When you think of “family devotions,” what comes to mind? Do you imagine an angelic moment of unearthly cooperation, where children listen as you tenderly open the Scriptures to eager little disciples? This is not impossible, but it’s not typical. More often than not, there is kicking under the table, wiggling in seats, interrupting questions about something completely unrelated, a barking dog, a ringing phone, and the moment passes without a single supernatural moment. So how can we create meaningful devotions amid a messy world? There is a way and it is beautiful!
Many, many “how to” articles have written about family devotions, but in Deuteronomy God Himself gives us a divine approach to meaningful, heartfelt devotions with our kids!
“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:5-9 ESV
1. Your Relationship with Jesus Matters
“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might…”
God begins by telling us to hide His Word in our own heart and to love Him with our entire being. Why? Because what’s inside of you comes out (Luke 6:45)! If we genuinely love the Lord and have tasted of His goodness, it will pour out of our mouths in a tangible, fresh way (John 7:38). It will be a fountain of life to our kids, and instead of a stale lifeless devotion, our talk of Jesus and His Word will be sweet like honey and bring life to those little ears (Pr.10:11; Ps. 119:103).
2. Season it with Spontaneity
“…talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise …”
“There’s no time like the present” is the perfect motto when it comes to “family devotions.” There’s a huge difference between “having” a devotion and “living” one. Both are important! There is structural value in reading a devotion with your kids, but there is practical value in being ready to seize a teachable moment. There are opportunities to share Jesus with them as you walk through the grocery store, when you’re cleaning, when you’re sitting around the table, when you’re driving in the car, and so on and so on.
Since the time my kids were toddlers, I have made it a point to spontaneously pray with them. We pray in the car, we pray as we take walks, and we pray when we see someone who obviously needs Jesus. The conversations that have been spawned from these sweet moments have been many and I’m so thankful I have kids who are willing to pray with me whenever and wherever.
3. Put on the Right Pair of Glasses
“…and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes…”
The right perspective makes all the difference! And the perfect perspective can ONLY be found in God’s Word. It’s where we learn who God is and what His will is for us (John 17:17; Rom. 12:2). It comforts us and gives us wisdom (Matt. 7:24). It lights up our night (Ps. 119:105) and gives peace (Isa. 26:3). It washes our minds and gives us power over sin (Eph. 5:26; Ps 119:9). And it does the SAME for our kids.
As we go through our day, it’s important to put on the right perspective – which only comes by asking, “What is God’s perspective?” This is how we are sanctified by the renewing of our minds and it is how our kids will learn to follow Jesus. Always ask each other, “What does the Bible say?” Then go find the answer together. This gives real life experience to an otherwise lifeless devotion.
This is not an easy three-step checklist to better devotions – it is a life of devotion that in return enriches devotional times. You see dear mom, Jesus knows exactly what your life looks like. He knows exactly who your kids are, their personalities, how they process, and how they think. He is orchestrating your days so in return you can walk out your faith together, a living devotion, a sermon in shoes.
So love the Lord, love His Word, and love those kids He has given you! Show them Jesus in every aspect of life and watch as your devotions come to life!
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:16-17 ESV
Sharon Kaselonis is an attorney, college professor, homeschool mom, and speaker whose passion is to inspire believers worldwide to read, know, and study the Bible for themselves. She is also the author of Jesus, Day by Day: A One-Year, Through-the-Bible Devotional to Help You See Him on Every Page. Previously, she practiced law in the Washington, DC, area before serving as the director of women‘s ministry at a large church in Jacksonville, Oregon. Kaselonis and her husband, Ray, live in Scottsdale, Arizona, with their children.
