I can still remember in my early years, every evening after dinner, my parents would take the little “Our Daily Bread” booklet and read a devotional from it. The habit of daily devotions was firmly implanted within my heart and mind. Now, it seems quite natural for me to gather my family and open God’s Word, read a brief passage and discuss it together. Other times we will read a biography of a great Christian leader, or discuss a “hot topic” issue the kids are interested in, and explore what God’s Word has to say on the subject. We always close our time in prayer, for each other, for those we care about, and for the world.

But is there really benefit in this tradition? In Deut.6, Moses commanded the people of God to impress His teachings upon their children, at various times throughout the day. Proverbs 22:6 reminds us to “train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Repeatedly in Scripture we see the pattern of children being taught God’s truths, particularly from their parents, since the family is the most basic relational structure in society.

As I think about it, here are some of the benefits:

1. Regular family devotions implant God’s Word and God’s principles in our children in a world where they likely absorb many contrary examples.
2. Regular family devotions offer stability in the lives of family members in a world that is increasingly changing, diverse and unstable.
3. Regular family devotions can be an excellent forum for discussions, for parents to listen to their children and what they are experiencing and struggling with, and for children to learn about their parents mistakes and victories and lessons they have learned. Admittedly, our kids are not always eager to bare their souls to us, and at times even getting them to engage can be a challenge, but other times we are amazed at their perception.
4. Regular family devotions can bring a fractured or overly busy family a few minutes of harmony, of pulling away from the hectic pace, of regrouping together and reconnecting, which is right at the core of being a family. These are the people with whom we MOST BELONG, or at least that is the goal.
5. Regular family devotions set a pattern in our children’s hearts and minds that they will likely remember in the years to come, and hopefully replicate in their own families.

If you have never tried having family devotions, or have gotten out of the habit (which happens easily), I encourage you to make a commitment to pull away together as a family for at least 10 minutes each day, spend a bit of time in a passage of God’s Word, discuss it (or some subject) together, trying to get all members participating, and then pray for each other. You can also get creative and use music and singing, or activities, or whatever works for your family that pulls you together centered around the Lord. May you be blessed and encouraged as you enjoy this time together as a family.

Pressing on by God’s grace, Eric