And they’re off! With the bang of your hand against the alarm clock (or your iPhone hitting the floor), your day begins. A horse race would be less frantic as competition begins among your teenagers for time in the one bathroom in your house. What follows? Coffee, quick personal devotions, an even faster shower, dressing, dragging that one kid who won’t get out of bed out of bed, more coffee with breakfast, packing your bag for the day, packing your kids’ bags for the day, even more coffee, and the list goes on (stained by coffee). Then, everyone heads their separate directions. Something crucial gets left undone, but there’s no room for anything more.
What Is Missing?
What is missing is time together as a family before God. Family devotions sound kind of ideal. In the real world, does any Christian family actually do them? If so, how do they fit Scripture reading and prayer together into the chaotic rush of a weekday morning?
We prioritize what we find most important. For example, we get dressed before going out the door. At least, I hope we do. That just can’t not happen. We get our kids to school because there are consequences if we do not educate them. We make it to work on time because we cannot support our families without that paycheck. Shouldn’t family devotions be on this list of priorities that we just can’t not do each day?
Why Should Family Devotions be Such a Priority?
Here are six reasons why family devotions should become an integral part of your family’s culture. With each reason comes great opportunity for God and for the good of the children He has placed in your care.
- Family devotions are a way for parents to obey God’s command to train up their children in the way they should go in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 6:4). God gave fathers and mothers the primary responsibility of spiritually leading their children. Christian parents must view churches, youth outreaches, and Christian schools as supplements, not replacements, for their God-given task of raising godly children.
- Family devotions are an opportunity to train your children by example to put God first. Children learn from what they see you do. If you prioritize time with God personally and as a family, your children will know this is important (Matthew 6:33). If they rarely see you read the Bible alone or with them, they will conclude this is not a big deal in their own lives also. At home, children can learn what worship in the everyday looks like.
- Family devotions are a chance to connect with your children daily and build parent/child relationships on a solid, biblical foundation. Parent/child relationships can easily become distant. Parents and children seem to live in different worlds. The older the children get, the further the relationships often become. Family devotions provide a time to regularly interact about critical issues of life.
- Family devotions are an open door to hear your child talk of spiritual things and start gospel conversations that may lead to the child’s salvation at an early age. This time together is your opportunity for building on gospel truths your children hear elsewhere and discipling them once they come to Christ.
- Family devotions are an opportunity to teach and reinforce godly thinking and character. As you read the Bible with your children starting when they are young, you can listen to your children’s take on what they hear. You can discuss the truths you read and the examples you see together in the narratives of Scripture. You can also contrast what they see in the world with what God says in His Word.
- Family devotions are a way to give your children experience praying out loud with others. As each member of the family prays aloud each day, your children will gain confidence in taking their needs to Jesus. They will also hear you pray and learn from your example. When others ask them to pray before a meal or in a small group at church, your children will be ready.
Are You Seizing the Opportunity?
Christian parents, what an opportunity lies before you! Seize the time you have with your children before they grow up and move out. Make family devotions a priority each day just like dressing, eating breakfast, and drinking coffee (?!). I personally think that mornings are the best time for family devotions, but I realize that for some families and some occupations, this is just not possible. The key is setting aside a fixed time each day when the whole family can be together to read God’s Word and pray. Given the spiritual benefits listed above, what is more important in your daily routine? You just can’t not seize the opportunities that come with consistent family devotions.
The next article in this series on family devotions will address how to format your family devotions for do-ability, consistency, and enjoyment (rather than resentment) of your family.[1]
[1] Not sure how to practically lead family devotions? Subscribe to my author website and download a one-page summary to help you get started. You can also read more in other articles in the series on family devotions.
Some parents, particularly of older children, have used my missions devotional, Daring Devotion, as a supplement during their family devotions. A sequel missions devotional will be released in late November 2022.
