Theron and Mizpah Glenny, Co-Founders of Arrows Christian Academy, talk about 'family values.'

The values you cultivate create the culture you live in…and the fruit of your life.

The word ‘cultivate’ means to foster the growth of something.

Galatians 6:7 - Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

Whatever is cultivated (sown and nurtured, fostered for growth) in your ‘garden’ is what comes out of the garden…the fruit.

The values you cultivate in your culture are what you will reap from your culture.

Matthew 7:16-18 - You will know them by their fruits…Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.

We want our family to be known for good fruit…that we carry peace, joy, love, and purpose.

Take the time necessary to identify your family values.

In your family, take time to develop them with the Lord and with your spouse, then talk through them with your kids.

Write them out, post them on your wall somewhere…let them be reminders to you. Ours are on the wall in our dining room.

Remember, it takes time to identify and develop your family values (it took us years!), but it’s worth it. Why? They’ll be guiding principles you’ll come back to over and over to help guide you through the seasons of life.

Here are our values. Feel free to steal them for your own if they resonate.

1. On earth as it is in heaven.

For us, our #1 priority is to bring His presence and display His Kingdom to earth.

We look for opportunities to expose our kids to the supernatural, and experience God's presence and things bigger than themselves.

2. We are created on purpose for a purpose

Our family is a team, everyone has a purpose and plays a vital role (culture of honor)

for chores around the house, good reminder that we are a team…we work together to keep the house running.

We see the value and gold in in each other - It’s easy to find dirt, but it takes work to find the gold

Our kids' names mean something so when we say their names, there’s purpose and power in declaring not just their names, but what their names mean.

We speak well of one another…in our home and outside our home.

3. We are made for connection with God and with each other

Prioritize connection over being right

In discipline, we seek to understand...and help them understand our 'why'

For true connection, we have to become un-offendable

Don’t allow ourselves to hold on to hurts/grudges/offenses

4. We are contributors, creators, initiators, builders

We are not designed to be just consumers or bystanders.

It's easy to become a consumer and just let things happen, but we believe God made us to contribute, to start things, to build things, to create.

5. We are a thank-full people. We are FULL of thanksgiving and gratitude.

What is one of your family values?