Skip to main content

family devotions


Deuteronomy 11:19 NLT
Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.

It has been almost 6 years since our family began one of the most important things we have ever done.  That is our family devotions.  Each night before we go to bed we stop and turn off as many distractions as possible.  We then read Scripture together and pray.  For Julie, our children, and me this is an important time.

I want to spend a few minutes sharing with you some of the pieces of our daily family devotions.  Some of these items have helped us be successful and to keep going.

DON'T STOP.  Keep on and make sure it happens every night.  Even if one of the family is gone, we still do our devotions.  One of the cool parts of technology that has helped us is FaceTime from Apple.  We can do devotions together even when I have to be away.

HAVE A READING PLAN.  Right now we are reading a devotion about great spiritual character traits.  We use reading plans from the YouVersion Bible.  It allows you to read certain parts of the Bible on a schedule.

PRAY OUT LOUD.  This is a big piece for me.  I love to hear my children pray, and it also teaches them and gives them confidence to pray out loud.  I love to hear my children pray for other people. 

We have missed some nights but only a few.  After the first few months our kids would not allow us to miss family devotions.  Some nights they just can't happen, like when we have to be out real late or when a crisis has occurred, yet that is very rare.

Like most families we will have one of our kid's friends over to spend the night.  We make sure to include them in our devotions.  When family visits or a church guest is here, they are included too.

You might want to hold right there for a minute.  Some of you are thinking that I am a bit hard or something like a tyrant to make this happen.  Folks, I have to guard against that because God called me to help my family see and experience the same grace and get the same 2nd chances that we offer people in ministry. 

Devotions are not something we are legalistic about.  There is not a right way or a wrong way to do it.  The biggest component is that everyone needs to have a part and to listen in.  Every child has a part of this. 

JUST DO IT.  Yeah.  Yeah.  This slogan belongs to Nike, but it speaks volumes to you and to me.  Start somewhere.  Start tonight.  Do it at the dinner table when you are eating or gather around one person in their bed as you all get ready for sleep.  We gather in the family room.

Want some more hints?  Just ask.  We have used some Scripture and some tools and books that have helped us along the way.  Read something that includes Scripture or just something from the Bible, connect with each other and then pray.

We are convinced that our family is stronger than ever because of our commitment to have family devotions together.

James 5:16 NASB
Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.


NOTE: much of this post was first shared in October of 2011.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Catalyst ticket arrived

My ticket to the Catalyst Conference, in Atlanta Oct 8-10, just arrived. I'm excited!
10 comments
Read more

wash feet, sharing hope

  John 13:4-5,14 NLT  So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him… 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. Jesus set the example we follow.  He served.  He valued and gave value to others.  That is why we choose to serve. For 18 years our church has shared an outreach called back2school, and for 16 of those years we have chosen to give students brand new shoes and socks as well as washing their feet.  It is one of the most important parts of this event. Washing feet is a humbling experience where both the give and the receiver learn how to share some moments that might change their lives.  Jesus said we should do this.  See the verse above.  Follow His example, do what He did, and give far more than you will ever know....
Post a Comment
Read more

Have you heard of EDITH BURNS?

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas . She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns.  One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns.  When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her.  Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns.  Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved.  Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying,"My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?"  Beverly said, "Why yes I do."  Edith said, "Well, what do you ...
Post a Comment
Read more