Good morning, Five Minute Families! What an exciting time to be alive and living for the Lord. We know by His word that the love of many will grow cold but that the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. Don’t give in to the hate, and do not give up on all the Lord has planned for your family. Five Minute Families, what can YOU do to continue to walk with Him during these unsettling times?

This week we want to pull out five ideas for you that come from a youVersion Bible plan devotional by Craig Groeschel called the Six Steps to Your Best Leadership. One of our sayings for families who come to Clear View Retreat is composed of three simple words: “Hope. Connect. Strengthen.”

Remember, God wants families to hope in Him and each other. Hebrews 6:19 says, “we have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.”

God wants families connected to Him and to each other. John 15:12-13 reminds us that God’s “command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

And, God wants families strengthened to face the trials TOGETHER that come during our earthly time. 2 Corinthians 12:10 encourages us to “take pleasure in weakness, insults, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

How do families who are struggling, or even families who simply want to go further in their relationships achieve living their best lives for the Lord in the midst of the chaos of everyday living? How? Well, to paraphrase a statement from Groeschel’s study: Families must “take action on information that leads to transformation.” But, HOW do we take that action?

Here are five ideas to think through to build up your family and your impact in God’s kingdom.

1. A Discipline to Start: A few months ago, we walked through our curriculum of finding your family’s unique identity. When you know who you are, or who you want to become, you’ll know what to do. Based on who you are as a family, what spiritual discipline do you need to start?
2. The Courage to Stop: Based on who your family wants to become, what do you need the courage to stop? This is not just bad habits; it may be something good that you need to step away from in order to achieve something great.
3. A System to Create: Most individuals run better with routine; when we multiply that by any factor, meaning members of a family, the chaos can be overwhelming without routine. Do you have problems with scheduling that need to be addressed for everyone to achieve his or her potential? What routines do you need to create to get the result you want?
4. A Relationship to Initiate: Does your family need a mentor or mentoring family? Do you need deeper relationships within your biblical community to become what you want to become together? You could be one familial relationship away from changing the course of your calling.
5. A Risk You Need to Take: “Based on who you want to become and what you want to do, what risk do you need to take? If your family always waits until you’re ready, you’ll always be late.”

That list may seem daunting, but don’t forget what we encourage you here on Five Minute Family, find five minutes – either grouped together or scattered throughout the day – to devote to making the transformation for your family. Five minutes could be the start your family needs to go from good to great.

Again, change is not always easy, but the fulfillment of being in the place God wants your family to be brings a sweetness and peace that is indescribable. As families journey together in life they need encouragement and discipleship to help them stay on His track, Clear View Retreat Family Camp is a great place to start or continue on that journey.

Check us out at Clearviewretreat.org. We pray that you and yours can find that sweetness and peace as you seek the Lord this week. Have a blessed day!