Worksheet: Family Culture and Safe Home Boundary Worksheet

Family Culture and Safe Home Boundary Worksheet

For Host Ministers and Guests to Establish Roles and Responsibilities

Objective:
To help Host Ministers and their guests establish clear, respectful, and practical boundaries within the home. This worksheet will guide conversations about behavior, privacy, personal habits, social media use, and mutual respect. It will ensure that both parties understand expectations, promoting a peaceful, safe, and structured environment that fosters trust and healthy relationships.

Part 1: Establishing a Family Culture

1.1 Family Values and Shared Expectations

A healthy family culture is essential for the smooth operation of the home and for creating an environment where both host and guest can thrive. Please discuss the following key values and agree on shared expectations:

• Respect: How will respect be shown to one another in daily interactions?
• Honesty: How will we ensure open and transparent communication?
• Kindness and Grace: How will we extend grace to one another in times of conflict or stress?
• Boundaries and Privacy: What are some key ways we can respect each other’s personal space and belongings?

Family Culture Agreement:

• Respect will be shown by:

• Honesty will be practiced by:

• Kindness and grace will be extended by:

• Boundaries and privacy will be respected by:

Part 2: Practical Guidelines for Behavior

2.1 Smoking, Drinking, and Other Habits

Please discuss and agree on expectations around personal habits:

• Smoking:
• Is smoking allowed? If so, where?
• Agreement on smoking policy:

• Drinking Alcohol:
• Is drinking alcohol allowed? If so, are there limits or conditions?
• Agreement on alcohol policy:

• Substance Use:
• Is substance use allowed? What is the policy on illegal substances?
• Agreement on substance use policy:

2.2 Dress Code and Modesty

• What dress code or standard of modesty is expected in shared spaces?
• Agreement on dress code/modesty:

Part 3: Privacy and Respect

3.1 Respecting Privacy

Please discuss how privacy will be respected:

• Personal Belongings:
• How will we respect each other’s personal spaces and belongings?
• Agreement on privacy for personal spaces:

• Private Conversations:
• How will we ensure that private conversations remain confidential?
• Agreement on private conversations:

• Social Media and Public Sharing:
• What is the policy on posting photos or information about others online?
• Agreement on social media use:

Part 4: Boundaries Around Personal Interactions

4.1 No Romantic Advances

Please discuss and agree on boundaries around personal interactions, especially regarding romantic overtures:

• Romantic Behavior:
• What boundaries will we set around romantic or intimate behavior in the household?
• Agreement on romantic advances policy:

4.2 Friendliness vs. Familiarity

• How will we balance friendliness with maintaining appropriate emotional boundaries?
• Agreement on maintaining boundaries:

Part 5: Hosting Agreements and Termination of Stay

5.1 Duration of Stay and Notice Period

It is important to set an agreed-upon timeline for the stay, as well as establish the protocol for ending the arrangement if needed. Discuss and document your agreement below:

• Duration of Stay:
• How long is the guest expected to stay? What is the maximum length of stay?
• Agreement on duration of stay:

• Termination of Stay:
• How will we handle the situation if one party wishes to end the stay?
• Agreement on one-week notice period:

• Exit Protocol:
• What will be the process if boundaries are violated, or if the arrangement becomes unsustainable?
• Agreement on exit protocol:

Conclusion: The Importance of Clear Expectations

Establishing clear expectations around behavior, privacy, personal interactions, and length of stay will help foster mutual respect and ensure a peaceful home environment. Both the Host Minister and guest should review and sign this worksheet to affirm their understanding and commitment to the agreed-upon guidelines.

Signatures:

Host Minister: ________________________
Date: _______________________________

Guest: _______________________________
Date: _______________________________

Bible Reference:
"For God is not a God of confusion but of peace." (1 Corinthians 14:33, WEB)