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...