How many times have you thought about doing devotions with your children, maybe you've heard other people talk about it and you just don't know how to begin?
Here's five tips that might help you get started:
1. Keep it simple and at your child's level.
Choose a Bible or devotional book that your child can understand. Here's a couple that we would recommend:
For preschool:
Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd Jones
The Beginner's Bible by: Zonderkidzfor elementary:
"I Am" 100 Devotions about the Names of God by: Diane Stortz
God's Good News by Billy Graham
2. Do it in bite sized bits.
Five engaging minutes is better than 20 rambling ones. You might choose a Bible reading plan that takes you through key stories of scripture rather than every single word, when your children are younger.
3. Follow the H.E.A.R method
H Highlight/Hear the Scripture
E Explain what it means
A Apply it to your life
R Respond to it (which might be a family action or it might be a prayer).
4. Direct the plan to the older children more often than the youngest child.
Preschoolers can be kept engaged by playing games such as, "put your hand up every time you hear God mentioned."
5. Make it fun, be creative.
Make a fort and do it underneath with flashlights, eat a Smartie every time you hear a name of God, act it out, have older kids take turns reading, let kids draw what they are hearing.
Remember: more important than HOW you do family devotions is THAT you do family devotions. Don't get hung up on needing a PERFECT plan before you do something. Just start. Like anything else, you will get better as you go.