Family Devotions are not a time for long-winded sermons. We can leave all that to the pastor on Sunday! Our wife and children can easily be turned off by overzealousness.

Isaiah 28:9-10 says, “Whom shall he teach knowledge? And whom shall he make to understand doctrine? Them that are weaned from the milk and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept: line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.”

This Scripture makes it abundantly clear that no one can reach adulthood or maturity without the brief, but regular milk from the breast of Family Devotions. As parents, we must be always ready to provide and impart spontaneous daily tidbits of spiritual wisdom and advice to the eager listeners who have lots of questions.

We need to note the words, “Here a little, and there are little.” This implies sharing little precepts of truth at any time and wherever we are (Deuteronomy 6:6-8) and also just enough to be able to take in and digest. Indigestion is not pleasant for the natural body, nor is it good for the inner man.

I think that 15 – 20 minutes in the Word, including questions and discussion, twice a day, is enough. Remember that children, as well as adults, do not have long attention spans.

To be continued. Be encouraged. Colin

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The seventh principle of Family Devotions is to keep it simple, easy, and not complicated. In order to maintain interest, dispel boredom, and hold the family’s attention we should remember to apply some appropriate and practical tips when reading the Word of God.

Firstly, read the Word clearly, eagerly, and enthusiastically. Make sure to emphasize certain words. There is nothing more deadly than reading the Word too quickly, too slowly, too boringly, and too indistinctly. Do not mumble God’s Word. We must remember that we are reading the holiest and most precious book in the entire world.

Ask questions. In order to keep the family’s minds focused on what is being read, ask several questions as you read. Ask different children to supply the answers. Make certain that both you and your family get the understanding of the main points. What is the point of reading the Holy Scriptures to your family if at the end they have no idea what is was all about?

Tomorrow we shall discuss why we should keep the reading brief and to the point.

Be encouraged. Colin


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Men, we must be available to lead our families. Absentee fatherhood is not fatherhood. Fathers need to make it a priority to be home to lead in Family Devotions.

The sixth principle for Family Devotions is to have every family member present (as much as possible). This Christian exercise is for the benefit of the whole family and everyone living under your roof, not just certain members.

If a member of the family is not feeling well enough to eat at the family table, he or she, of course, may be excused from Family Devotions. However, if they are hungry enough to eat at the table, they need to remain seated for Family Devotions. The family meal table is not only a place to feed the outer man, but to feed the inner man.

Each member of the family needs to participate in prayer. This enables them to be actively involved in calling on the Lord. Each member should also be ready and willing to answer questions regarding the Scriptures being read.

As the family grows and there come challenges to schedules for sports and all manner of activities, they should all be prioritized to fit around the higher priority we place on as many of our family as possible being involved with Family Devotions.

If the husband has to go to work very early, the wife or older son could fill in the gap. But, husbands and fathers, we need to be home to lead our families in the evening devotions.

We must take out place as the spiritual leaders of our families and we have to be home to make this happen.

Be encouraged. Colin


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Today we share Principle 3 for Family Devotions, that of worshipping God through the singing of hymns and spiritual songs.

In our family we do this at the end of our Family Devotions. However, it would be just as appropriate to do it at the beginning. I have noticed that when we sing at the end, everyone seems to get into the singing mood and continue singing as we clear the table and do dishes. This makes a great atmosphere.

In the tabernacle we note that the ministry of prayer, praise, and worship, typified by the golden altar of Incense, was situated at the end of the order of the service. The order…

1. The brazen altar representing Calvary.
2. The brazen laver representing the washing by baptism.
3. The candlestick representing the Holy Spirit’s work of illuminating the bread, which was opposite the candlestick and represented the Word of God.
4. Finally, the golden altar of incense representing prayer, praise, and worship which was situated directly before the Holy of Holies, representing the divine Shekinah presence of God.

I have often noticed a wonderful sense of God’s presence as we sing hymns and worship songs around our table. We often use the hymn books and ask the family to choose which one they would like to sing. Sometimes we sing up to three hymns as we end devotions.

Be encouraged. Colin

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