Psalm 79:13 Exodus 20:4-6 Psalm 90:1-4 Mark 8:27-30 Joshua 24:14-15 Philippians 4:6 1 Peter 5:7 Questions for Consideration i.) Is there anything more at play in your daily life than your family (past, present & future?) How so? ii.) Who were the most important familial influencers in the first 10 or 20 years of your life? What were the most important things they “gave” you? (These may not necessarily be positive.) iii.) As you recall those familial influencers in your early life are there other people now in your life walking in the footsteps of those who first touched you so importantly? In what ways? iv.) Do we outgrow our family influences? v.) Would you think that the church, your workplace, your school, a volunteer organization you belong to is, or can be, very much like a family? Application i.) Sit down with your parents, or your children, your siblings and without judgment compare notes as to what were the major strengths and challenges of your family? ii.) Recall whether you felt you could be an individual in your family (or in your workplace now), were there, are there deep secrets that you knew should never be divulged? Are there triangles, sort of alliances between some people in your family (workplace, school, club) and not with others? Can we live without anxiety in our “families”? iii.) Ask others around you what makes a good to great “family” leader? What’s most important in a leader? Self-awareness or charisma? Integrity or knowledge? Expertise or character?