Because truth on a wall means nothing if it doesn’t reach the heart.

You did it! You named your values, wrestled with definitions, added scripture, and maybe even wrote out a few repeatable statements. You created your Family Creed.

But now what?

If we’re not intentional, our creed can become just another decorative print gathering dust. And that’s not the goal. We want these truths to take root in our homes and hearts.

So how do we move from writing a creed to actually living it?

Think of your Family Creed like an accordion-style menu on a website. The main phrases are short and simple—perfect for scanning. But when you double-click, you open up something rich, meaningful, and worth slowing down for. A Family Creed should work the same way.

Here are three simple strategies to help make your creed stick:

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1. Use Repeatable Phrases

(In language your kids actually understand)

If your values are only expressed in formal, theological language, they probably won’t last past the dinner table. That’s why every value needs a repeatable phrase—a short, sticky saying that rolls off your tongue and sticks in your kids’ hearts.

Think:

• “We are tenderhearted helpers.” (Compassion)
• “We do hard things.” (Grit)
• “We tell the truth—even when it’s hard.” (Integrity)
• “We are fun-makers.” (Joy)
• “We welcome others.” (Hospitality)

This is your family liturgy—words you speak over and over until they start to sound like home.

💡 Tip: Try adding a phrase to your school send-off routine or bedtime blessing. Over time, they’ll start to say it before you do.

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2. Look for Double-Click Moments

(Open up the deeper meaning behind the phrase)

The repeatable phrase is just the headline. But we want our kids to understand the why behind the words. That’s where double-click moments come in—times when you expand the value and connect it to Scripture, story, or action.

Here’s how:

• Memorize a verse related to the value. (e.g. “Be kind to one another…” – Ephesians 4:32)
• Read a book that models the value. (Picture books make great discipleship tools!)
• Celebrate when you see the value lived out: “That was so kind of you to help your brother clean up—Eseke’s are tenderhearted helpers!”
• Call it out in teachable moments: “This is a moment to be brave. Remember, we do hard things—because God gives us strength.”

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3. Make It Visible

(Your walls speak louder than you think)

If we want our values to shape our family, they need to be more than words on a page. They need to live where life happens. How can you create visible reminders of your Family Creed?

Try:

• Framing your Family Creed in a central spot—kitchen, hallway, or kid’s bedroom.
• Creating simple symbols for each value (like a heart for compassion or a mountain for grit) and adding them to a chalkboard or whiteboard.
• Putting phrases on sticky notes, mirrors, or lunchbox cards.
• Making a playlist that reflects your values—and blasting it in the carpool line.
• And hey…maybe even a family tattoo someday? 😉 (Okay, maybe not today. But you never know!)

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Final Thoughts

A Family Creed is not a chore list or a Pinterest project—it’s a compass. A tool to anchor your family in truth, shape your culture, and give your kids a sense of identity rooted in something eternal.

So speak it. Celebrate it. Double-click it.

Because truth repeated becomes truth remembered. And truth remembered? That’s what shapes who they become.