Family Meeting Format: A Simple 3-Part Structure for Families

If you want family meetings that actually move your family forward, and that everyone looks forward to, the difference usually comes down to having a format that works best for your family. By having a family meeting format that sets clear expectations for your time together, each meeting does more than catch everyone up on the week. It becomes a place where you encourage and pray with each other, align on your family goals, and discuss any progress or setbacks as you work towards them as a team.

Here is a simple three-part format you can start using right away.

WHAT MAKES A GOOD FAMILY MEETING FORMAT?

A good family meeting format has three parts: a repeatable structure, shared work on your family goals, and intentional time to connect. Each one makes the goals that come from your family meetings clearer and more fruitful.

FAMILY MEETING FORMAT PART 1: SET THE STRUCTURE

Starting family meetings from scratch can feel overwhelming. Your family may wonder why you are starting them or whether they will do any good, and you might be wondering the same thing.

The reason why all that work matters is because family meetings help create structure for the most important conversations your family should be having. They create a space for deeper connection and communication, so you all stay aware of what is happening in each other's lives and how you are becoming the family God is calling you to be.

When everyone understands the purpose, your meetings become more productive, because you are all on the same page about why you are meeting, so make sure to build clear structure.

A repeatable structure sets your family up for success. When your meetings follow a similar pattern, everyone knows what to expect and how to prepare. A few components to build in:

• Prayer
• Life check-in
• Mission, Vision, and Values review
• Goals check-in

Your structure can evolve over time to fit your family. There is no need to get it perfect at the start. Begin with this simple structure and keep at it. Many of the families we have worked with say it takes a few weeks to a few months to settle in. Staying faithful and showing up consistently is how you will reach the big, God-sized goals for your family over time.

FAMILY MEETING FORMAT PART 2: DO THE WORK TOGETHER

One of the most important parts of a family meeting is the work you decide on to do afterward. When everyone is clear on the family goals they are working toward, both individually and as a family, they leave with confidence about their next steps.

In each meeting, make sure your family meeting format includes:

• Reviewing progress on the goals from your last meeting
• Asking clarifying questions where more support is needed
• Offering encouragement when goals are met
• Identifying the goals you will work on into the next meeting

By using your family meeting to define the work you need to do, you’ll find that you’re able to start actually accomplishing what God is calling you to as a family.

FAMILY MEETING FORMAT PART 3: FIND WAYS TO CONNECT MEANINGFULLY

The work you do in a meeting matters, and so does the way you connect. Some meetings will feel light-hearted, and some will feel more focused. Your family meeting format is meant to work with your family, wherever you are at right now, and keep you connected through each changing season.

Here are some ways you can make sure you’re building in connection as part of your format:

• Celebrate the big and little wins since your last meeting
• Share prayer requests and take time to pray for each other
• Play a fun game or enjoy a good meal together to open or close your meeting

You may want to include these type of connecting elements at the beginning and end so that relationships drive what you do.

A STARTING POINT FOR YOUR FAMILY MEETINGS

Use this family meeting format as your starting point to build meetings that are more productive, more joyful, and more connected. It will take time to find what works best for your family, and it will shift from season to season. What matters most is staying consistent and making it part of your family's rhythms. When you stick with it, you will start to see the fruit.

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Create more intentional rhythms for family connection with the Family Health Reset. It will walk your family through:

• The essential first area for your family to reset
• Your family culture’s health assessment
• Proposed next right steps for your family’s health and culture

Keep building on that healthy culture and get started on these 3 quick video lessons today.