March 2, 2020

Weekly Reflections – Intentional Families I

Intentional Families I:

This is the second weekly reflection in a series on “Forming Intentional Families.” We will be addressing each of ten tenets over the coming ten weeks. The producers of this program wisely wrote, “Intentional means that we do more than just react to life. Instead, we must create a vision, make purposeful choices, and then decisively take action to make our families all that God desires them to be.” Can you choose to be intentional when it comes to your family?

You might begin a notebook and place each week’s offering in it. And then share the information within your family. How can your family become more intentional in living out God’s plan for you? Please write it down and place it in your notebook.

Blessings and peace,

Chaplain Allen
chaplain@nationsu.edu
chaplainscorner.org

TENET 1: SET FAMILY PRIORITIES

God always comes first.

He is the Creator; we are the created, made to adore and to be in personal relationship with Him.

A God-centered life provides clarity of purpose and peace.

Husband and wife come second.

The first vocation of husband and wife is to the marital state, focusing their covenant love on one another.

The best thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother; the best thing a mother can do for her children is to love their father.

Children come third.

Children reflect the Father’s work of creation.

Children participate; in the self-giving love of the family.

God, couple and child/children (natural or adopted) form the trinity of the family.

“You shall love the Lord, your God, 
with all your heart, with all your being,
with all your strength, and with all your mind,
and your neighbor as yourself.”   (Luke 10:37)

The Ten Tenets of the “Forming Intentional Families” program.

1. Set family priorities.
2. Share family meals.
3. Lead family prayer and teach the faith.
4. Manage/limit media intake.
5. Control pace of life.
6. Forgive easily and often/ask for forgiveness.
7. Encourage active listening/open and honest communication.
8. Schedule family fun and play time.
9. Teach/model responsibility and accountability.
10. Acknowledge and share our gifts and talents.

Source: This program was developed over several years by the St. Laurence Pastoral Council (distributed April 2019) in Sugar Land, Texas.

Note: The opinions expressed in this Reflection are intended to be those of the author alone based on his understanding of the Bible and how God works with his people.

Read more reflections, Intentional Families