The summer sun was streaming through our sunroom windows as I looked up from my Bible to the giggles of my two blond-haired kids. It struck me how fast they were growing up as they were playing Legos in the floor in front of me. Today, the Lone Ranger, Tonto and Superman were helping the Lego Friends with the horses at the stable. One had been scared off by a scary pirate and it was up to the Lone Ranger to save the day!
I loved seeing them use their creativity to save the world! Even more, though, than their creativity with Legos, I love seeing them grow in their knowledge and understanding of God. I love it when I see them making choices which honor God. One of my favorite scripture passages; I pray over my kids is Philippians 1:9,
“And, this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ- to the glory and praise of our God.”
It’s easy during the warm summer days to let time slip by without being intentional about spiritual growth. If you are like me, you probably feel like you have just passed the finish line when the last school bell rings for the school year and your evenings are no longer filled up with as many extra-curricular activities or homework assignments. As you take time to soak in the sun with your kids, consider how you can help them continue to grow closer to God during these months when time is not as constrained.
One of my favorite ideas for focusing on prayer is the “Prayer Jar”. I love getting my kids involved in making it too. All you need is some popsicle sticks and a jar. Have your kids join you around the table and write on popsicle sticks the names of friends and loved ones for which they would like to pray for over the summer. As your kids are writing the names, add scriptures to sticks that you can pray for others as well. For older kids, after you brainstorm who to pray for have them reach out to someone on the list and ask for specific prayer requests to add to a stick. Utilize the prayer jar at mealtimes when you are together. I have found this option to be really helpful with my daughter who is nervous about praying out loud. The prayer jar helps her focus on just one person, ministry or verse which takes away the anxiety.
If you are looking for a fun creative way to share scripture with your kids this summer, check out the monthly resource at Faith and Family Box. It’s like VBS brought to your doorstep! It’s fun monthly themes, games, conversation questions and devotion will definitely engage even the hardest to reach kid.
You’ve got this! Be intentional with spiritual growth this summer and be amazed at what God will do inside you and your kids.
Katrina Dorroh lives in North Carolina with her husband, Robert and two teens: Caleb and Kaitlyn. Katrina has a Master’s of Divinity Degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and has been in ministry for over 25 years. She is a writer, minister, speaker, wife and mom. Katrina is the Founder of Faith and Family Box. A monthly subscription box which comes alongside families and resources them to have fun-faith-filled nights once a month.
