Week Six, Day One
Family Traditions
Exodus 12:24-28

When you were a child, was there something special that your family did every year without fail?  Many of us can remember special traditions during the holidays that still make us smile. 

Traditions have always been a powerful and significant part of Jewish culture.  While traditions themselves have often been thought of in a negative connotation ­ as outdated symbols that have no meaning.  Yet, at their origins, the traditions of the Children of Israel served a very important purpose  - they reminded God¹s people of His timeless principles.  Behind every symbol, there was substance of eternal significance!

When God instituted the Passover, He was commanding His people to commemorate what He was about to do ­ deliver them from the hands of slavery in Egypt.  And why the symbolism?  The clue is given in our verses today.  When their children came and asked why they did this ceremony every year, they had the most teachable moment possible to share what God had done. 

Many of us have thrown the concept of family traditions out the windows of our homes.  We may have things we do every

Week, every month, or every year, but they don¹t have that intentional underlying principle.  They are not family traditions ­ just family habits.

Traditions have three key components:

• They are non-negotiable and intentional.  ³Every Friday morning we have breakfast together as a family.²
• They are things that we look forward to.  ³We all pitch in to make a delicious and fun breakfast. 
• Every Week, one member of the family is responsible for Œentertainment¹!²
• They have a higher purpose and goal.  ³We do this to remind each other than our family is special and unique, and that we are proud of the friendship we share.²

Application:

• When your children and grandchildren share traditions with their grandchildren, what traditions will they be most fond of?
• How can you use traditions to instill timeless principles into your family?