This is NOT a post about how spiritual we are or how perfect our kids are. Far from it. I am tempted to not even write this because it could appear that I am trying to say, "Look what we're doing! Look what we're doing!" Again, that is not the case. Please hear my heart in this. This is also not a post about worshiping the family in case the title is confusing. May it never be.
Fellow bloggers Joe Thorn and Steve McCoy have written about this for some time. I just saw a post by Dr. Jim Hamilton on Russell Moore's blog about this as well and I wanted to point to it: http://www.russellmoore.com/index.php/2009/01/06/family-worship-in-2009/ .
If you have kids, I would really encourage you to take some time each morning and/or evening to spend with them in the Word of God and in prayer. We have always prayed with our kids every morning and night and the 20 minutes that I take them to school has been a time of talking through issues, prayer, and listening to a message together on the radio. We also do a ton of "as you go" type instruction during the day. Lately, we have also started going through a book of family devotions by Josh McDowell each evening. The kids are loving it and can't wait to do it each evening. Kieran, my 5 year old is in charge of the book and he always runs and gets it. It is a very approachable book and it has a scripture passage, a story to illustrate the passage, discussion questions, and a prayer. We adapt it and have great discussions around the scriptures and the topic. God has really been moving in the life of my family through this and I am seeing a greater spiritual sensitivity and desire to know and obey the Lord in my children. Kieran asked about salvation a couple of weeks ago and after some discussion, he prayed to receive Christ. He was incredibly sincere about it and really seems to understand.
I honestly do not know a busier family than my own. We try and limit activities, but being the pastor of a church of around 250 with no other full time staff and being the father of four kids has me out doing something just about every night of the week. We hit the ground running early every morning, go all day, and have something just about every night, whether it is getting together with another family, going to an event with the church, attending a school function, or, well, fill in the blank. It never ends. Still, we really make spending time together a top priority. We watch no television before the kids go to bed in the evenings. That really helps. And of course, we also have to put them to bed each night, so inserting this time together the 20 minutes or so before they go to bed has been no problem at all. It has been a huge blessing, actually.
I am still learning how to do this. I make huge mistakes. I am not trying to say that we are some type of an example in perfect discipline when it comes to this. Life is busy and we are always running and there are many families that I can point to that are likely more efficient in how they do this. But, I will tell you that doing this has been a huge blessing and it is something that I am glad is a part of my life. ANY family can take the time together to focus on the Lord and pray for one another no matter how busy you are. Turning off the television is the first step. Being intentional about time spent together is the next step. Honestly, I have the greatest kids and wife that I can imagine, and they are incredibly easy to encourage in this area. God has been good to me.
I guess that I am just writing this to encourage other dads and families to take time to go before the Lord together with your children. Whether it is in prayer, Bible study, and/or discussion, take time to go before the Lord together. Yeah, I said that twice. It bears repeating. You don't have to be a spiritual giant to do it. Just make yourself available. God will bless you in amazing ways when you do!
This is a great post, Alan. I hope other parents will be encouraged to do more devotional time with their kids.
Posted by: Kevin | February 14, 2009 at 07:29 PM
What's the name of that book?
Posted by: Rob Slagle | February 15, 2009 at 10:17 PM
Great post Alan, I too began the year with a family devotion on Mondays. Maybe I need to step it up and do nightly. We spend about an hour and all get our journals out and write what the Lord is speaking to us. Sometimes we go through your study on Matthew, sometimes we go through other passages, asking questions, sharing, etc. It has been really good. I have always wanted to do it in the past, but I guess I lacked courage or initiative. We have never had cable by choice, so that is not a struggle. Often the enemy (or self) tries to come against this time, but it is so worth the investment!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Laura | February 16, 2009 at 01:28 PM
Keep sounding the call, Alan. This is critical. You don't sound pious at all - just a man with a God-given passion to see families whole.
Posted by: Bryan Riley | February 18, 2009 at 10:45 AM