Create rhythms of rest and presence
If someone watched your family’s daily life, what would they define as "normal"? This session explores the power of household habits—the small, repetitive actions that create the culture of our homes. From "Three Good Things" at the dinner table to birthday traditions that speak life into family members, our habits sustain us during hard seasons and act as a blueprint for our children.
The speakers discuss the difference between "survival habits" (like mindless scrolling at the end of the day) and "life-giving habits" that yield fruit over time. We are reminded that children are always watching and often mimic what they see—whether it's how we treat our health or how we treat our Bibles. By "going first" in healthy habits, we aren't just managing our schedules; we are planting ourselves like trees by "streams of water," ensuring that our family's roots run deep enough to withstand the pressures of life.
- Habits Create Normalcy – What you do consistently becomes the standard for what your kids believe is "normal" in life and faith.
- Survival vs. Purpose – It’s easy to slip into habits out of exhaustion (like phone use), but we have the freedom to consciously start new, productive routines.
- The Mimic Effect – You don't always have to "teach" your kids what to do; often, they will simply do what they see you doing.
- Explain the "Why" – Don't just do healthy things in private. Let your kids into your world and explain why you pray, journal, or call friends for support.
- Which of your habits are your children learning from?
- Where do you struggle most in your own faith?
- What one step will you take this week?
- Think of a habit from your own childhood home. Was it life-giving or did it create stress? How has that influenced the way you run your home today?
- The session mentions "survival habits" (like 80 minutes of scrolling). What is one "survival habit" you’d like to trade for a "life-giving habit" this week?
- Do your children have context for your spiritual life? What is one way you can "let them into your world" and show them how you connect with God?
- Psalm 1 says the person who meditates on God’s word is like a tree planted by water. Does your current daily routine feel like it’s "planting" you near a stream or in a desert?
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“Father, open my heart to lead my family with the faith I claim to hold. Give me courage to be honest about my own journey with you, and wisdom to show my children what it means to surrender everything to your care.”