Great Questions You Need to Encourage Your Family

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I don’t know what it’s like at your house, but it doesn’t seem like it’s getting easier for families to slow down and connect over meaningful conversations. It can be difficult to find time for conversations that encourage our families and make our relationships closer.

Even for those who try to organize their schedules to sit down together over dinner … countless people tell me about the challenging struggle to get every family member to put their phones down, look each other in the eye, and talk.

I get it!

We all love our online connections, but we don’t want to let surface attachments with the world keep us from having the close, lasting family relationships we want.

At a Bible Study years ago…

I learned 3 simple questions that have blessed conversations with my family and close friends.

You can ask and answer these questions every night or stick to once a week … whatever works best for your family. I’m simply encouraging you to try them because I believe they will bless and strengthen your family by helping you grow closer to one another while you focus your hearts and minds on Jesus.

So, ask everyone to set their phones aside for a bit, to ask…

Great Questions that will
Encourage Your Family

Question #1

What brought you joy today/this week?

Go around the table and ask each person to share something that made them happy, something fun, or something that blessed them. Anything for which they are thankful!

It can be a big deal or a simple moment. But whatever it is … it’s a reason to celebrate and praise God.

Joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the Lord their God.

Psalm 146:5

Question #2

What was today’s/this week’s junk?

Now go around the table again and give each person the opportunity to talk about the hard parts of the day or week. Ask them to name something that hurt them, that they’re struggling with, or worried about.

Then focus on taking life’s “junk” to the Lord in prayer, asking for His counsel and direction.

Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Matthew 11:28–30

Question #3

Where did you see Jesus at work today/this week?

Go around the table one last time and have each person share the ways Jesus has provided, used, spared, or inspired them.

This one may be harder at first, but the more your family starts looking for ways the Lord is working around them, the easier it will be in the future.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.

Psalm 32:8 (NIV)

Then it’s time to…

♥ Pray, Bless, and Encourage Your Family

One of the things I love about sharing Joy, Junk, and Jesus is the way it helps us know what to pray for each other.

I love being able to pray together, praising and thanking God for the joys my family has experienced.

It’s a privilege to stand together as a family and pray for our challenges—the “junk” in our lives.

And finally, to end our prayers with surrendered hearts praising God for the ways He allowed our families to see Him at work in, around, and through us that day/week!

So grab a journal…

This is a wonderful way for you to keep a record of the many ways the Lord is working in and through your family. Start with praise, list the junk as prayer requests, and document how and when God answers those prayers.

Let’s pray…

A Prayer to Encourage Your Family

Father God, thank you so very much for the blessing of my family. We’re alike and different in many ways, but You created us to live together and to put into practice Your loving kindness and compassion.

It’s not always easy. We have strong opinions, attitudes, and desires. We want to trust and obey You, but we’re each guilty of being self-absorbed and selfish at times. Please forgive us, forgive me, and help us love as You desire.

I know the best way is to love like Jesus. To spend time in Your Word and prayer. To “be still and know” You. By the power of Your Spirit, please help me focus on Your grace, mercy, and love, so that I might share it generously.

Please help me notice every blessing and celebrate it with a heart of joy. Strengthen me to handle the junk that impacts my days. And open my eyes to see the countless ways Jesus is working in my life and the lives of those around me.

Be with me and help me encourage my family. I ask this in the precious name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus. Amen.

Finally … these questions will not only encourage your family, they will also bless your friends and small groups. They’re a wonderful way to get to know and love each other better.

So, why not try it tonight – ask these 3 simple questions:

What brought you joy?
What felt like junk?
Where did you see Jesus at work?

Encourage your family with intentional conversations that invite connection, caring, and compassion.

We would love to pray for you.
You can leave your prayer requests here…

and even take a few minutes to pray over the list left by our friends.

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