Family Devotions for Smarties

I would call this "Family Devotions for Dummies" but I don't want to offend anyone especially the "confession police." I find that most parents believe that they should have a time for family devotions and yet a surprising number of parents never do.Here are the common excuses that people give for not having family devotions followed by my responses.

I don't have enough time.Throw away your TV set and you will have lots of time.

I'm not a preacher and I don't know how to lead devotions.If you can read the Bible out loud and ask questions you can lead devotions. It's really, really easy.

My kids don't understand the Bible.If you are reading from the King James Bible this is probably true. I suggest using the NLV or NIV translation.

I don't have time to do my personal devotions and lead a time of family devotions.Then just do the family devotions. You will get fed as you lead and your kids won't be starving spiritually.

OK, I'm convinced, how do I lead family devotions?I'm glad you asked. Here's what you do.

Buy an NLV or NIV Bible for every member of your family. (Everybody has to have the same translation for this to work.)

Pick a book of the Bible to read that has a lot of stories (like one of the gospels).

Have all members of your family sit in a circle in living room or at the kitchen table.

Everyone takes turns reading two verses at a time. This way your kids won't be able to let their minds wander into "video game land".

Read one chapter per day. Ask questions. What did you get out of this today? If nobody "gets" anything, read it again. Next time they will "get something".

Have an awesome time leading your family devotions,