“Family First” is a phrase that emphasizes the importance of prioritizing one’s family above all else. It is often used to encourage people to put their family’s needs and well-being before their own. The phrase is also used by organizations that provide resources and support to families, such as Family First, a non-profit organization that offers parenting, marriage, and relational truths to help people love their family well and give them greater hope for the future. They provide resources for dads, moms, and kids on topics such as marriage, discipline, communication, and more.

1. SPIRITUAL GROWTH
OF YOUR FAMILY
By Jonas & Raquel Arrais
General Conference Ministerial Association

2. A HEALTHY FAMILY
Needs:
• A strong marriage commitment
• Appreciation and affirmation
• Effective communication
• Spiritual commitment
• Skills to deal with crisis and conflicts

3. FAMILY LIFE
OUR FIRST MINISTRY!

4. STRESS FACTORS
• Usually overloaded
• No time for the family
• Struggle to survive
• Concern for the future
• Education of the children
• Financial and health problems
• Losses

5. Ellen White wrote:
“The greatest evidence of the power of Christianity
that can be presented to the world is a well-
ordered, well-disciplined family.”
—Adventist Home, p. 32

6. IMPORTANT CONCEPTS
• Christianity is a centralized life in love.
“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
—1 John 4:8

7. • Home is a place to learn love
If love does not work at home, does not work anywhere else.

8. • Love is a quality that is developed
o Nobody is born loving.
o We are born with the need and potential to love.
o Love is learned.
o That’s why God created the home!

9. Four of the 10 Commandments relate directly or
indirectly to the home.

10. • Second Commandment: Children tend to follow
the example of their parents.
• Fourth Commandment: The Sabbath rest
includes the entire family.
• Fifth Commandment: Children of any age have
responsibility toward their parents.
• Tenth Commandment: Admire your
own spouse, not the neighbor’s.

11. Taking care of our family should be a priority
over everything else—except over God
Himself.

12. RECIPE FOR A HAPPY FAMILY
1. Spend quality time regularly
• The greatest gift you can give your family is
you—yourself!
• Real, quality, and sufficient time.
• Fulfill your promise.

13. • Allow time for small tasks
o Work as a team.
o Undertake something together.
o Have rituals.
o Set and discuss priorities.

14. 2. Communicate well
• Communicate with your spouse in a
meaningful way:
oListen lovingly
oListen without judging
oShare problems and triumphs
oCommunicate at a deeper level
• Intimacy
• Romance

15. • Communicate with your children appropriately:
o Verbal communication should cover both
speaking and listening. It should be age-
appropriate, respectful, and friendly.
o Appropriate touch is important.
o Body language affects how they react.

16. 3. Affirm frequently
• Express appreciation.
• Say, Thank You!
• Beware of criticism.
• Always look for something good and positive.
• Accompany and support your spouse.

17. 4. Pray daily
• Set the family altar as a daily top priority.
• Make the family worship a happy experience.
• Share the spiritual leadership.

18. Objectives of the family worship
• Educational
• Therapeutic
• Redemptive

19. To build a happy family could bring some
challenges, but the effort is worthy!

20. “A well-ordered, a well-disciplined family in the
sight of God is more precious than fine gold. . .
One well-ordered, well-disciplined family tells more
in behalf of Christianity than all the sermons that
can be preached.”
—Adventist Home, p. 32