What is Values-Driven?
An Introduction to the Values-Driven Ministry 

A few years ago now, when my husband, Marc, set out to write our first book, The Values-Driven Family, he  began with a comprehensive, cover-to-cover Bible study on what the Bible had to say about family-related topics.

One thing that immediately caught his attention was that the family unit was simply the means through which parents were to raise godly offspring who would follow the Lord (see, for example, Malachi 2:15). As such, very early on, his study focused on just what parents should be proactively trying to impart to their children. A key verse that summed up God's intent for His people is Romans 8:29, which tells us that "those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers"  (NIV). So, if God's goal for us as Christians--and, by extension, for our children--is for us to grow to be more like Christ, what does that look like?

Ultimately, Marc noticed 12 consistent character traits that were common to all of God’s servants, from the patriarchs to the prophets, and ultimately Jesus Himself. Upon further exploration, it became obvious that these 12 traits could honestly be said to encompass the essence of Christlikeness. These are the character traits that God desires us to both live out and disciple our children in.

As a family, we strive to live out the "values that God values," because all of the doings that we pursue in our Christian walk are secondary to the goal of being the people that God wants us to be.

On the other hand, life is a series of doings. We are busy with work, homeschooling, discipling our children, interacting in the community, and serving God in whatever ways He directs. So our goal here at Values-Driven has become that of encouraging and equipping Christian families to make the most of every opportunity--that is, to grow in Christ and exhibit His character every moment of every day, so that God is glorified no matter what we are doing.

Although Values-Driven is a ministry to families, we hope you will agree that a life devoted to God is not just about the family. Yet our investment in this area is certainly a means by which we can raise children with a Kingdom vision and commitment. Likewise, our homes and families can be a witness to those whose lives we touch, either within or outside of our four walls.