Family devotions unite parents and children in the Lord. A family that worships together at home will have little difficulty worshiping together at church. Even a child who has not learned to talk can sit in a parent’s lap and enjoy this time. The benefits of setting aside time for family devotion will be manifold!
Need help getting started? Here are several tips:
- Begin the time with prayer. Adore God for His character and thank Him for His mercies. Ask for the Holy Spirit to grant your family understanding as you read God’s word. Sing a hymn or psalm.
- Read a passage of scripture. Offer a brief explanation of its meaning. Ask your children two or three simple questions. Have them retell the Bible story or explain the passage in their own words.
- Make a family prayer list. Ask your children what needs to be added to the list. Thank God when prayers are answered. Do not be afraid to pray for specific challenges that your family faces. This will teach your children to be dependent upon God for all things.
- Some families try to learn one Bible verse a week. You may also want to teach your children the answer to a question in the Shorter Catechism or Children’s Catechism. Do not be too ambitious. The benefits will come over time.
- Bring a world globe or map to family devotions and a copy of Patrick Johnstone’s Operation World. A nation is listed for each day of the year, along with prayer requests for that country. Teach your children to find the country on the globe and pray for it. You will be amazed how much geography your children will learn as they develop a perspective for global missions and evangelism.
Do not try to do everything listed here each evening. Be flexible. Fifteen to twenty minutes is plenty of time for family devotions.
Don’t be discouraged if it takes time to get a healthy devotional life started in your family. Be patient with yourself and your family. As you persevere, family devotions will become one of your family’s most cherished times together.
Resource: Jason Helopoulos,
A Neglected Grace: Family Worship
in the Christian Home