Life as a married couple or family is a journey filled with countless decisions—big and small—that shape the course of your shared life. From career choices and financial decisions to parenting and household matters, how do you ensure that your choices align with your faith and values as a family? Here's a practical guide rooted in Christian principles to help you navigate life's decisions together:

1. Align your hearts: Before making any decision, take time to align your hearts as a couple or family. Discuss your motives and intentions—are you seeking to honor God and serve each other, or are you driven by selfish desires or external pressures? Proverbs 16:3 reminds us to commit our plans to the Lord, trusting that He will establish our steps.

2. Seek wisdom from Scripture: The Bible is a treasure trove of wisdom for every aspect of life, including marriage and family. Take time to study relevant Scriptures together and seek guidance from God's Word. Whether it's about communication, finances, parenting, or relationships, you'll find timeless principles to guide your decisions.

3. Embrace lifelong learning: Marriage and parenthood are journeys of continual growth and learning. Embrace opportunities to deepen your understanding of God's principles and how they apply to your family life. Proverbs 18:15 encourages us to seek knowledge, recognizing that it leads to discernment and wise choices.

4. Seek counsel from wise mentors: Surround yourselves with wise mentors—whether older couples, pastors, or trusted friends—who can offer godly advice and perspective. Proverbs 15:22 reminds us that plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers, they succeed.

5. Make prayer a family practice: Prayer is the bedrock of a strong marriage and family. Make it a habit to pray together as a couple and as a family, seeking God's guidance and wisdom in all decisions. Philippians 4:6-7 assures us that when we bring our requests to God with thanksgiving, his peace will guard our hearts and minds.

6. Listen for God's voice together: Cultivate a listening heart as a couple and family, discerning God's voice through prayer, Scripture, and quiet reflection. Proverbs 3:6 reminds us to acknowledge God in all our ways, trusting him to direct our paths.

7. Look for confirmation: Sometimes, God speaks to us through external signs or providential circumstances that affirm His leading in our lives. We can also seek confirmation from God through the unity and peace that come from making decisions together with our loved ones. When you and your spouse or family are in agreement, it can be a powerful confirmation of God's leading. Acts 15:28 says, "It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us," indicating the importance of seeking confirmation through spiritual discernment.

8. Embrace growth through decision-making: Every decision you make as a couple or family is an opportunity for growth and unity. Trust that even if outcomes differ from your expectations, God is at work, shaping you and strengthening your bond as a family. Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages us to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and lean not on our own understanding, acknowledging Him in all our ways.

Discussion Questions

1. How do you ensure that your decisions as a couple or family are aligned with your faith and values?
2. Why is seeking wisdom from Scripture important when making decisions as a married couple or family?
3. How can lifelong learning and growth contribute to making wiser decisions in marriage and family life?
4. In what ways do wise mentors and counselors play a role in helping navigate important decisions in marriage and family relationships?
5. What are some practical ways to make prayer a regular practice within your family, especially when faced with significant decisions?
6. How do you cultivate a listening heart as a couple or family to discern God's voice in decision-making processes?
7. Why is unity and agreement within the family considered important confirmation of God's leading in decision-making?
8. How do you view the concept of growth through decision-making, especially when outcomes differ from your expectations?
9. Reflect on Proverbs 3:5-6 and discuss how trusting in God's providence can impact your approach to decision-making as a couple or family.
10. Share an example of a decision you made as a couple or family where you felt God's guidance and leading. How did this experience shape your faith and relationship?

As you journey through life together as a married couple or family, remember that you're not alone. With faith as your foundation and God as your guide, you can confidently navigate life's decisions, knowing that he is faithful to lead you every step of the way.

Blessings,
Wilfred Graves Jr.
www.wilfredgraves.org