The Impact of Family Devotions
When I was young, most mornings before I went to school, my mom would read something short from the Bible or a Christian book. There was nothing too complicated about what we did. This time of “family devotions” each morning probably wasn’t everything my mom would have wanted it to be. But my mom’s consistency to gather us together for a time of worshiping God left an impression on me. Because I learned from her that God is a priority every day. We don’t just run to God when life is hard, or make time for God when our schedule is unrushed and easy – but my mom taught me that God deserves our allegiance and affection every day of every year for the full duration of life. That time of family devotions taught me something important about what it means to worship God.
Many American Christians, though, don’t have a category for what it means to worship God at home, with other people in their household. Many people seem to think that following Jesus is just an individual exercise, where parents and children retreat to separate places in the house, where they can have private quiet times and personal Bible reading. Or, on the flip side, many other Christian homes have little or no spiritual conversation whatsoever, and spiritual activities are reserved for a space of 90 minutes on Sunday mornings. Of course, I would totally affirm to my neighbors that they should be privately faithful, and public members of a local church in Mt Pleasant, MI. Yet even though it’s true that Christianity should be embraced as deeply personal, and even though it should be regularly exercised in the gathering of God’s people on Sundays, our faith should also be lived out in our homes, alongside of our family members.
What Does the Bible Say about Family Worship?
This pattern is clear from God’s dealings with his people through history. When God established a special kind of personal relationship (a covenant) with a man named Abraham, he explicitly made it clear that the covenant and its promises were intended not just for Abraham, but also for his children (cf. Genesis 17:7). And speaking later to Abraham’s descendants (known today as the Jews), God says, “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7). The Proverbs of the Bible, written hundreds of years after this, continue to exhort fathers to instruct and discipline their children in God’s wisdom. And in the New Testament, fathers continue to carry this responsibility for the spiritual instruction of their households (Ephesians 6:4). The Bible makes it clear that discussing God and delighting in him is supposed to be a regular part of our family life.
Practical Encouragements on Family Devotions
But what should “Family Devotions” (or “Family Worship,” as some have called it) look like? The specifics will be different depending on the size and circumstances of the household. But let me highlight a couple practical encouragements.
First, for you young adults who live away from your parents (whether you live alone or with roommates) – make sure that you set aside a regular time in the day for devotional time with the Lord. And if you have roommates, set aside time for you all to read the Bible and revere God together. The amount of time isn’t ultimately important here. Far too often we can think we’ve been successful because of how much time we’ve spent doing a “religious activity.” But the important thing has nothing to do with watching a clock, and everything to do with focusing our attention on our Creator, Sustainer, and Savior. Your devotion to God mustn’t be a matter of dutiful exertion, but of divine enjoyment. And by insisting on these good patterns for yourself and the young adults around you, you may be very well serving your future family members (or the future family members of your roommates!)
Second, for those of you who are married with kids, I understand that life can be crazy. (We have a lot of kids, so I get it!) And it can be tricky when you have older kids who are able to engage at a higher level, and younger kids who want to sing the theme song to Little House on the Prairie while everyone else is trying to pray. But, Dads (I’ll especially direct this word to you, because God’s Word directs this to you), you need to make time to lead your family spiritually. Take 5 or 10 minutes early in the day, or before kids go to bed. And moms, you can be involved and encourage this, too. You can pray, then read a section of the Bible, then give whatever questions or commentary you think is helpful, and then close in prayer again. Keep it simple, especially if you’re starting this as a new pattern in your home. And don’t be afraid if questions come up that you can’t answer. Don’t brush your kids’ questions off. Instead, be thankful that your kids are curious about God’s Word! Write the questions down and take them to your pastor. Allow your time of family devotions to deepen your kids worship and wonder before the greatness of God. The long-term fruits will be worth it.
Third and finally, for those of you who are older, who no longer have kids in the home, continue to gather with whoever may be in your household (a spouse, visiting grandchildren, a sibling, etc), and continue to pursue the Lord just as earnestly in your years of maturity as you did in your years of youthful ignorance. The day in which you will see Christ in his glory is not further and less relevant, but nearer today than ever before. Though it is easier to turn on a TV than to open your Bible – though it may be harder to undo those bad time-management habits from the past that have distracted you from worshiping God in your home – today is the right time to redirect your heart and household into a daily walk with God.
Holy Households Are Happy Households
God desires for the homes of his people to be set apart. The homes of Christians should look different from the homes of unbelievers. And if our homes don’t look any different, it shouldn’t be surprising to us if we, our roommates, or family members begin to stagnate or struggle in our faith.
If God is really the Master of the Universe, and if God really is our God, then our daily patterns should include family devotions – a time of worshipping God as a household. Is this pattern present in your household? I hope that this article spurs you on to encourage family devotions. But if you’re still confused or would like guidance, reach out to your pastor or a respected Christian friend for advice. I hope the Lord sweetens your relationship with him in the years ahead!
