savior – Daniel 11:32; 2 Peter 3:18
Daniel 11:32 “. . . but the people who know their God will display strength and take action.”
2 Peter 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
3. Think and act like Jesus – Phil. 2:5
Philippians 2:5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,
4. Pray to God more often – Hebrews 4:16
Hebrews 4:16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
5. Serve God – Colossians 3:23-24
Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.
6. Worship God – Psalm 29:2
Psalm 29:2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to His name; Worship the LORD in holy array.
7. Share the Gospel – Romans 1:16
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
8. Show compassion to others – 1 John 3:17
1 John 3:17 But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?
9. Be a servant to each other (to others outside your family) – Galatians 5:13
Galatians 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
10. Spend quality time together (worshipping, praying, serving, fun times, vacation, etc.)
Mark 6:31 And He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.” (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.)
11. Build strong relationships with other families within or outside of the church
Matthew 5:16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
Romans 12:9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; 11 not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, 13 contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.