Calvary highly recommends that every family designate one night a week for Family Night. Life is busy, and if we don’t plan to spend time together and enjoy each other, our most important relationships can be neglected.

Planning one night each week is valuable for the time and interaction itself. It also helps us refocus on those important relationships. It takes work to block out the same night every week. No doubt, an exception may have to be made from time to time, but you show your priorities when you are able to make it happen consistently. We find that most families really look forward to Family Night! 

So, what is Family Night? We suggest that you choose a consistent night each week and plan to include these elements:

• Dinner — Have a fun dinner together! Let the kids contribute their ideas about favorite foods for the menu.
• Clean up — After dinner, clean the kitchen together. You’re a team, and everyone can contribute to the job!
• Devotions — Have a family devotional. Read Scripture together and discuss its meaning. Pray together and for each other. And if you are really adventurous, sing a favorite chorus or hymn.
• Fun — Participate in some kind of fun activity. It could be a board game. If your kids like to make crafts or build things, go in that direction. The point is to enjoy each other and laugh together. Relationships are vital in leading your children. Laughter and fun deepen these relationships!
• Dessert — Eat dessert! You can work together to make a fruit salad, chocolate chip cookies, or whatever treat your family enjoys.

You have accomplished a number of important things when you become intentional with Family Night: 

• You spend time together building relationships and staying connected.
• You instruct your kids with God’s Word.
• You pray — thanking God for His goodness and asking for His guidance and provision. 
• You build heart connections by sharing and laughing together. 
• On a weekly basis, you put in place some important experiences that drive the rest of the week. And really the rest of your parenting!

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise." — Deuteronomy 6:5–7

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Contacts: Pastor Nathaniel Pearce, 704.341.5424, npearce@calvarychurch.com