In a Christian family, God’s Word is the foundation of all other study, so our biblical worldview impacts all learning in subtle ways. But there are also times we want that impact to be more deliberate. How can a busy family incorporate Bible study, everyday-life application of Biblical principles, and prayer in their day?
Each family has its own rhythm. Some fathers’ work schedules allow them to open the day in prayer or Bible reading with their families. Or dad may encourage mom to begin with a godly focus later in the morning, and he may lead family worship or study at another time. In our household, dad had weekly, interactive, devotional lessons springboarding from the Heritage Builders Family Tool Chestseries, while mom did (very) brief daily morning devotions and then included Bible lessons in the school curriculum.
Dad’s interactive devotional about Passover (not his usual attire)
No time to prepare, or fresh out of ideas? A speaker I once heard shared that when time was short, he’d do a “one-inch Bible study” in which he’d select one inch-long section of scripture at random and the family would discuss it. In a similar vein, Kim at NotConsumed.com has some fun, interactive resources such as her Bible Talk: 365 Family Bible Discussion Questions for a quick flip-and-chat discussion with a Bible verse to refer to. (See more ideas at the end of this article.)
The Habit of Starting the Day Together, with God
Our first daily “together” activity was a very brief devotional time to kick off our day. To begin each school day, I would put on some music that would help us focus on the Lord, and the children would either sing along or listen quietly (and hopefully reverently!). Then we would have a brief devotional lesson — usually an open-and-read resource, nothing to lesson plan — followed by a short time of prayer. This fifteen-minute gathering gave us a focused, prayerful, deliberate start to our day and I hope showed our children that we valued connection with God and with each other, and beginning our day with joy. (It didn’t mean we didn’t “crash and burn” half an hour later, but we started on the right foot!)
We homeschooled, so we had lots of opportunities to re-visit this throughout our day, but you could certainly incorporate this regardless of your family’s daily routine. Justin Earley shares some of his family’s habits for starting the day in his very practical book, Habits of the Household, great for dads and moms alike, with real-life examples from their everyday life with a growing family.
Ideas for Devotions
Regardless of time of day or length of gathering, your time can be as simple as reading a Bible passage and praying together. Some parents find it helpful to use a book such as Little Visits with God, which gives a short faith- and character-based story, a Bible verse to look up (this part is important–we didn’t want to use a story instead of a Bible verse), a “moral of the story,” and a sample prayer. When the older girls were elementary age, we used guides such as Bible Study for All Ages or Greenleaf Guide to Old Testament History for age-integrated chronological studies of scripture, while resources such as Character Building for Familieshelped us focus on specific spiritual issues within our family, with a focus on what the Bible has to say about areas we were currently focusing on in our character growth. Our children learned some practical applications of prayer along with the fictional Ryan as we read the chapter book, Adventure at Hidden Haven Ranch. By upper elementary or early middle school, they were ready for basic, individual, inductive Bible studies using scripture as the basis.
Church-based programs such as AWANA, Missionettes, or Royal Rangers include substantial Bible memorization and catechism as well as hands-on application in service projects. Clubs such as Keepers of the Faith, Contenders for the Faith, American Heritage Girls, and Trail Life incorporate a biblical worldview into everyday service.
During quiet times, play times, or in the car, the Bible or a children’s Bible storybook on CD or streaming can be used to help children hide God’s Word in their hearts. (By the way: Even the most well-meaning children have trouble sitting still sometimes; a coloring page or a squeeze ball or even building blocks can help them focus their energy quietly and still absorb the lesson. Adapt to their learning styles as needed!)
Even a toddler can “pray” for a sibling.
“But my day is SO busy”
For some of you, incorporating these ideas can feel overwhelming. On the days it felt like I could barely fit even a brief moment of quiet time or prayer into our day, I could be intentional to thank God aloud with my kiddos for warm beds as we changed the sheets or for healthy food as we cleaned up the kitchen or washed the dishes. (You get the idea.)
I hope you will be encouraged and inspired by the insights shared by another time-challenged homeschool mom:
Practical Prayer by Tricia Hodges (used with permission)
The community helpers puzzle. Its pieces dumped in the floor, again. I find myself frustrated, again.
Frustrated to pick up the pieces and frustrated we were all sick. Frustrated we couldn’t get out and help the victims of recent flooding.
But the Lord calmly gave me an answer, in His patient way. As I was picking up each puzzle piece, He said, “Pray.”
The ambulance piece—pray for ambulance workers. The police car—pray for our police force rescuing flood victims. The tow truck—wow. I hadn’t even thought about all those cars needing to be towed away. And look, the school bus.
As a young mother, I thought I was supposed to get off in my little corner and have my quiet time. More and more that became a hard thing to do. I didn’t quite understand how I was supposed to pray without ceasing.
I imagined myself, face down, in the middle of the floor trying to pray and acting oblivious to children running all around me, hollering, “Mama!” “Mama!” Me, answering, “Quiet now children; I’m praying.”
The Lord has gently taught me that prayer should be the foundation of our day. Not a separate practice, always apart from the children. Though there certainly is a time for formal prayer, the praying habit is to be passed on. It’s a way of life.
I once heard prayer compared to breathing. Breathe out… send a prayer up… Breathe in…soak up His wisdom, give thanks. It’s a conversation. It’s easy. Something you don’t even have to put effort into.
Pray without ceasing (I Thessalonians 5:17).
Guess what? I’ve found freedom in praying out loud while driving my homeschool bus to activities. “Lord, help us to be safe. Help children to obey. Help us to be polite and have a good time.”
Yes, I enjoy quiet time before the children wake. But the children should also catch me with my Bible when they come down the steps, all sleepy-eyed, in the morning. “Here, child, bring that warm blanket and snuggle with me. Let’s have some quiet time with Jesus.”
Other practical prayers as you go about your day:
When you hear a siren, stop and pray with the children. Pray not only for those that might be hurting but also for those that are responding to the emergency. Pray for healing. Siren prayers usually prompt us to pray for others we know with urgent needs.
When that airplane flies overhead, pray: “God, please bless the people in the airplane.” My mother taught us this simple prayer. The youngest girl thought an airplane’s name was “bless” for the longest time.
Can’t find something? Pray. The simple act of stopping and praying for wisdom helps calm everybody down. “Mama, shouldn’t we pray?” the seven-year-old reminds. We do. And then I find my keys.
Simple, anytime prayers:
“Help!”
“Please give me wisdom!”
“Allow me to show love”
And finally, I pause at my kitchen sink often to reread the quote I printed out from Everyday Homemaking:
“You can’t change what you have or haven’t done over the past year. Just start where you are, ask the Lord to make you a “joyful mother of children,” pray for grace and wisdom (and strength and patience), and move forward.”
Just pray. All day. “
Prayer calendar available as a free download; see Free Download tab at top of page (under SHOP)
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More Bible curriculum and character training resources:
(Some of these resources are affiliate links; while your price stays the same, I may receive a small percentage to keep bringing you great content! Thanks for your support.)
Character Building for Families (Volumes I and II) by Lee Ann Rubsam—Age-integrated, interactive, scriptural studies of character qualities/spiritual fruit
Coloring books from Walk thru the Bible Ministries—Multi-sensory approach to teaching the major themes of all 66 books of the Bible--both Old and New Testaments
Contagious! Equips parents to share God’s Word at home (free video series from Walk thru the Bible)
Discover 4 Yourself series—Inductive Bible studies for elementary through junior high; from Precept Ministries
Doorposts—Bible study and character training/devotional materials for all ages, including Polished Cornerstones (for girls) and Plants Grown Up (for boys)
Fun Projects for Hands-On Character Building by Marilyn Boyer—Practical ideas to immerse your child in a biblical worldview and character training through his physical environment.
Grapevine studies—Old Testament and New Testament overviews utilizing stick-figure drawing; for kindergarten through high school (child should be able to control a pencil)
Stepping Stones Bible series from Not Consumed (other devotional tools as well)
The Ology – beautifully illustrated introduction to systematic theology for kindergarten through middle school
Training Hearts, Teaching Minds: Family Devotions Based on the Shorter Catechism by Starr Meade—Devotions based on the Westminster Shorter Catechism.
A month of short prayers to pray for your children (and yourself!)—A 31-day calendar/chart of character-focused prayers based on scripture (free download). Great to print out for the refrigerator door.
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