Archive for how to do family devotions

using scripture in family devotions

Podcast 83 – How to use scripture in your family devotions

Posted by Carey 
· Wednesday, July 30th, 2014 

How to make use of scripture in your family devotions

Christian Home and Family subscribe on Stitcher! Miro Video Player listen on player.fm

Or if you are using a “podcatcher” here is the feed address: https://christianhomeandfamily.com/feed/podcast/

USING SCRIPTURE IN FAMILY DEVOTIONS

HOW DO YOU ACTUALLY DO A FAMILY DEVOTIONAL TIME?

  • For my family it consists of three parts: Song, Scripture, Prayer
  • We covered the song part last week  – www.ChristianHomeandFamily.com/82
  • This week we’ll talk about how to include scripture in your family devotional time.

Here’s an example of how I’d go about it… let’s use this passage…

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. – Psalm 103:1-5

TAKE IT SLOW

  • Make sure words like “bless”, “soul”, “benefits”, and “iniquity” are understood… remember podcast 81?
  • Explore the meanings through discussion (you don’t have to give all the answers).
  • There’s going to be no meaning and no impact if the passage is not understood.
  • Depending on the age / spiritual maturity you may only take 1 verse at a time – that’s OK.

ASK QUESTIONS (that require more than “yes / no” answers) – here are some examples:

  • What are some reasons the LORD wants us to bless Him?
  • What do you think it means that God’s name is “holy?”
  • What is forgiveness? How has God forgiven you?
  • What impression does this passage give you of God?

TELL STORIES FROM YOUR OWN LIFE THAT ARE APPLICABLE

  • Your kids need to hear about God’s work in your life.
  • It gives them real-life examples.
  • It demonstrates a pattern of how God deals with people.
  • It shows them how sinful people can relate to God.

END WITH PERSONAL APPLICATION – here’s some examples I might ask based on this passage…

  • Let’s list all the benefits the LORD has given to our family, or to us as individuals.
  • What ideas do you have of how WE can bless the LORD for all He’s done?

Carey does speaking on this and other topics. You can find out more here.

Music used by permission of Adam Rey at www.HeyReyGuitar.com

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Include music in family devotions

Podcast 82 – Integrating music into your family devotions

Posted by Carey 
· Wednesday, July 23rd, 2014 

How to integrate music into your family devotions

Christian Home and Family subscribe on Stitcher! Miro Video Player listen on player.fm

Or if you are using a “podcatcher” here is the feed address: https://christianhomeandfamily.com/feed/podcast/

USING MUSIC IN FAMILY DEVOTIONS

Including music for the sake of worship is not an easy task for most people

If you’re not musically inclined, what do you do? Before we get into the “how” part of including music in your family worship, there’s one other step we need to take first…

Talk with your family about the “WHY” behind singing…

  • Why do we sing to God in the first place?
  • It’s not only that it’s fun (though it is), it’s one way that we worship God. And remember, younger children may need an explanation of worship. See podcast 81 for details on how to go about that.
  • In singing we are speaking truths about God and to God
  • When we sing ABOUT God, it’s for our sake – to increase our faith and remind us of the truths we believe.
  • When we sing TO God, it’s in worship, for all that He is and does, to show our love and appreciation.
  • Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. (Ps. 95:1-2)

 The easiest way I’ve found to use music is to make use of “sing along songs”

  • These are songs that you may have on a CD, mp3, or other source that is professionally produced… and your family just sings along!
  • You have a professional leading you, so the pressure’s off. You don’t have to be musical at all.
  • No instruments are needed, though you could include them if you like.
  • Everyone will be able to follow along
  • Most of the time, kids love it.
  • Find this kind of music on YouTube, internet apps like Spotify or your own collection.

A method that’s a bit harder is to use a Hymnal or song book

  • You have to know the songs well in order to do this one, and someone needs to be able to sing moderately well to start the tunes.
  • You can sing a cappella (no instruments) if you know the songs well.
  • Another option is to use songs the kids know from Sunday school (Jesus loves me, This little light of mine, etc.)

What if they won’t sing?

  • When a person won’t sing, it’s usually a heart issue, not a singing issue.
  • Find out what’s going on.
  • Is there some embarrassment? Bitterness? Something painful that needs to be explored?
  • Your job is not to get them sing, but to find out why they won’t.
  • Patient, loving inquiries will get you there in time.

Next week – Using scripture in Family devotions Carey does speaking on this and other topics. You can find out more here. Music used by permission of Adam Rey at www.HeyReyGuitar.com

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family devotions with smaller children

Podcast 81 – Family devotions with small kids in the mix

Posted by Carey 
· Wednesday, July 16th, 2014 

Family Devotions with small children in the mix

Christian Home and Family subscribe on Stitcher! Miro Video Player listen on player.fm

Or if you are using a “podcatcher” here is the feed address: https://christianhomeandfamily.com/feed/podcast/

FAMILY DEVOTIONS WITH YOUNG KIDS IN THE MIX

Before we begin to talk about the “how to” portion of family devotions with younger kids involved, let’s remind ourselves of the purpose of family devotions…

  • PURPOSE OF FAMILY DEVOTIONS: Facilitate heart-level connection between your family members and the God of the universe.

That kind of connection IS possible in the hearts and minds of younger kids. Don’t underestimate their capacity to make very real connections with the living God.

The challenges with YOUNGER CHILDREN:

  • Attention span
  • Understanding
  • Mixture of ages (How can you engage the younger children without losing the older ones – or vice versa?)

SUGGESTIONS FOR DEVOTIONS WITH YOUNGER KIDS

1. Think like a child…

  • Don’t assume too much
  • God, Jesus, sin, cross – all of these are words they may not understand.

2. Take it slow…

  • Ask questions to gauge comprehension
  • Don’t move ahead if they don’t get it
  • Make deeper topics a project, over time

3. Keep it simple…

  • One simple point is enough.
  • No need for a 3 point sermon or loads of illustrations.
  • Once they “get it,” you’re good.

4. Apply it in a relevant way… relevant to the child, that is.

  • They know “love” in the context of family and friends, so give illustrations related to those contexts.
  • If you want to illustrate the concept of “mercy”, go back to the last time they were disciplined and talk about what it would have been like if they’d received mercy… and why they didn’t.
  • Always emphasize God’s desire to help them obey His truth. That’s called “grace” and it’s why Jesus came to die.

5. If older kids are involved too… dismiss the younger kids, give an activity while you continue the conversation Next week – Using music in family devotions Carey does speaking on this and other topics. You can find out more here. Music used by permission of Adam Rey at www.HeyReyGuitar.com

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Getting started with family devotions

Podcast 80 – Getting started with family devotions

Posted by Carey 
· Wednesday, July 9th, 2014 

HOW TO START FAMILY DEVOTIONS

Christian Home and Family subscribe on Stitcher! Miro Video Player listen on player.fm

Or if you are using a “podcatcher” here is the feed address: https://christianhomeandfamily.com/feed/podcast/

How to begin your own family devotions

UNDERSTAND YOUR PURPOSE

  • Family devotions are intended to facilitate heart-level spiritual growth. They are not just about getting more knowledge into your head (or the heads of your kids). So your goal in devotions should never be to teach your kids to be perfect little theologians, having all the answers to every questoion, or applying religious formulas for a happy day/life.
  • Family devotions are about relationship – between each member of your family and God. Your family devotionals are for the purpose of pointing every one of you, every day, toward God and His purpose for your lives.

That can be done at breakfast, before bed, after dinner – or all of the above. You pick and be consistent.

SOME FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLES FOR PARENTS

1. Be real

  • From your real-life experience (no fakers allowed). You need to demonstrate what an authentic relationship with God looks like, warts, mistakes, and all.
  • Be who you are. Don’t get over enthused about family devotions just because you want your kids to be excited. Be who you are and let God lead you in the enthusiasm part.

2. Use your Bible

  • When you pick up the scriptures, your demonstrating that there’s something of value between the covers of that book.
  • Makes the scriptures an authority to your kids, not just an irrelevant old book.

3. Be flexible

  • Stuff will happen. Phones will ring, burps will happen in the midst of prayers, readers will mispronounce words as they read the scriptures. Roll with it. God is sovereign over all those things and will use them
  • Relax.

4. Trust God to use every effort.

Remember that God is in control, and He wants your family close to Him, more than you want them close to Him. He’ll handle it. You need to let Him lead.

 Next podcast – Doing family devotions when small children are in the mix

Carey does speaking on this and other topics. You can find out more here.

Music used by permission of Adam Rey at www.HeyReyGuitar.com

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