31 Days to Bless Your Home, and How to Have Fun Doing It Too!
Week 1: The Spirit of the Home: Creating an Atmosphere Where the Fruit of the Spirit Abounds
Day 2: Family Devotions Do Not Have to Be Dull.
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33 NKJV
Well? How did Day 1 go for you? Isn’t it wonderful to have a peaceful home in which to relax and be refreshed? I learned so much from researching the six areas in which we can learn to cultivate peace in our homes. I hope you will continue the things that you learned beyond the fall challenge.
What kind of music did you enjoy yesterday? As I am writing this, I have gone back to the Michael Buble playlist I began yesterday morning. I always say that his voice reminds me of egg nog – smooth and sweet! What a difference peaceful and soothing music makes to the atmosphere of our homes! Why don’t we continue yesterday’s challenge as a daily habit during our month long challenge? I am already getting my music ready. I think I’ll listen to Kari Jobe today. I already feel my soul soaring just thinking about her beautiful worship music!
As we begin day two, I want to grab your attention and help you realize that today’s focus is the most important of all the challenges we will do this month. The most vital decision you can ever possibly make for yourself and for your family is to say “Yes” to God. Before we talk about ways to make family devotions exciting, we must first be sure that we are setting a genuine example for our children. Let our children, husbands, and other loved ones see that we have hearts fully devoted to God. Let’s be real. When they see that our relationship with God is genuine, they will be more receptive to walking with God themselves.
I am speaking to you especially, wives and mothers, you who truly long to build strong and happy homes for your families, as well as you young ladies who are planning in your hearts how you will someday be as a wives, mothers, and homemakers. I am telling you that none of the self-help books, homemaking blogs, or books on fulfilling womanhood will give you the results for which you are seeking without first making the commitment that as for you and your house, you will serve the Lord. Let’s go all in!
I imagine that most of you that are reading this wonder if this is even relevant for you since you have probably already made a commitment to the Lord and are walking in a relationship with Him. I can tell you that I have loved the Lord with all my heart since I was a little girl; however, my home has not always been a reflection of Christ. It was not until I learned to put Him first and yield myself, my family, and my home to Him wholeheartedly that I discovered the spirit of the home for which we are all striving.
Before I go further, if you are not sure where you stand with God, if you are hurting and need help from the only one who can satisfy your soul, if you have never made Him the Lord of your life, I want you to read HowCan I Be Saved? Be sure to let me know if you have made this decision, and let me know how I can pray for you.
Now, let’s get on to the nitty gritty! If we want to nurture homes devoted to Christ, we need to focus on three basic areas: Bible reading, prayer, and being involved with a community of believers. I will include some basic ideas to make Bible reading, in particular, more meaningful and exciting for your family.
“And how will you know His will, Beloved? By listening to – knowing – His Word! God speaks in His Word, and we are to listen; we speak in prayer and God listens. Awesome! Doesn’t this truth make you want to give yourself to prayer and to the Word?” -Kay Arthur, Lord, Teach Me to Pray in 28 Days
1. Consider the ages of your children or household. My children are all grown now, but we used to have a blast when they were younger! The younger they are, the easier it is to establish a habit with them. Be consistent and make family devotions a time to look forward to every day, regardless of age. Then, when they are older and distracted by other things, they will likely be more cooperative. Be sure to make family devotion time age appropriate. Make it fun and simple for the younger ones, cool for the older ones, and deep for the mature members. Focus on the Family has some great ideas for choosing devotion books, or you can simply read from a children’s Bible. My husband and I enjoy sharing with the other what we read in our personal quiet time. That is how we have our family devotions.
2. Be silly! Face it, youngin’s just love to be silly! Silliness is the key to grabbing their attention, but you have to be careful that you are able to bring them back down. Keep in mind, too much silliness to appease the three year old might be annoying to the twelve year old. The idea is that learning the Bible can be fun and memorable!
3. Allow older siblings to lead devotions periodically. When you make it their responsibility to prepare something for their brothers or sisters, or for you, they will absorb the information more thoroughly, and they will take ownership. Let them choose the topic or book they are interested in studying from time to time as well.
4. Variety is the spice of family devotions! Don’t do it the same way every time, or they will become bored. Keep them guessing!
5. Try acting out Bible stories. Use crazy voices, props, stuffed animals, or anything creative you can dream up. You might even build a set or wear costumes. When we read the story of Elisha, my kids loved yelling “Get out of here, Baldy!” and then acting like a bear. Is that in the Bible? It sure is! 2Kings 2:23-24. Then, once they had fun with it, they learned how important it is to respect God’s anointed.
6. Make it brief. I am so passionate about reading the Bible that I tend to be a bit long winded. Have you noticed? However, you will lose them quickly. Keep it brief and to the point. Focus on one major concept rather than trying to bombard them with so much that they retain nothing.
7. Make it relevant. Be sure that whatever you read to them from the Bible, you also have a discussion about how they can apply the principle to their lives personally. For example, a study of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego can translate into a practical story of having the courage to do the right thing in school. Use modern day examples to which they can relate.
8. Sing! Dance too! For kids, there is so much out there with Scripture songs to help them hide God’s Word in their hearts in a fun way and exciting praise music. Let them see that Christian music can be fun! For adults, play worship music and whatever style of Christian music you enjoy often.
9. Be consistent. Once it becomes a habit, you will be able to keep it up more easily.
10.Make it a part of real life. Talk about the things of God and what you have learned in Scripture as you experience real life together. They will see that the Bible really does relate to their daily lives.
11.Devotional time is not just for kids. Make it a habit to talk about the things of God and pray together with your spouse on a daily basis. Make it brief at first until you get used to it so you won’t become overwhelmed or bored. If one spouse is more Biblically literate than the other, be careful to not make the other feel inferior spiritually. You are in this thing together! Build each other up in the Lord.
For more ideas on making family devotional time more fun and relevant for your family, check out Focus on the Family. This particular article is for engaging very small children, and then there are links for involving older children, teens, and marriage. Another great article is “How the Make the Bible Irresistible to Your Children.” From Children’s Ministry Magazine.
I hope you have fun with these simple ideas!
Dear Father, I pray for each one reading this today and ask that you bless their homes and families. Help us to yield our hearts and our homes to you and submit to Your will in all things. When we asked You to be the Lord of our lives, that meant that we are putting You first in all things. I pray that everyone reading this will notice a profound shifting in their homes toward greater peace and joy and that all of the fruit that the Holy Spirit provides will abound richly in their lives and homes. In all things, let love reign supreme! Pour out your immense and richest blessings on each one here. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Week One Challenge: Read Galatians 5:22-23 and prayerfully reflect on ways you see the Fruit of the Spirit thriving in your home and areas in which God would lead your family to grow. Write in a journal throughout the week ideas that the Holy Spirit puts on your heart. Pray for each member of your family.
Today’s Challenge: Read the Bible with your family and pray together.
Join me tomorrow for “The Spirit of Hospitality” and some new recipes to try over the weekend!
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Thank you and God bless!
Shari Lewis
