Tips for Family Devotions

1. Tips for Family Devotions Prepared by Ben Malan

2. Reasons to Have Family Devotions • Reading together helps you grow together. • Parents have the primary responsibility for training their children spiritually. • There is more motivation to do a big thing when you are part of a group.

3. Ezra 7:10 • For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.

4. Fears of Family Devotions • I don’t know how to do it! • There is no wrong way to do family devotions. Any way of doing it is better than not doing it. • If you did not grow up doing family devotions, it can feel awkward at first. However, as you are consistent, your children will grow up thinking it is natural, and when they start their own families they will want to continue it.

5. Fears of Family Devotions • What if my child asks a question and I don’t know the answer? • There are many times that the Holy Spirit gives you the answer when you need it. • It’s okay if you don’t always know the answer. You can use it as a chance to learn together through studying the Bible more or consulting other resources.

6. Fears of Family Devotions • What if we don’t have time? • Incorporate it into the time that your family is already spending together. • You could do it any time of the day. • If you are too busy to read the Bible, you’re too busy!

7. Fears of Family Devotions • What if we miss a couple of days? • You could try to catch up with the chapters that you missed. • You could skip the ones that you missed, and look for opportunities later to read them. • Either way, it’s up to you.

8. Components of Family Devotions • Three main components: • Bible reading • Discussion/ teaching • Prayer • Optional component: Worship

9. Bible Reading • Two chapters a day, 4-5 times per week. • Choose the days of the week that are best for your family’s schedule.

10. Discussion and Teaching • The church is providing helpful questions to start these discussions, but feel free to think of your own. This will come more natural over time. • Three types of questions: • Review questions “Who did…? Who said…” • Processing questions “Why did…? What if…?” • Application questions “What should we do?”

11. Discussion and Teaching • One easy way to process the chapters is to have each family member share something that they learned.

12. Prayer • Ideas of prayer topics: • Pray for each family member • Pray for those outside your family Additional tip: Write down your prayer requests. Frequently check to see which requests have been answered.

13. Prayer • One more important prayer topic: • Pray about what you read in the Bible When we read the Bible, God speaks to us; when we pray, we speak to God. After someone speaks to you, it is logical to respond to them relating to what they told you. For example, after reading a Bible passage: • If the passage gives us a greater understanding or appreciation of God, verbalize that to Him. • If the passage calls us to obey God in some way, ask for the strength to do so. • If the passage shows the results of sin, have a time of personal reflection and confession.

14. Another Helpful Resources • The pamphlet “How to Have Family Devotions” published by Good News Publishers.