How to Guide Parents to Start Family Devotions 

In today’s fast-paced world, families often find themselves pulled in multiple directions by hectic schedules and endless distractions. Amidst the busyness and chaos, family devotional time can often be neglected. How do you help families in your church prioritize reading Scripture, praying, and worshiping within the home? 

As my children have grown, we have modified family devotions over the years. I have three boys, ages 13, 16, and 18. When my kids were preschoolers, we would read Bible stories and listen to age-appropriate music throughout the day. I worked part-time, so our mornings were often chaotic, getting everyone dressed, fed, and out the door. I remember many mornings; after getting the kids buckled into their car seats, we would read a devotion together. I loved this time, starting the day reading a few Scriptures and praying. This also worked well because everyone was strapped to a car seat or booster, so I had their attention, and they could not escape! I had a captive audience! Some of my favorite memories are when my boys would role-play the Bible story using various props at home. I remember my oldest pretended to be Goliath as he stood on a chair. His younger brother pretended to be David and used rolled socks as stones. The couch cushions have been repurposed to make a boat to depict when Jesus calmed the storm and the playset in the backyard has been used to dramatize the Battle of Jericho. As the kids get older, our family devotions look different from those preschool years. We read devotions before bed or at the dinner table. Now, my kids read the Bible on their own while they eat breakfast. I love seeing the three of them with opened Bibles or the Bible app on their phones around the breakfast table.  

We all know the importance of family devotions, but we also know how exhausting parenting is at times. I remember being so tired that it was easy to make an excuse to put it off and do it tomorrow. I treasure the times that we have been intentional in our family devotions. There were some days that I really didn’t think they were listening, as some days they sat in silence, and other days, they giggled about something one brother said or a noise a brother made. There have been other times, though, that have provided some great conversations as we instill these truths and pass on our faith.  

Bible Studies for Life: Kids is here to support you as you minister to families! We have a great resource called Bible Studies for Life At Home, which helps families engage in family discipleship that aligns with what preschoolers and kids are learning at church each week. This resource is found on Ministry Grid and is free with any Bible Studies for Life purchase. Starting with our Fall 2024 resources, there will be a QR code on each Kids Activity Page so parents can have free access. This resource encourages families to choose a day and time for family devotion and provides a simple plan that includes the following sections: Read the Scripture, Talk about the Scripture, Watch the Bible Story Video, Learn Scripture, and Sing. We provide a prayer guide that includes two prompts for parents to use during the week to help direct prayer and start casual family conversations about God. Each week, we also provide two activities related to that week’s main idea. One is a fun activity for families to enjoy together, and the other is a service activity, encouraging families to live out the gospel in their communities. 

We all know that families are busy, but it is important to encourage families in your church to set aside time throughout the week for family worship and discipleship. We pray Bible Studies for Life At Home will be a starting point for families to begin family devotions. By prioritizing regular devotional time, families build a strong foundation of faith and nurture spiritual growth, creating a legacy of faith that will endure for generations.