The Reflective Family: Growing in Wisdom and UnderstandingSample

Imagine a family that loves to pause, ponder, and dive deep into life's big questions. That's what we call a Reflective Family. These families are like explorers of the inner world, always seeking to understand themselves, each other, and the world around them more deeply.

At the heart of a Reflective Family is a strong sense of identity. They spend a lot of time thinking about who they are - as individuals and as a family unit. They're good at asking and answering the question "Who are we?" This helps them stay true to themselves, even when life gets complicated.

Reflective Families are curious and always eager to learn. They're not afraid to ask tough questions or to look at things from different angles. They're like detectives, always searching for deeper meanings and hidden truths.

One great example from the Bible is King Solomon. He didn't just accept his role as king at face value. Instead, he asked God for wisdom to lead well. He spent time thinking deeply about life, which led him to write books like Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. These books are full of the kind of deep thoughts that Reflective Families love to discuss.

In a Reflective Family, you might find:

• Lots of meaningful conversations about life, values, and beliefs

• A willingness to look at both the good and the challenging parts of life

• A habit of taking time to think before making big decisions

• An openness to learning from mistakes and growing together

Proverbs 4:7 says, "The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding." This verse could be a motto for Reflective Families. They know that understanding is worth the effort it takes to gain it.

Being a Reflective Family doesn't mean you have all the answers. But it does mean you're always seeking to learn, grow, and understand more deeply.

As we explore what it means to be a Reflective Family this week, let's think about how we can use our gift of reflection to grow closer to each other and God.

Questions:

1. What's a deep question your family has discussed recently? How did that conversation help you understand each other better?

2. How does taking time to reflect help your family make decisions?

3. In what ways does your family's reflective nature help you grow in your faith?

4. What's one area of your family life that you'd like to reflect on more deeply?