Family Values: Putting First Things First

We will choose to _______________________________________ doing what we _____________________________.

Matthew 6:21

The specific things we _________ will __________________________.

Our ____________________________________ should never change.  

Matthew 6:33

Sometimes we must _________________________________________ in order to ______________________________________________. 

1 Timothy 4:7b-8

Sometimes we must _________________________________________ in order to ______________________________________________. 

Luke 10:38-42 NLT

Reflection: What is your greatest priority?

Psalm 90:9-10, 12  
9 For all our days pass away under your wrath; we bring our years to an end like a sigh.  10 The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away. 12 So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.

 

This Week’s Family Challenge

This week there was an illustration that used rocks, pebbles and sand in a jar as an illustration.  The point of it was that sometimes we fill our life with the little things instead of putting in the most important things first.  Then we find ourselves with no time for what is supposed to take highest priority… Jesus.

Set aside about 45 minutes for this activity.

For Families or Individuals:

  1. Discuss: What unimportant/trivial things (sand/pebbles) are getting in the way of our devotion to Jesus? What things have taken too great of a priority in our life?
  2. Discuss: What should be the first thing (biggest rock) in your life?

Write that down on the rock.

  1. Discuss: What are some things you could do to keep this as first priority in your family.

List those ideas below.

  1. Decide: Of those ideas, which 3 or 4 are most important/helpful to keeping this priority?

Write a word or phrase on the rock in a different color to represent each of them.

  1. Discuss: What will be some of the challenges you will face in keeping this commitment?

When you are finished, put the rock in a place where you will see it often as a reminder of your commitment to keep this priority at the forefront of your life.