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Dear
<<&KEY5>>,
Devotions for
“Active” Families… (part 2)
Last issue we discussed
ways to have family devotions, even if your kids are “active.” This issue we want to share a basic pattern
that Carolyn Williford describes in her book “Devotions
for Families That Can’t Sit Still.”
I hope they are helpful in helping you develop the patterns in your
own home.
- Short Prayer First. If
your kids are too keyed up for concentration, or concern for others, a
longer prayer time may not be appropriate. Thus, share only a short prayer at the
beginning, asking God to direct your time together.
- Bible Reading.
This comes next because their ability to sit still and
listen for details is the highest at this point. Any major points that you want to
impress on them are made here, for later they’ll be much too wiggly to
absorb the heavier information.
- Activities.
Saving the most exciting activities for last is always a
must. We found that once the boys
are in high gear, there is virtually no way to then return to a calm,
instructional type of teaching.
It is really unfair to expect this of children; they just can’t
switch gears as quickly as adults.
- Closing Prayer.
Focusing on spiritual principles during the devotion seems to
have made an impression concerning the importance of prayer. You may need to cut this time short
because of concentration problems, but most of the time their prayers
reflect an understanding and personal application of what we have just
learned together. Use this time
to share prayer requests and pray for each other, which is a real bonding
experience as a family.
Hopefully this
information will help you, as a family, develop a pattern for devotions that
fit into your schedule. Don’t feel bad
if you can’t have devotions everyday.
My motto: Try to have them more
often than not.
Until next time…
Bruce McCracken
Founder, House on the Rock Family Ministries
If you found this
information helpful, we have made other Pebbles of Truth articles
available on our website (www.hotrfm.org).
Each month we feature articles on the topics of: men's issues, marriage,
blended families, parenting, and church ministry to families. You will also
find a great deal more information about House on the Rock Family
Ministries! Thanks for visiting.
Please feel free to forward this to friends and family … we just
ask that you keep it intact … thanks
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