Family Devotion 1: Preparing Our Hearts for Worship Theme: Preparing our hearts for worship Activity/Time: During breakfast or dinner Scripture: Ecclesiastes 5:1 - "Walk prudently when you go to the house of God." Devotion:
Introduction: Begin by asking, "What do you think it means to prepare for something important?" Discuss how we prepare for school, sports, or a special event.
Discussion: Explain that just like we prepare for these activities, we should also prepare our hearts when we go to church to worship God. Share how Solomon teaches us to think about God and focus on Him as we go to church.
Activity: As a family, take turns sharing one thing you are thankful for and one thing you want to pray about before going to church. This helps prepare your hearts to meet with God.
Prayer: Close with a simple prayer, asking God to help you focus on Him and prepare your hearts for worship.
Parenting Tip: Encourage your kids to think of church as a special time with God and to look forward to it with excitement.
Family Devotion 2: Listening to God Theme: Listening to God Activity/Time: During a car ride Scripture: James 1:19 - "Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath." Devotion:
Introduction: Ask, "Why is it important to listen carefully?" Discuss how listening helps us learn and understand better.
Discussion: Explain that when we go to church, we should be ready to listen to God. Solomon and James both remind us to be quick to listen and slow to speak.
Activity: Play a simple listening game. One person says a sentence, and the others have to repeat it exactly. Talk about how listening carefully helps us understand what God wants to say to us.
Prayer: Pray together, asking God to help you be good listeners, especially when He is speaking to you.
Parenting Tip: Encourage your kids to practice listening at home by taking turns sharing their thoughts and listening to each other.
Family Devotion 3: Being Careful with Our Words Theme: Being careful with our words Activity/Time: During a family walk or playtime Scripture: Matthew 5:37 - "Let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.'" Devotion:
Introduction: Ask, "Why do you think our words are important?" Discuss how words can help or hurt others.
Discussion: Explain that Jesus and Solomon teach us to be careful with our words, especially when we make promises. It's important to mean what we say.
Activity: Play a game where each person says something kind or encouraging to another family member. Talk about how our words can build each other up.
Prayer: Pray together, asking God to help you use your words wisely and to keep your promises.
Parenting Tip: Model careful speech by being mindful of your own words and encouraging your kids to think before they speak.
Family Devotion 4: Trusting God's Justice Theme: Trusting God's justice Activity/Time: During bedtime Scripture: Mark 4:22 - "For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open." Devotion:
Introduction: Ask, "Have you ever seen something unfair happen?" Discuss how it feels when things aren't fair.
Discussion: Explain that sometimes things seem unfair, but God sees everything and will make things right in His time. Solomon reminds us that God is in control.
Activity: Share a story from the Bible where God showed His justice (e.g., Joseph's story). Discuss how God worked things out for good.
Prayer: Pray together, asking God to help you trust Him even when things seem unfair.
Parenting Tip: Reassure your kids that God is always watching over them and will take care of them, even when life seems unfair.
Family Devotion 5: Finding Contentment Theme: Finding contentment Activity/Time: During a family meal Scripture: Hebrews 13:5 - "Be content with what you have." Devotion:
Introduction: Ask, "What does it mean to be content?" Discuss how being content means being happy with what we have.
Discussion: Explain that Solomon and the writer of Hebrews teach us to be content with what God has given us. It's a gift to enjoy what we have.
Activity: Go around the table and share one thing you are thankful for. Talk about how being thankful helps us be content.
Prayer: Pray together, thanking God for His blessings and asking Him to help you be content.
Parenting Tip: Encourage gratitude by regularly sharing things you are thankful for as a family. This helps cultivate a heart of contentment in your children.