Family Devotion ='s Good Times!

I’ve had quite a few parents ask what we do for family devotion time at our house, so I decided to blog about it. My prayer is that it encourages you to spend good quality time in the Word with your family as a family. I mean heck… being a parent is the most important ministry there is! (I feel like I need to add- don’t confuse this with your personal devotional time, this should be in addition to.)

**SPECIAL NOTE:**

Devotion time is NEVER exactly the same. We start with an easy outline, and let God go from there. Example: This week we were lead to Psalms 37 and that’s where we plan on studying until we are done. We also spent extra time in prayer because of the felt need. We have four children ages 5 mos. to 11 years and each of them are extremely different (Which means they learn different.) so as I said before, our time with the Lord is NEVER the same, just like every day is different. Have fun and be flexible! Spending time with God and your family is off the hook! Most IMPORTANT: Do not make this special time rushed, negative, strict, boring or most of all religious! Our setting is usually listening and singing to worship music while gathered together around the kitchen table with Whip Cream, Red Sugar Sprinkles over Hot Chocolate and for the Adults…..Hazelnut creamed COFFEE!

**END OF SPECIAL NOTE**

Devotion Time Outline

(All of us take turns leading)

Open in Prayer: As an unsaid rule we always start with thanking God for the day, health and a goodnights sleep. Then we ask that he helps us focus on His Word and to PLEASE help us to understand what he is saying.* Sometimes we read the Lord’s Prayer directly out of the Bible ~ the kids love it!

Devotional Book for Kids: This includes a daily scripture and story with an example of how the scripture we studied applies to us today. Basically it brings it home for the kids. (It gives us a little guideline and some fun topics and creative craft ideas.)

Bible Reading: Whoever’s turn it is to lead will decide who reads the Bible scripture and who reads the story. (The leader has to do one or the other.)
Discussion: How about you time? This is a time to answer ANY questions as well as reflection and discussion. It’s a NO hold back time, anything goes. Making fun of or laughing at someone else’s question is not accepted! It happens from time to time but we have worked through it and maturity in that area has grown tremendously! We have learned a lot about our kids and they have learned to trust their siblings and us as their parents. From time to time they will come to us in private to ask a more personal question or a question they may be too embarrassed to ask in open discussion. Making that an option has helped out a lot.

Close in Prayer: Again we thank Jesus for our time together and the freedom of worship. Usually we have a specific topic of prayer then we continue on to where ever God leads us. When we first started they were very shy and awkward. As parents Todd and I set an example and pray passionately and boldly, naturally they follow our lead. (this isn’t happening over night, but is happening) I also ask them to pray over each other a couple times a week if they aren’t led to on their own.

Regarding prayer: I remind the kids that the Bible says in 1Thessalonians 5:17 (KJV): “Pray without ceasing.” I tell them that what the scripture is saying is, to remember to pray continually and frequently throughout the day. I call it an open ended “conversation” prayer that never ends. I encourage (Not to be confused with nag.) them to pray while, playing, walking, riding their scooters, doing school work, pretty much all throughout the day, and sometimes even in the middle of the night. I always say to them; I don’t think God really cares where we pray so long as we pray. I talk to Him all the time, just like I talk to anyone else; after all He is my best friend!


In Love, Staci