Principle 4: Work As A Team.

UNCOMMON WISDOM

A house is built by wisdom and becomes strong through good sense. Through knowledge its rooms are filled with all sorts of precious riches and valuables.

—Proverbs 24:3-4

UNCOMMON PRACTICE

Take a few moments to select one of this week’s practices to explore further. The related Adventure Application appears just below each practice. If you’d prefer to come up with a different way of living out that practice this week, feel free to discuss what that might look like.

Establish household routines to cut down on confusion and stress, but prioritize relationships over structure.

How well do you and your spouse balance the need for both household order and relationship building? Which comes easier for you? What is one step you can take this week to strengthen the area that doesn’t come as naturally?

Stay connected through date nights and joint activities.

Do you have a date night scheduled sometime in the next month? If not, take a few minutes to discuss a fun activity you could do together. Then get out your calendar and schedule it.

Don’t rush into making major decisions.

Is your family facing a difficult decision? If so, are you waiting on God and listening for His voice? If you’re not in decision-making mode now, how can you prepare yourself so you’re ready the next time you face a major turning point?

Consistently demonstrate support for your spouse.

Take a moment to reconsider what love is and what it is not, according to today’s Scripture passage. Discuss which one attribute you most want to develop so you can love your spouse better.

Cherish every moment with family members.

Spend a few minutes today reminiscing about some treasured times spent with either your kids or with other family members or friends. You might even ask your kids what their favorite family memory is. Prepare to be surprised!

Treat your kids’ sports and other activities as being just as important as anything else on your family calendar.

What can you do this week to let your kids know that their activities matter as much to you as your own?

UNCOMMON PRAYER

Take a few minutes to discuss any praises and needs you’d like to bring to God as a couple. Then, in addition to praying about those things, use one or more of the following prayer prompts to ask for God’s strength and wisdom as you seek to work as a team.

Take turns praising God for at least one specific way your partner served you this week—whether it was by giving you a warm smile, a word of encouragement, or practical help around the house.

Confess any times you’ve taken each other for granted or neglected to thank your spouse for his or her care and support.

Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you as you make decisions—large or small—and to direct you both so that you reach mutual agreement.