A Pattern for Family Devotions

In yesterday's article, "Family Devotions," we looked at some of the reasons for and practical results of family worship. You can read that article here. Today, we are going to look at what family devotions should look like.

Every family is different, so everyone's family devotion time will look slightly different. A single person's "family devotion" may just be a time of prayer and Bible study. For a married couple that has no children, it may reading the Bible together, studying biblical doctrines, and prayer. Families with children may have devotions of Bible reading, prayer, questions and answers, and singing. Families with older children might let the children lead the family devotions from time to time, lead the singing, or lead the prayer time. Extended families, that have one or more grandparents (or other relatives), living with them will want to include these members as we.

With all of that in mind, I want to offer you the pattern we a currently using. We are not perfect by any means, but this pattern works for us. It is easy to remain consistent, and the time is enjoyable.  Let me lay out the reasons we do it the way we do, and then we'll look at the pattern.

There are several reasons I chose the pattern I did. Beyond the fact that I felt compelled to practice family devotion, I wanted to influence my children for the Lord. I want them to grow up knowing not only knowing what I believe and why I believe it, but to believe it for themselves. I have struggled with the spiritual disciplines since I have became a Christian. I have always wished that my mentors  would have been able to give me more.

Family devotions give me the opportunity to weave spiritual discipline into the fabric of my children's lives. Solomon urges, "Train your child in the way he should go, and when he is older he will not depart from it" (Prov. 22:6). This verse is a warning and an encouragement. It doesn't guarantee success, but it does make it much more likely.

I'm not only concerned with why they learn, but also what they learn. I want them to know the Bible, because it is the sole authority for the Christian life. I want them to have a firm understanding of the things we confess to believe. I want them to understand why we confess to believe (and where to find those reasons in the Scripture). I want them to be equipped to pray, and to know that everyday they are prayed for. I want them to develop a passion for the glory of God that will motivate them to serve him with unflinching devotion. I also want them to have the Scriptures in their hearts and minds.

With these things in mind, here is the pattern we follow:

We start by reading a chapter out of a Bible story book. We are currently working through The Big Picture Story Bible. We have worked through The Jesus Storybook Bible, and will probably work through it again in the future.We are also considering other Bible story books.

• Then we read through a couple of chapters in the Bible. We read one from the Old Testament and on from the New Testament. Currently, we are reading Psalm 19 everyday, and we rotate through Philippians one chapter a day. We haven't put a time frame on how long we'll keep read this passages.

• We practice a memory verse. Currently, it's Psalm 19:1, "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky proclaims the work of his hands." When Sophia can repeat it without prompting or mistake, we'll pick another verse to work on.

• We pray. I try to pick some part of what we have read to inform my prayers. For example, we have offered praise to God for making the stars that reveal his mighty power. I try to follow the ACTS model of prayer (adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication), but I stick to it. I pray for Sophia (and her future siblings). I pray for her growth in strength and wisdom, for her conversion, and for her safety.

• We work through a catechism. A catechism is a series of doctrinal questions and answers. Catechisms have been used throughout Church history, in both Catholic and Protestant traditions. Even Baptists used catechism throughout the first 200 years of their existence. Currently, we are working though a modified version of A Catechism for Boys and Girls. Traditionally, the catechism is to be memorized word for word. However, I'm more interested in Sophia learning what the answer means.

• Then we read a book. We are working on the Big Thoughts for Little Thinkers series. We read Joey Allen's The Scriptures. This little book explains the importance of the Bible. Eventually, we will get the other books and read through them.

• Occasionally, we sing.  Since we don't have musical accompaniment, we find it difficult to maintain daily singing.

That's the pattern we follow, although some days we switch up the order. It usually takes 15 to 30 minutes depending on whether or not Sophia is cooperative. Most days, she is cooperative. Some days other events make it difficult for us to our devotions. Occasionally, Sophia falls asleep before we get to do them. In these events, we just pick up where we left of the next day. In the future, I'll post some more resources to help guide you in family devotions.

Family Devotions

Family devotions should be an important part of the Christian life. Often, the subject is approached in an "I can't believe they're expecting me to do another thing" kind of attitude. Others reject family devotions (worship) as legalism. However, family devotions are simply an extension of the primary expectation of all true believers: worshiping the Lord.

Although it seems obvious, we were created and redeemed to live a life of worship. There are many ways in which we do this, and worship should come from every corner of our life. The way in which we work can be an act of worship. Singing can be an act of worship. Giving to those in need can be an act of worship. Hearing a sermon can be an act of worship. Gathering as a family to worship God should be as natural to us (as believers) as going to church.

Do you feel awkward praying with your family? Or talking about the Bible? For those of you with children, do you feel embarrassed when they ask you questions about baptism, the Lord's Supper, or other topics of the faith? Do you struggle to answer their questions?

We assume that taking our children to church that we ensure their spiritual growth. We assume that Sunday School and worship will prepare them to comprehend the faith. At will at least get them as far as we got. But is that what God expects of us? The family model in Old Testament times can be found in Deuteronomy 6.  Moses wrote,

Listen, Israel: the LORD our God, the LORD is One. Love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. These words I am giving you today are to be in your heart. Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Bind them as a sign on your hand and let hem be a symbol on your forehead. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates (Deut. 6:4-8, HCSB).

In short, we are to seize every possible opportunity to instruct our children in the faith. Even our house is supposed to be set up in such a way that our priorities are reflected to our children. It's not enough to take them to church, we must gently instruct them in our homes and on the road. We do this through teaching and modeling the faith.

Some may argue that the Old Testament pattern is no longer valid. We live under grace not the law. Yet, Jesus commanded, "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matt. 28:19-20, HCSB, emphasis mine). Although Jesus' words are not directly related to children, they do set forth the pattern. The concept of Deuteronomy 6:4-8 is evident in the ministry of Jesus. He taught his disciples at home and on the road. The Word of God was in his heart, and he instructed his followers.

God has given to every believing parent the ministry of discipling their children. He has left it up to you to shape their hearts for his glory. The church is their to help you accomplish this task. Through the ministry of the Word, you are taught what the believe and why. Through the ministry of prayer, you are strengthened and encouraged. Through the ministry of fellowship, you find a network of support. Through the ministry of worship, you find your place in the larger work of God.

Family devotions equip you and your family to grow in Christ Jesus. There are many benefits to practicing family devotions. Here are some that I can think of:

• It allows you to spend time with your family. In an age of cell phones, internet, and constant activity, family devotions allow you slow down for a few moments and enjoy your family.  

• The family that prays together, stays together. A common faith creates a strong family bond.

• It allows you, as the parent, to shepherd your children's hearts. You become the prime spiritual influence in the lives of your children.

• It helps you become more familiar with the Bible. As you read the Bible together daily as a family, you learn more of it's content.

• It helps you become more familiar with the teachings of the Bible. Christianity is a faith with definite content (doctrines). As you read the Bible together you will also encounter the truths of the faith.

• It will help you (and your children) to get more out of teaching and preaching at church. Again, personal and family devotions equip you for corporate worship.

• It prepares your children's hearts for the gospel. As you teach them about God, sin, Jesus, repentance, faith, the new birth, and other biblical doctrines, your turning over the soil of their hearts so that the seed of the gospel might take root and produce faith.

As we have seen, family worship should be a part of family life. We have also seen there are important reasons to practice family worship, and several benefits to it. Tomorrow, we will look at how to have a family devotional time. What are your thoughts on family devotions? Does your family have devotional times together? If not, why not? If so, what do your devotional times look like? Leave a comment, I would love to hear from you.

Some Thoughts on Family Devotional Times

For the last couple of weeks, we have been reading The Jesus Storybook Bible, by Sally Lloyd-Jones, to Sophia.  This will our second time through it.  The back cover says the book, "tells the Story beneath all the stories of the Bible."  Each chapter relates a story from the biblical narrative, and then Lloyd-Jones shows how these stories point to Jesus.

I love Sally Lloyd-Jones describes the love of God.  She refers to it as his, "Never Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love."  Throughout the book she returns again and again to the phrase.  I have found myself trying to memorize and repeat it.  I think it captures the essence of God's love brilliantly.

I want Sophia, as she grows, to meditate long and hard on the "Never Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love," of God.  I want her to be able to see how all of Scripture points to Jesus, and The Jesus Storybook Bible is a good starting point.  More importantly, I desire for her to come to faith in the Christ revealed through the Word of God.

We are still trying to hammer out family devotional time.  We read the Bible story, and then pray.  Our aim right now is consistency and growth.  As this becomes a more important part of our time together as a family, we can add to it.  Eventually, I think our family devotional times will include many elements: Bible stories, prayers, songs, Scripture memorization, catechisms, etc.

How do you do family worship?  What methods and tools are you using to bring your children up in the nurture and admonish of the Lord?  How are you helping your children learn about the "Never Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love of God?"