Family Life Honor

Missionary & Community Activities

Requirements

  1. Using the book "The Adventist Home" by Ellen G. White as the basis for your research, summarize in at least 250 words each the role of each member within your family:
    • Father
    • Mother
    • Children

    Answer: FATHER: material provider, spiritual leader and 'priest' of the home (EGW). He leads family worship, instructs in the Bible, exercises authority with love (not tyranny), and is an example of Christ (Eph 5:25). He provides sustenance, security and a moral reference for the children. — Ellen White wrote 'The Adventist Home' (1952) compiling her texts on the family — she affirms that 'the mother who is united with Christ has the greatest influence over the next generation', a principle that emphasizes the maternal role as irreplaceable in the Christian formation of children.

  2. Look in the Bible for 3 family stories. Identify the father, the mother, the family tree with the children and grandchildren. Research and report in a paragraph the relationship between them, their conflicts, their family interactions, etc. Identify God's plans for each of the families studied.

    Answer: (1) ADAM and EVE — children: Cain, Abel, Seth; grandchildren: Enoch (son of Cain), Enosh (son of Seth). Conflict: Cain kills Abel out of envy (Gen 4); God's plan: to remake humanity through Seth (the lineage of the Messiah). (2) ABRAHAM and SARAH — the son of the promise, Isaac. — The story of Joseph (Genesis 37-50) is one of the richest in family tension — sold by his brothers out of envy, he becomes the second most powerful man in Egypt and forgives, saying: 'you indeed meant evil against me, but God turned it into good' (Gen 50:20).

  3. Research the role of the family in society 20-30 years ago (in your parents' or grandparents' time) in contrast with the present day in relation to:
    • Morals
    • Customs
    • Respect for elders
    • School education
    • Marital relationships and dating
    • Cite the bibliography and sources used.

    Answer: MORALS: 20-30 years ago Christian values were predominant; today widespread moral relativism, sexual liberalization. CUSTOMS: formal before (courtesy, dressing well); today casual and individualistic. — According to the IBGE, the divorce rate in Brazil grew more than 200% in 30 years — in 1990 there were 30,000 annual divorces; in 2020 it reached 387,000, reflecting the radical transformation of contemporary modern Brazilian marital relationships.

  4. Report, in the form of a diary, over one week some characteristics of the family relationship: of your parents or guardians, of yourself, of your siblings (if you have any), and of the close relatives with whom you live.
    • Conflicts and tensions
    • Respect for elders
    • Authority of parents or guardians

    Answer: The 'reflective family diary' technique is validated by positive psychology studies — recording interactions for 7 days generates 30% greater relational awareness than merely experiencing them, according to the work of Sonja Lyubomirsky and Martin Seligman.

  5. Write a paragraph about some of the positive things in your family. Include the things you are proud of and the good qualities and accomplishments of your family.

    Answer: Write 1 paragraph (10-15 lines) about positive aspects: family traditions (worship, meals together, trips, celebrations), achievements (academic education of members, home ownership, financial sustainability), shared values (faith, honesty, hospitality), mutual support in crises, unity in difficult times, examples of members (grandparents who persevered in the faith, parents who dedicated themselves to their children's education), inspiring stories handed down. — Positive psychology shows that writing 3 things we are grateful for daily (a gratitude journal) reduces depression by up to 40% according to studies by Robert Emmons of UC Davis — an exercise that also applies to reflecting on the family.

  6. Make a list of some things your family spends money on. Explain your responsibility in the family finances.

    Answer: A typical list of family expenses: 1) HOUSING — rent or mortgage, property tax, condominium fees, electricity, water, gas and internet bills; 2) FOOD — supermarket, market, meals; 3) TRANSPORTATION — fuel, bus, car maintenance; 4) HEALTH — insurance, medications, appointments; 5) EDUCATION — school, supplies, courses; 6) CLOTHING — clothes and shoes; 7) LEISURE — outings, subscriptions; 8) COMMITMENTS TO GOD — tithes and offerings. My responsibility in the family finances: helping to save (turning off lights, avoiding waste of water and food), taking good care of my belongings so they last, not making requests for unnecessary expenses, contributing with small tasks that reduce costs and, according to my age, helping to save and wisely manage what I receive, remembering that money is a blessing from God to be used well. — The Adventist concept of 'Christian stewardship' teaches that everything belongs to God — we are temporary administrators; the tithe (10%) returns to the Lord, and the rest should be used with wisdom, without waste and always with gratitude for the divine provision.

  7. Make a list of family activities that you think your family would enjoy. Do at least one of these activities in fulfillment of the Honor.

    Answer: Suggested list: (1) daily or weekly family worship; (2) a family meal with meaningful conversation (no cell phones); (3) board games (Monopoly, Catan, dominoes, cards); (4) an outdoor outing (park, trail, picnic); (5) a movie at home with popcorn. — Studies by the Family Research Council show that families who have at least 3 weekly meals together have 35% fewer cases of drugs, depression and dropping out of school among adolescents — the power of in-person time is irreplaceable by any technology.

  8. For 1 month, with as many members of your family as possible, create a routine for Family Worship, morning or evening, as well as the Friday Sunset Worship.

    Answer: Suggested routine (15-25 min daily): (1) Beginning — a family hymn or Christian music; (2) Bible reading — a short passage (1 chapter or 5-10 verses), following a plan (Psalms, Proverbs or a scheduled book). — Ellen White recommends morning worship BEFORE breakfast ('the best start to the day') and evening worship BEFORE dark — a principle applied in traditional Adventist families for more than 150 years with proven results in young people's faithfulness to the faith.

  9. Mention 5 ways to show attention, interaction and interest toward your neighbors. Put one of these ways into practice. Make a report on the result.

    Answer: Five ways to show attention, interaction and interest toward neighbors: 1) greet them cordially whenever you meet (good morning, good afternoon, good evening); 2) bring food on special dates (birthdays, homemade bread at Christmas, cookies at Easter); 3) help when they are sick or in difficulty (do the shopping, take them to the doctor, look after the children); 4) offer help with tasks (carrying bags, lending tools, assisting with moving or small repairs); 5) invite them to moments of fellowship (a conversation, a snack, a church/club service or event). Put one of these ways into practice and make a report on the result. — Jesus exemplified love for one's neighbor in the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) — a neighbor is not only the one who lives next door, but anyone in need. Small, continuous gestures open doors to Christian witness more than aggressive direct preaching.

  10. Cite at least 5 Sabbath activities that can be carried out by your family that are in accordance with the Bible. If possible, carry out at least one of these activities and report the result.

    Answer: Five Sabbath activities in accordance with the Bible: 1) GO to church for Sabbath School and the divine service — fellowship with the church (Hebrews 10:25); 2) family Bible STUDY, with reading, questions and prayer; 3) a WALK in nature appreciating creation (Psalm 19:1, 'the heavens declare the glory of God'); 4) VISIT and help the needy, the sick or the elderly, practicing good on the Sabbath, as Jesus did (Matthew 12:12); 5) SING hymns and listen to/read Bible stories as a family, closing with sunset worship. If possible, carry out at least one of these activities and report the result. — Isaiah 58:13 teaches the Sabbath principle: 'not doing your own ways, nor seeking your own pleasure, nor speaking your own words' — the Sabbath is a day of rest, communion with God and compassionate actions, not of secular entertainment or professional work.