Regarding my recent posts about managing our homes, some have asked what we do for our family devotions each day. We gather together each morning and evening and we usually read THE DAILY LIGHT ON THE DAILY PATH. We use this devotional because it is only the Scriptures. It gives Scriptures on a certain theme for every morning and every evening of every day in the year. All you need to do is go to the date and the Scriptures are waiting for you to read! Isn’t that great? It’s so great, especially for husbands who may not know where to read in the Bible. It’s all waiting for them
When my husband reads, he asks lots of questions to get everyone involved. It’s important to make sure everyone is participating so they don’t fall into a dream and twiddle their thumbs with boredom. It’s easy for any of us to do this unless we are kept alert.
We always have our Bible reading at the end of the meal. I have found this such a blessing because you have the whole family together at the meal table. And the physical meal prepares us for the spiritual meal. In the Netherlands Christian families call their Bible reading time “Finishing up the Meal.” They wouldn’t leave the table until they had not only nurtured their physical bodies but fed their soul and spirit. The table is a place where we feed the whole man—body, soul, and spirit. If we allow our children to leave the table before we have fed them spiritually, we are letting the go half-fed!
We begin our reading before we have cleared the table. Truly? With all the dishes still on the table? Yes. I find that if everyone starts scraping plates, stacking dishes, and taking them to the counter, it breaks the whole atmosphere, and I can never get anyone back to the table again. So, I don’t let them leave! We don’t even notice the dishes on the table. This is an important secret.
After reading and sharing together, we all pray. Yes, everyone, right down to the littlest one who is just learning to talk. We learn to pray by praying. Prayer should be as familiar as breath to our children. They should grow up praying aloud. I also use Prayer Boxes on different issues which give ideas of subjects for the children to pray about. And then we sing a worship song or a hymn together.
I have two DAILY LIGHTS available through Above Rubies which you can purchase.
THE DAILY LIGHT ON THE DAILY PATH * PLUS CREATIVE WAYS TO READ GOD’S WORD TO YOUR CHILDREN (KJV)
This book has ideas at the beginning of each month on how you can keep your children “on their toes” and listening. You will find them most helpful.
Or
THE DAILY LIGHT ON THE DAILY PATH (NKJV)
This book has the same Scriptures but does not list the ideas.
May you be blessed and encouraged.
Nancy Campbell