“Okay children, listen.  Today is a very special day.  We are going to see a very special Rabbi named Yeshua, who has come to our village.  So I want you all to be on your best behaviour.”

Little heads solemnly nodded in unison.

“There are many people waiting to see Yeshua, so everyone hold hands.  Stay together and stay close to us.”  And with that, the parents and children headed out.

Soon the children were confronted with a wall of giant adults.  All they could see were legs and feet.

The parents squeezed, pushed, and wove their way through the wall of humanity.  Wide-eyed, the little ones followed like the wake of a boat.

Finally, space opened up slightly.  But there was one more wall of men in front of them.  One of the men spoke up: “Yes?  How can I help you?”

“Please, sir, we have brought our children to see the Rabbi, so that He may bless them.” The group huddled closer.

“What?” came the indignant reply.  “You brought children to see the Master?  No!  He is far too busy for that! Take them away!”

Admitting your pain in prayer and seeking forgiveness from each other models authentic faith to your observant kids.

You could almost taste the heartbroken sigh that emanated from the small frames.  Parents turned and prepared to herd the little group back through the pressing crowd.

“Wait!” came a loud command.

All heads turned. “Let these children come to me!  These are the most important people in my kingdom!  Children, come here!”  The voice was loud but full of joy!

The men parted, and there in the middle was Yeshua, on His knees, His arms opened wide, with laughter in His eyes.

Giggles erupted and the children all ran to Him.  They sat with Yeshua, touched Him, and hugged Him.

It was as if the world had faded away.  He listened to their stories.  He kissed their scratches and scrapes.  He patiently answered their questions.

And best of all, He prayed blessings over them.

Did you know that you can bring your kids to Christ like this?  This picture changed my attitude about family devotions.

Now I look forward to our time!  If you want to read the original account, look up Matthew 19:13-15.

Growing Up With God

I grew up in a home where we ended every day with my parents reading Bible passages and teaching the meaning.  We took time to connect with each other and with the Lord in prayer.

Though I don’t remember the lessons, I remember that my parents demonstrated the love they had for Jesus with my sister and me.  They gave us an example to follow about the need to spend time with Christ.

Keep technology out of reach or off during your devotion time.

Family devotions are a beautiful opportunity for parents and children to connect and communicate together every day.  This routine gave my sister and me an openness to ask questions and seek answers in the Bible as a family.

And I learned that I could run to Jesus every day and He would faithfully guide me.

My husband and I are carrying on this legacy with our children.  The time we take to usher our kids into the presence of God has given us many chances to share the gospel message and see them grow spiritually.  And we are grateful every day!

Getting Started

 So you might be asking: “Where do we start?”  Here are a few ideas to help you.

1. Pray

First of all, PRAY!  Ask the Lord to give you wisdom as you look into crafting a routine for devotions in your home.

Jesus is eagerly waiting to guide you through the following tips:

Explore the time that works best for your family.  We like to finish the day with our kids in the Bible.  Maybe that won’t work for your family.

When are you all likely to be home at the same time?  Is there a good time for you to take a break from the stress of life and connect?

Family devotions are a beautiful opportunity for parents and children to connect and communicate together every day.

Also, look for Bible-based devotional books that are age appropriate.  We have a 13-year-old and a three-year old, so we aim for something in the middle with a verse for every day.

What are your kids ready for?

2. Disconnect From Technology

Keep technology out of reach or off during your devotion time.  This might be difficult at the beginning.

If your kids are old enough, explain the importance of connecting as a family and with the Lord.

This can only happen if everyone is focused and engaged in reality.  Does the thought of disconnecting from your device give you anxiety?  Have you thought about why?

3. Be Vulnerable

Allow yourself as a parent to be vulnerable and honest with your kids about your spiritual journey.

That gives them permission to be open and honest with you and the Lord.

My mom used to say: “If you are mad at God you might as well tell Him how you feel.  He knows anyway.”

Explore the time that works best for your family.

Her prayers reminded me of Psalms.  She would pour out her frustration, speaking honestly from her heart, but would always end by telling God she trusted Him.

Recently, I’ve had a chance to seek forgiveness from my family.

We just moved, and I allowed the stress to get to me.  I lost my temper with my husband and kids.  So I called a family meeting to say I’m sorry and seek their forgiveness.

Admitting your pain in prayer and seeking forgiveness from each other models authentic faith to your observant kids.

Conclusion

Time is precious in our busy lives.  Finding personal time for Christ can be a daily struggle.

But family time with Him is also vital.  Devotions bring the family together, connecting us to each other and to the Lord.

It opens the door to spiritual learning, setting an example to our kids for a lifetime of dependence on Christ (Deuteronomy 6:1-7).

Proverbs 22:6 says:  “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”

Are you ready to bring your kids into the open arms of their Saviour?

* Check out Betsy Whittaker’s next article in this two-part series, Three More Tips On Building A Culture of Family Devotions.