“As mothers are children’s best nurses, so parents are (or should be) their best teachers. Solomon’s father was his tutor (Proverbs 4:3,4). And he never forgot the lessons his mother taught him (Proverbs 31:1).” – Matthew Henry.
God has commanded that our homes should be saturated in Scripture: “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7) God’s Word is to not just be in our hearts but also diligently taught to our children. Unfortunately, the busyness of our everyday lives combined with feelings of personal inadequacy has caused many of us to have left off our sacred duty.
It is easy to get overwhelmed by the thought of family devotions, however, family devotions should be made simple, easy, and very doable. When family devotions are implemented, they will change your home for the better forever!
Before you read this list, let me remind you that the devil hates family devotions. Starting them is a spiritual battle: so pray, pray, pray. When starting family devotions, you have won a great spiritual victory!
How You Can:
You have the time! Fifteen minutes is all it takes. You can do them at breakfast, lunch, dinner, bedtime or whenever the family is gathered together. Little to no preparation or forethought will be needed.
Simple and lively. For small children, a Bible storybook along with a few actual Scripture verses to read is a great practice. For those with older children who can read or married couples without children a short chapter or paragraph of scripture can be read in rotation, reading one verse per turn. You can start in the Gospels, Psalms, Proverbs, or wherever God leads you.
Ask some questions for discussion at the end of the reading. Some fact questions can be asked from the scripture: “How many smooth stones did David pick up?” or “In our Proverb what happens if you dig a pit for someone else to fall in?” (You can make these questions competitive, comprehensive, and fun.
They can be used like a game.) We also should look together for application questions: “How do you think this pertains to school, sibling interaction, prayer, church, etc?” “What does this scripture teach us to pray for?” (The boldness of Daniel or the wisdom of Proverbs…)
Close with prayer. Take prayer requests. Pray for upcoming family events, problems at school, tests, or health needs. Pray for your church family, the President, a missionary, the upcoming revival, etc…
Why you Should:
Family devotions acknowledges your family’s dependence upon God. By seeking Christ corporately as a family through His Word and in prayer you are acknowledging and demonstrating Christ’s presence in your home, His leadership of your family, and His watch care over all the family members.
Family devotions teach us God’s Word. Reading from a good children’s Bible story book can be a learning experience even for adults. I was amazed when our kids were really young and we were reading Bible story books to them how many details from the Bible stories I glossed over. Now that our children are a little older, we are currently using a Bible story guide. This 365-day guide gives us the the verses to read and asks questions from the story. I still find myself getting stumped. We all learn as a family together!
Family devotions strengthen the family bond. “Blessed be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love.” The strongest bond in any relationship is the spiritual eternal bond. “A family that prays together stays together!” The desire for every Christian family is that they would be knit together by the Holy Spirit.
Family devotions takes your family’s spiritual temperature. Sitting down on a regular basis with your family to have devotions will help you be a better minister to your family’s spiritual needs. You will be better able to discern which members of the family might need extra encouragement and attention.
Family devotions teaches a Godly habit. Success does not come from goals. Success comes from implementing the right habits. The Bible gives hundreds of promises and blessings to those who are continually in Gods Word. Giving your family the habit of opening the Bible and praying together is perhaps the greatest gift you can possible give them. It establishes a culture of perpetual abundant blessing. The habit of family devotions has the great potential to be adopted and passed down for generations!
Family devotions leave a Godly legacy. “The family that gathered together in the home to worship God.” Perhaps your children would never remember specific scriptures read, topics discussed, or even particular prayers prayed. However, they will remember the legacy of a family that gathered together on a regular basis to worship God. What a great recollection for spouses and children to carry with them in their memories. This is a priceless family custom and a rich inheritance to be passed down to future generations.
Start family devotions today!