How to Have Successful Family Devotions
Remember that teacher you had in high school who droned on and on, reciting endless facts in a monotone voice? No doubt, that class didn’t make much of a positive impression on you. Your family devotions won’t make much of a positive impression on your kids, either, if it’s merely you giving a monologue. Interaction is the key to effective family devotions! If you’ve never had family devotions with your children (or even if you have), here are some keys to making them memorable:
Keep them Short- The younger your child, the shorter they should be. Five to ten minutes with preschool or elementary aged children may be all you need. Let your children be the guide: if they’re interested and actively involved, keep going. But, when you see their attention start to wane, it’s time to wrap it up.
Keep them Simple- Make it your goal to get one point across—the week’s Big Idea—and leave it at that. Even older children are more likely to remember the devotion if there is only one major point to think about.
Keep them Fun- Family devotions should be a time your kids look forward to each week. But, in order for them to have fun, you need to have fun, too. Look for ways to laugh and enjoy yourself. Your kids may not remember everything you say, but they’ll cherish the fun you have together—and so will you.
Keep them Consistent- Set aside the same night each week for devotions, if possible. You’ll be more likely to remember to do them. Once you make them part of your weekly routine, your kids will remind you if you forget! Having successful family devotions will take some time and effort on your part, but as you become more involved in your children’s spiritual growth and see the impact these times have on your children, you won’t regret it. These are the memories that will help lay the foundation for your children’s life-long relationships with Christ.
