Family devotions foster closer relationships with each other and promote spiritual growth. In addition, God commissions us as parents to raise our children in the faith (Deuteronomy 6:6-9), and devotionals can be a powerful tool in that endeavor.
Choose a devotion that fits your child or family. You’ll find devotionals for those who love dogs, dinosaurs, science, and sports. Most of these books include a short devotion, a Bible verse, an optional reading, a prayer, and an activity. You get to decide to do some or all of the activities. Bible storybooks are another option, with many providing questions and a prayer at the end of each story.
Check out these recommended devotionals:
My Tender Devotions by Laura Sassi (1-4)
God Made Me from A to Z by Allison Key Bemiss (2-5)
How Great is Our God by Louie Giglio with Tama Fortner (6-10)
Dinosaur Devotions by Michelle Medlock Adams (8-12)
New Morning Mercies for Teens by Paul David Tripp
Set a consistent time for the family to be together. Mornings at the kitchen table work best for a family that eats breakfast together. If your family has staggered mornings, consider the evening meal or another time that works best for you. Keeping a consistent time helps everyone know that the time slot is dedicated to family and not to schedule other activities during this moment.
Start small. If you’re just starting family devotions, keep the time short—five to ten minutes. Don’t try to tackle too much. Experiment to see what works and what doesn’t. Would a storybook Bible with questions be more effective, or would a shorter devotional that provides more parental guidance be a better option?
Include participation. Choose an older child to read the devotion or look up the highlighted Bible verse. For older kids, you can ask more in-depth questions. For preschoolers, you’ll want them to understand the basic themes and provide movement through some activities. Consider your kids’ ages and learning styles. How can you modify the lessons for them? Why not hold the devotion time outdoors?
Persevere. Even if the kids seem bored or you don’t see much fruit, don’t give up. Remind yourself of the importance of these sacred times. You’re strengthening family bonds. You’re modeling prayer and studying God’s word. You’re obeying God by talking about His word in the home, and God is pleased.
Allow time for ministry. Offer opportunities to determine what your child knows or doesn’t know. You’ll develop a pulse of their faith walk. The devotions also might bring up a trial or problem your child faces that you didn’t know about. These are the times to set the devotion aside, look your child in the eye, and listen.
Sally Cressman is the author of The Dance of Easter. Sign up for her email list to receive “31 Empowering Biblical Affirmations” cards.
