Faith, Family and Fun

 

and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. ~ I Timothy 3:15 NKJV

Do you remember gathering together with your parents and siblings for family devotions? I remember Mom and Dad setting aside a time each night to read the Bible and pray as a family before we went to bed. The TV was off, the radio was off and there were no electronics to interfere. My parents were purposeful in making sure faith and family were top priorities in our lives. As we went about our daily lives other things might prompt Mom or Dad to say something to remind us of the things in the Bible. Dad always loved to take us fishing and tell us stories or ask us questions that made us think. Maybe because he was thinking too. On one occasion I remember him pointing out how red the moon was that night. Then he told us the moon would turn to blood before the end of the world. (Acts 2:20) It was like telling ghost stories only it was truth from the Bible. Now sixty years later I still remember that fishing trip and that truth.

A friend of mine shared a new family devotions book with me. It's not scary. It's fun things to help children remember in a hands on way of the Truth found in scripture.  Perhaps it can help us all to begin to share our faith with our young children. Cathy D. Dudley's Faith Family & Fun family devotions book is a collection of twelve devotions that can be used as monthly lessons plus an extra for Easter and Christmas. Each lesson begins with a story a young child might identify with such as a lost dog suddenly returning home after week. Then there are four headings that connect each story with Biblical truth.

 The Bible Tells Me So 

    A scripture to connect the story to a Bible verse.

Prayer

    A prayer to connect the family to the Lord.

Activity

    A hands-on activity to imprint the lesson in the child's daily life.

Everyday Living

    A way to live out the truths the child has learned. 

Then there's the coloring page. Each devotion offers a coloring page for the child to recall the story again, reinforcing the lesson taught. 

Though there is only one for each month, parents can use that lesson in a variety of ways throughout the month so the story, the lesson, is not just a one-and-done devotion. 

Heavenly Father, help us tell our children, show our children, and reinforce to our children, Your love for each of us through stories, daily life, and fun because You are the One who brings us joy. In Jesus's name. Amen.