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Make a Practical Family Schedule

¹ In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus urged his listeners: “Keep on, then, seeking first the kingdom and his righteousness.” (Matt. 6:33) A practical way to plan the activities of the family so that spiritual matters are given priority is to have a written schedule. Take a few minutes to make your own weekly family schedule, using the blank schedule on page 6 of this insert. As a family project, some may wish to make cutouts and attach them to the schedule. Others may prefer to write in the activities.

² The sample schedule shown below may be helpful as you make your schedule. You will note that it includes just four basic activities: (1) attendance at congregation meetings, (2) family field service, (3) the family study, and (4) the consideration of the daily text. Including these on your schedule can help you to “make sure of the more important things.” (Phil. 1:10) Further suggestions on these four areas appear on pages 4-5.

³ Your family schedule need not be limited to just those four activities. If you prepare for certain meetings as a family, make a note of that on your schedule. If you read a portion of the Bible together after considering the daily text or do so at another time, indicate that. If you typically share in some form of family recreation, you may wish to include that on your schedule.

⁴ Adapt your family schedule to accommodate the needs and circumstances of all in the household. Periodically evaluate how it is working, and make adjustments as needed.

[Chart on page 3]

Sample Family Schedule

Morning Afternoon Evening

Sun. Daily Text

Public Talk and

Watchtower Study

Mon. Daily Text Family Study

Tues. Daily Text Congregation

Book Study

Wed. Daily Text

Thurs. Daily Text Theocratic

Ministry School

and Service

Meeting

Fri. Daily Text

Sat. Daily Text

Family Field

Service

(Magazine Day)

[Chart on page 6]

Family Schedule

Morning Afternoon Evening

Sun.

Mon.

Tues.

Wed.

Thurs.

Fri.

Sat.

..................................................................