Habits for a Sacred Home Study Guide, Bonuses, & Appendix
Habits for a Sacred Home Study Guide, Bonuses, & Appendix
Study Guide Questions:
Chapter 1- The Need for Sacred Homes
Each chapter will end with a few questions to help you evaluate your current “Rule of Life” as well as to create family practices and a culture that reflects your values.
With the first chapter, we will ease into the Study Guide by making a simple list of values you have identified for your family.
Some examples are:
Honesty
Integrity
Kindness
Diligence
Frugality
Stewardship
Mercy
Generosity
Hope
Hospitality
Simplicity
Excellence
Chapter 2- Habits of Work: Edith Schaefer
What work do you love?
What work do you avoid?
What are your work priorities?
Do you have a good work/rest balance?
Habits of Work: Below are a few suggestions for habits you and your family could work towards. Brainstorm your own list to add to these.
Make your bed.
Pick up after yourself.
Load dishes immediately.
Go to bed with a clean sink.
Keep a sabbath.
Once you have your own list, you can begin to create your family rule by making statements about those habits. By the end of the book, you will have a robust family rule to help guide your daily practices.
Chapter 3- Habits of Stewardship: Mary McLeod Bethune
How was stewardship modeled in your family of origin?
How have you stewarded your resources?
What areas do you steward well?
What areas could you work on?
Habits of Stewardship: These are a few suggested habits, but you can add your won and then fill in the blanks below with a few to work on.
Eat healthy
Exercise
Pray
Read the Bible to yourself and your children
Define your values
Think before you spend
Care for your belongings
Allow margin in your schedule
Track your time
Chapter 4- Habits of Prayer: Amy Carmichael
How have you experienced prayer?
When do you feel closest to God?
Remember a time when you felt close to God. Thank him for being near.
Habits of prayer: Which of these habits will you add to your Family Rule of Life:
Morning Prayer
Evening Prayer
Breath Prayer
Praying Scripture
Lectio Divina
Listening Prayer
Singing Scripture or hymns as prayer
What rule will your family adopt regarding prayer?
Chapter 5- Habits of Order: Elisabeth Elliot
How had you experienced the principle of order?
Is it hard for you to live with rules?
Is order a value you want to cultivate in your home?
Habits of order: Add to the list below and then use the list to make your own family rule.
Be respectful to others.
Follow reasonable directions.
Be discerning.
Pray for people in positions of authority.
Be orderly with your belongings.
Develop a daily rhythm.
Track your habits.
What habits will you adopt in your family?
Chapter 6- Habits of Simplicity: Sabina Wurmbrand
How have you embraced simplicity?
Was simplicity modeled in your home of origin?
How do you feel when your surroundings are cluttered?
Habits of Simplicity: Here are a few suggestions feel free to add your own.
Limit screen time.
Limit shopping time.
Track your time.
Keep a budget.
Enjoy simple pleasures.
Use what you have.
What rule will you adopt in pursuit of simplicity?
Chapter 7- Habits of Stability: Ruth Gram Bell
Would you describe your childhood as stable?
Who has modeled stability for you?
How have you struggled with stability?
Habits of Stability: Pick a few habits to work on and add to you family rule of life.
Keep family routines.
Establish traditions.
Stay in the same church, school, or home.
Be faithful in relationships.
Practice thankfulness.
Be faithful in studying the Word of God.
What rule will you adopt?
Chapter 8- Habits of Hospitality: Ella “Mama” Tweten
What does the Bible say about hospitality?
What makes hospitality hard for you?
What were your childhood experiences with hospitality?
Habits of hospitality: Pick a few to add to your family rule of life.
Teach children to be kind to guests.
Keep an open home.
Keep a tidy guest bathroom.
Have easy snacks, coffee, or tea on hand.
Make a hosting routine.
What rule will your family adopt regarding hospitality?
Chapter 9- Habits of Community: Esther Jungreis
What was community like in your family of origin?
Did you have strong family traditions as a child?
What traditions fo you cultivate in your own family?
How do you build a like-minded community?
Habits of Community: Choose a few of these habits to add to your own family rule, or brainstorm your own.
Gather for worship.
Define you values as a family.
Discuss your values with close friends or established community.
Define nonnegotiable values for strong community.
Learn to give and receive feedback with grace.
Learn o have boundaries for nonnegotiables.
Be present with people during their times of need.
Let people be present with you in your times of need.
What rule will your family adopt regarding community?
Chapter 10- Habits of Balance: Madeleine L’Engle
What balance is needed in your pursuit of restoration?
How do feelings of pride or failure sabotage our efforts?
In previous chapters you developed a set of statements about the values and habits you want to focus on. You can find a Canva template to make a printable poster to remind your family of the values you want to pursue.
https://shorturl.at/hnK01
The Recipes from the end of each chapter can be found in The Peaceful Press Cookbook:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/t9ykk9qtc2vryoie48jbw/CookBook_Digital.pdf?rlkey=fn9bm01prtt8woign9p1ktvi1&st=bxzzlufy&dl=0
BONUSES:
Student Planner
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/
EXTRA Bonuses Sign-up including access to The Peaceful Life Workshop
Appendix
Families who purchased the audiobook can use this template (or this editable one on Canva) to create their own Family Rule of Life. You can also read the acknowledgments and learn more about Jennifer.
Your Family Rule
Below, write in the statements you developed at the end of each chapter—the practices your family will adopt for each habit to create your own family rule.
Habits of Work:
Habits of Stewardship:
Habits of Prayer:
Habits of Order:
Habits of Simplicity:
Habits of Stability:
Habits of Hospitality:
Habits of Community:
Acknowledgments
The Peaceful Press and Restoration Home community of mothers, with their enthusiasm and bravery, have made the early morning writing sessions a joyful sacrifice. Hearing stories of how the trajectory of their families changed because of my work has infused me with strength when I felt the tug to give up my writing in favor of more time in nature with my children. As I think of each one of you diligently loving your children despite what is happening in the world, and keeping your homes and communities with such faithfulness, I’m inspired in my own journey. Your labor is not in vain.
Beloved Peaceful Press team, Emelie Pepito, Kristin Dahman, Angie Warren, Sadie Davis, Beth Ann Menger, and Brianna Rodriguez, you lighten my load so I can add book writing to curriculum creating. Your creativity and ingenuity make the Peaceful Press resources beautiful and lifegiving and it’s an honor to partner with you in empowering homeschool families to love their children well.
Thank you, Ingrid Beck, for your insight and support. Having your advocacy and talent to help me navigate book publishing has been an incredible blessing.
To the team at Bethany House including Jennifer Dukes Lee, Stephanie Smith, Rebecca Schriner, and Sharon Hodge, it’s been so much fun to work with you all. You are insightful and kind, and we share a love of God and prayer that makes publishing with you a dream. I love being part of the Bethany House family.
My Wild + Free friends have opened my world to new perspectives and so much fun. I’ve loved learning from Leah Boden, Greta Eskridge, Rea Berg, Betsy Larkin, Amber O’Neal Johnston, Leslie Martino, Erin Loechner, Elsie Iudicello, Richele Baburina, Tina Ingold, Jenni Dowling, Julie Bogart, Stephanie Beaty and so many others. You are amazing women, and I’m delighted to be your friend. I’m so grateful to Ainsley Arment for inviting me into this magical community; so many of my best memories have been with you, whether it was kayaking down the Brazos River after Wild + Free Wimberley, snuggling in the hotel lobby after countless conferences, or eating beautiful lunches with my heroes, friendship with you has been a delight.
Sally Clarkson, a chapter in this book could have been written about you. Your faithfulness to continue highlighting the sacred work of motherhood has encouraged so many, and I’m grateful that in a world where older women often give up on Titus 2 mentorship, you continue to love and serve. I’m honored to be your friend.
Amy Hughes, thanks for being a gentle, loving presence in my life.
To Ginny Yurich, your sparkling personality has been a wonder to behold, and your generosity and calm are life-changing. I’m so glad we are friends.
Rachel Kovac, thank you for deep conversations, thoughtful questions, and your beautiful presence. I’ve learned so much from you, everything you do is infused with love, and I’m honored to know you.
To Cindy Rollins, your willingness to be honest about the struggles of motherhood and yet hopeful about the importance of our work has impacted me deeply. Thank you for helping me keep going even when it’s hard.
Cristina Ecklund, I love watching the way you beautify your surroundings and raise your children with hope and faith. Your excitement about this project has been an inspiration.
To my Voxer friends Kate Crocco, Erin Cox, Cindy West, and Alicia Hutchinson. Thanks for bearing my burdens, sharing yours, and being models of motherhood and business. I’m so glad we are friends.
To my Rooted Home sisters, Brittany White, Aimee Kirk, Camille Fielder, Jessica Wilson, Stephanie Frediani, and Whitney Byrd, you are all so lovely and inspiring. I have hope for the world as I see the ways you are transforming our small corner of it.
To Melissa Wingo, thank you for helping me process these ideas through our weekly walks, and for challenging me when my tinfoil hat gets too big. I am so grateful for you.
To my sisters, Jacqueline Lostritto, Jody Kniesel, Tammi Gyori, and LeeAnn Gyori. You are wonderful mothers to many. You glorify God through your work and encourage me with your love.
To my parents, John and Rosalind Gyori, I’m so inspired by the ways you have exhibited great faith and virtue. Your diligence and grit have made your children capable and given me hope for the world.
To my children, Emelie, Eden, Elias, Ethan, Emmett, Ella, and Ezra, I love being your mom. You are all so beautiful and thoughtful, and I’m so proud of the ways you pursue God. You inspire me, and I’m so thankful that we get to grow together.
To Karina, thank you for being such a good friend to my son. You are a gift from God.
To my granddaughter Sylvia, I love you; you are precious to me.
To my husband, Scott. I love the way you pray, and I’m so thankful for your commitment to God and to your family. I’m so happy I get to spend my life with you.
I’m so grateful to you, God. The gift of your presence continues to empower me to love even when it is hard, and to be faithful even when the world is chaotic. Thank you for the comfort of your Word, and for the beauty of creation, and for your constant love and grace. I’m so glad I get to be your child and spend eternity with you.
Jennifer Pepito is the host of the Restoration Home podcast, author of Mothering by the Book, and the founder of The Peaceful Press (ThePeacefulPress.com). Jennifer is on a mission to help moms overcome fear and live with wonder and purpose, and her homeschool curriculum empowers this through heroic stories, heartwarming poetry, and engaging life skills development. Her resources help create joyful memories among families, which lead to deeper connections and lasting relationships. Jennifer’s writing has been featured in several online and print journals, including Wild + Free, Commonplace Quarterly, and Home Educating Family. She hosted the Wild + Free podcast for seven years and has made guest appearances on other popular podcasts such as 1000 Hours Outside, At Home with Sally, and Read Aloud Revival. Jennifer lives with her beloved family in the mountains, where she enjoys reading aloud, working in her garden, and watching the sunset.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the purpose of this study guide?
This study guide is designed to help families reflect on the ideas presented in Habits for a Sacred Home and intentionally develop a Family Rule of Life—a set of shared values and habits that guide daily life and shape the culture of the home.
2. What is a “Family Rule of Life”?
A Family Rule of Life is a collection of simple statements that reflect the values, rhythms, and habits your family wants to live by. Rather than strict rules, it is meant to be a life-giving framework that helps your family pursue faithfulness, peace, and restoration together.
3. Do we need to answer every question?
The questions are meant to prompt reflection and conversation, not create pressure. You can answer the ones that resonate most or adapt them to fit your family’s current season.
4. Can this study be done alone or only in a group?
Both! Many families work through the study individually, but it can also be done with a group of mothers, homeschool co-ops, church groups, or the Restoration Home Community.
5. How long does the study take?
The guide follows the 10 chapters of the book, but there is no required timeline. Some families discuss one chapter per week, while others move more slowly and take a month for each habit.
6. Should children be involved in the process?
Yes, when possible. While some reflection questions are for parents, including children in discussions about family values and habits helps them feel ownership and understanding of the family culture you are building.
7. What if our family struggles with consistency?
That is completely normal. The goal is progress, not perfection. Small, faithful habits practiced over time shape the atmosphere of a home.
8. Do we need to adopt every suggested habit?
Not at all. Each family is different. Choose only the habits that align with your family’s values and season of life, and add your own ideas where needed.
9. How do we create our Family Rule of Life?
As you finish each chapter, write a few simple statements describing the habits you want to cultivate. By the end of the study, these statements form your Family Rule of Life, which you can print and display in your home.
Example:
- We begin our mornings with prayer.
- We care for our home and belongings with gratitude.
- We welcome guests with warmth and generosity.
10. Are there additional resources to go along with the study?
Yes! This study includes several bonus resources from The Peaceful Press, such as:
- A Family Rule of Life printable poster
- A booklist
- A student planner
- A poster poetry pack
- Recipes from the Peaceful Press Cookbook
11. What if my family background didn’t model these habits?
Many families begin this journey because these habits were not modeled for them. This study invites you to thoughtfully build a new culture of faith, peace, and intentional living in your home.
12. What is the ultimate goal of these habits?
The goal is not perfection or performance, but creating a home where faith, love, and restoration flourish—a place where family members grow closer to God and to one another.