Tips for Family Devotions Led by Mom

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1. Start.  Yeah, sounds kind of silly, but that’s half the battle–getting going.  Decide right now while you’re reading this that you won’t let another day go by waiting for someone else to do it.  Then plan what you’ll do today.

2. Don’t make it hard – make it simple.  If the kids around your table are small, choose a Bible passage that is full of adventure and excitement like the story of Daniel or David before he became king.  If the kids are older, dare to read some passages that pertain to daily life like any chapter in the book of James.

3. Keep it short and to the point, especially to start.  Read a few verses or just one part of a story… keep them longing for more.  Choose a translation that’s easy to read and understand.  If you do just one verse, maybe read it in a few translations to see if there are any differences.  Read it, and then chat about it.  Ask good questions.  (Good questions do not have ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answers.)

4. Have the kids act something out.  If you read a story, assign parts and have them act out while you read.  You might just laugh your head off, but that’s okay.  It’ll teach the kids that devos don’t have to be boring.

5. Make sure each person has a notebook or journal.  If they can’t write, give them one anyway so they can draw.  At either the beginning or end of your time together, have them write down one thing they want prayer for and the date.  Then spend time as a family praying for those things.  Watch over time for answered prayer.

6. Occasionally watch a solid Bible teaching on a DVD or podcast, do small segments of a Bible study series if the kids are old enough, or spend some time together memorizing a few verses (or even a book of the Bible).

7. If you have young kids, sit down and watch a Veggie Tales video with them.  Then bring out your Bible and compare it to the real story.  Ask them what’s different, what’s the same–and which one is true!

8. If you are worn out, sometimes the best thing to do is to turn on some praise and worship music as loud as your speakers will go (without disturbing the neighbors) and have everyone sing along.  Sing hymns and study the words to see which come from Scripture.

9. Do it when it works.  (See Deuteronomy 6.)  When you walk along the road, when you sit down to eat, when you wake up, when you lie down, when you drive in the car, when you cook dinner, when you are hanging out in the family room – whenever and wherever.  A set time is great and also necessary.  But it is not the only time.  If a few days go by and you didn’t get that set time in, not to worry if you are living a life of devotion with your kids.  A true life of devotion to God will bring you back to the joy of meditating on His Word and singing His praise because of your love for Him.

10. Remember that your goal is to help them be more devoted to Jesus.  If that means you tell your testimony and have them share theirs – do it.  It’s not so much about how you do it but that you do.  Show them Jesus in a way that they will love Him through His Word, be sensitive to His Holy Spirit and long for His return with a passion.

Here are a few cautions:

  • Don’t say to your kids, “Well, from now on I’m going to be doing family devotions ‘cause I’ve waited this long and apparently your dad is not going to.”  No way, José!  Helper, remember?  You are actually doing your job, not your husband’s.
  • Try not to look like the world just died and you are left to point the way to an impossible Jesus by forcing your children to endure Bible lessons that’ll taste worse than a cabbage and peanut butter sandwich.
  • Making God look like He gave you the job that nobody wants by saying, “God says I have to do this, so work with me, people” is not going to do anybody any favors.
  • About Carla Anne Coroy

    Carla Anne can be described in one word: passionate. After just a few minutes with her it is evident that her biggest passion is people. Carla Anne is an accomplished Christian author, speaker and business woman. Her favourite way to spend her free time is hanging out with her 8 kids (an even mix of sons, daughters, and in-laws) and many family “add-ons”. In winter you can find her cheering for her local hockey team and in summer she’ll be on the beach!

    Encouraged? Share this post...

    Carla Anne Coroy

    Carla Anne can be described in one word: passionate. After just a few minutes with her it is evident that her biggest passion is people. Carla Anne is an accomplished Christian author, speaker and business woman. Her favourite way to spend her free time is hanging out with her 8 kids (an even mix of sons, daughters, and in-laws) and many family “add-ons”. In winter you can find her cheering for her local hockey team and in summer she’ll be on the beach!

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