You likely know that over the past 70 years or so, children raised in the church have been leaving the faith. Perhaps worse, children who grew up in “Christian homes” are increasingly facing the world with an anemic faith that leaves them unable to stand up against the secularism of our day.
As parents, we can be part of changing the course for God’s people for generations to come! It begins with a desire to love God, God’s Word itself, and the intention to pass on the faith to our own children.
Incorporating regular family worship, including Bible devotions, in our family is a critical element of passing the faith from generation to generation. Regardless of our children’s ages, spiritual disciplines like Bible reading can be taught, learned, and enjoyed. As parents, we engage young hearts and minds with God’s Word by making the Bible come alive for our children. We can do this by:
- using age-appropriate, hands-on activities
- practically connecting biblical principles with what is happening in the life of our family, both at home and in our community
When Bible devotions become a part of our family’s regular routine, what can happen? God is glorified. Hearts become soft, cultivated soil where the truth of God can take root. Relationships between God and one another grow and blossom! When we are living out God’s design, our children will be naturally equipped with the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18) to stand up to the lies of the surrounding culture.
How might our children look different if we raised them in homes that prioritized spiritual disciplines like Bible reading, worship, prayer, and service in the name of Jesus Christ? God does not promise that our children will accept Him as Lord and Savior, but we must be obedient to the call that God has given to us as parents (Psalm 78:2-7). We trust Him to lead our children to salvation! We believe that God will bring glory to Himself as our children live out a passionate and compassionate faith. We take God at His Word that He will use us and our children to take the Good News to the ends of the earth (Matthew 28:18-20)!
About the author: Jenna is a pastor’s wife, mom of a cancer survivor and his brave sister, and Director of Family Time Training. She has social media accounts she rarely uses, enjoys reading in bed at 9 pm, and after 20 years has almost perfected her tennis scoring. Jesus and her family are the joy of her life.
Learn More
Looking for simple Bible devotions for your family? Family Time Training’s short, hands-on devotions will engage your children and help your whole family enjoy learning God’s Word together.
If you’re searching for devotions that give your family the big picture of the Bible, check out One Big Story – 52 interactive devotions that take you from Genesis to Revelation. Help your family discover what God is doing in our world and how you fit into His story.
