Setting the Standard
Defining Your Family’s Biblical Core Values
Joshua 24:15
15 But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”
I. YOUR FAMILY NEEDS A CLEAR STANDARD
Joshua 24:15 begins with two incredibly important words: “As for me…”
II. YOUR FAMILY VALUES SHOULD COME FROM GOD'S WORD
Deuteronomy 6:4–7 says: “Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. 5 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. 6 And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. 7 Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.
1. We Put God First
Matthew 6:33 says: “33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously,..”
2. We Love People
Matthew 22:37-39. Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.
3. We Tell the Truth
Proverbs 12:22 says:“The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth.”
4. We Serve Others
Mark 10:45 says: “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.””
III. YOUR VALUES MUST GUIDE YOUR DECISIONS
Joshua 24:10 …we will serve the Lord
When you're deciding how your Family will respond to life decisions, ask:
1. Does this help or hinder the values we're trying to establish?
2. Is this helping us become the people God wants us to be?
3. What does our calendar communicate about what we value?
4. Does the way we handle money reflect biblical stewardship?
5. How would Jesus want us to handle this?
CONCLUSION-CHALLENGE: WRITE YOUR FAMILY VALUES
This week, I want every family to do something practical. Sit down together and answer this question:
What do we want our family to be known for?
Then identify five biblical values.
For example:
OUR FAMILY VALUES
1. God First
We will put God at the center of our lives and decisions.
2. Love
We will treat others with the love of Christ.
3. Integrity
We will tell the truth and do what is right.
4. Service
We will look for opportunities to serve others.
5. Grace
We will forgive, encourage, and extend grace to one another.
Then put those values somewhere you will see them. Like On the refrigerator, On a wall, In your family Bible.or On your phone.
15 But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”
I. YOUR FAMILY NEEDS A CLEAR STANDARD
Joshua 24:15 begins with two incredibly important words: “As for me…”
II. YOUR FAMILY VALUES SHOULD COME FROM GOD'S WORD
Deuteronomy 6:4–7 says: “Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. 5 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. 6 And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. 7 Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.
1. We Put God First
Matthew 6:33 says: “33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously,..”
2. We Love People
Matthew 22:37-39. Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.
3. We Tell the Truth
Proverbs 12:22 says:“The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth.”
4. We Serve Others
Mark 10:45 says: “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.””
III. YOUR VALUES MUST GUIDE YOUR DECISIONS
Joshua 24:10 …we will serve the Lord
When you're deciding how your Family will respond to life decisions, ask:
1. Does this help or hinder the values we're trying to establish?
2. Is this helping us become the people God wants us to be?
3. What does our calendar communicate about what we value?
4. Does the way we handle money reflect biblical stewardship?
5. How would Jesus want us to handle this?
CONCLUSION-CHALLENGE: WRITE YOUR FAMILY VALUES
This week, I want every family to do something practical. Sit down together and answer this question:
What do we want our family to be known for?
Then identify five biblical values.
For example:
OUR FAMILY VALUES
1. God First
We will put God at the center of our lives and decisions.
2. Love
We will treat others with the love of Christ.
3. Integrity
We will tell the truth and do what is right.
4. Service
We will look for opportunities to serve others.
5. Grace
We will forgive, encourage, and extend grace to one another.
Then put those values somewhere you will see them. Like On the refrigerator, On a wall, In your family Bible.or On your phone.