Tuesday, November 04, 2008

Quality Is Job #1 -- Blogger Friend School #108

Intro: Quality is Job #1 (Ford)

Memory Verse: I Timothy 4:12-13 - Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

Assignment: My family and I rarely do anything apart from each other. We don’t really have quality time together because all our time is together. We feel like the more special moments are when we have dinner together or when we worship God together. For this assignment, tell how you and your family spend QUALITY time together.



For years I've heard and read about "quality time" versus "quantity time". I really think that both are important. Our family of eight lives in a house (and shop) that measures 23x46 feet with an uptairs addition of 12x20 feet for the boys' room. Quantity of time is never an issue.

As a family, we do most things together, too. Family prayer and devotion time, church on Sunday and Wednesday, school every day (except when it's so hot that no one wants to think, so we cancel school). In the States, we did AWANA, 4-H, dance classes, orchestra, soccer -- pretty much "all together". It just always worked better to keep everyone going the same direction when the kids were little.

The kids are getting older now and are developing their own interests. Doug and I try to encourage their individual giftings as much as we can by doing things in "small groups" as well as "family things". The boys take turns helping Doug with projects around the house, at the church and around town. Sarah and I have a weekly "date" as we go to Guasave for her French class. Evie loves to help in the kitchen and we play games together.

It's important, though, to not forsake family time. Quite honestly, "Family Time" can be stressful. I wouldn't actually say that playing a game of Star Wars Trivial Pursuit with the whole family is a relaxing pasttime. Usually someone loses their temper and gets sent away from the game. Sometimes it's me. ;^) But I have my reasons for forcing everyone to join in (and they are Biblical reasons!)...

I think I could do an hour-long teaching on the topic, actually, but I'll spare you and just share the "outline". If you really want me to get long-winded, send me an email! :^)

My verse for the week is Hebrews 10:25
"Not forsaking the assembling of yourselves together,
as is the manner of some, but exhorting one-another,
and so much the more as you see the day approaching."

Now, I've always heard this verse used in reference to the weekly assembly of the Saints, but wouldn't you agree that we sometimes "forsake" getting together as a family because...let's face it...its' HARD!!! Here are the things we struggle with during your typical game of Killer Bunnies:

  • Not losing our temper (Ephesians 4:26)
  • Resolving conflict Biblically (Ephesians 4:2)
  • Using kind voices (Ephesians 4:29)
  • Putting others first (Ephesians 5:2)
  • Forgiving (Ephesians 4:32)
  • Encouraging one another (Ephesians 4:25)
  • Treating others as we wish to be treated (Matthew 7:12)
  • Remembering that we are a family with the same Spirit and purpose (Ephesians 4:3)

SOOO -- Memorize the 4th chapter of Ephesians and pull out the Pacheesi board and have a great time playing together...and quoting scripture to yourself as your 9 year old repeatedly sends you back home and your 14 year old blocks the path for 20 moves. Not that that ever happens here...

Killer Bunnies at the Coults'


Click here to get around to it!

7 comments:

Sombra said...

you finally got a round tuit! congrats

Your post - perfect - my sentiments exactly!

Mrs. Sombra
BFS Teacher

Blu Grey said...

You are so right. Forsaking is exactly the right word to use. It's sad that family time is often first to be sacrificed when things get busy. Great post!

Anonymous said...

WONDERFUL!!! You said everything I was thinking to a TEE! Thank you so much for sharing.

Mrs. Nancy

Lori said...

I was laughing reading this because I can so relate to "family time not always being relaxing" I have just grand ideas for game nights and such and they don't turn out how I plan most of the time. Especially playing games with a 10,5,3,and 2 year old. LOL
Thanks for sharing.
Lori

tammy said...

Ah, yes...we have had some of those not so wonderful family moments together. :) It's great that you included scripture verses for all the things that can go wrong when playing games with kids. Great post!

MrsMomma said...

Oh! Star Wars Trivial Pursuit. Now that sounds fun!

Sheri said...

The game playing can be very stressful...we have to re-establish good sportsmanship rules before we delve into a family game time...someone is always getting bent out of shape. I have to keep reminding them that it is only a game and there are far more important things in the world...when all goes well, it is a lovely, memory-making time.
Have a blessed weekend and don't roast too much in the Mexican heat!