Jesus Calls Me Friend: Creating Space for Your Children to Encounter Godنموونە

Recently, we started having family devotion time. We don't make it a formality, but we open our Bibles together multiple times throughout the week and take turns reading a few verses. Life is busy, and making the time takes intention. But to know God's voice as a family, we must prioritize time in His Word.

What if you read a few verses to your kids while they eat their afternoon snack? Or talk about a verse as you drive to school in the morning? Lately, my family has been trying to take 15 minutes after dinner to read straight from the Bible.

However you decide to get in Scripture, don't let your children's age stop you from inviting them into Bible study. At dinner last Saturday, my two-year-old niece amazed me by reciting part of Psalm 139!

As a family, we like to read the Bible two verses at a time and then discuss it. If you choose to do it this way, invite your whole family, and after you read, ask:

• What do you think the verses mean?
• What questions about what you read?
• What do you think God is trying to tell you?

Again, you don't need a fancy curriculum, devotional, or Bible study to teach your kids God's Word. Simply open your Bibles together and go slow. Meditate on the verse, ponder it, and ask what it means. You may be amazed at what your kids comprehend and pick up on.

Even young kids can engage with God's Word. Our four-year-old doesn't quite understand everything, but if we miss a night of Bible study, she usually asks, "Wait, aren't we doing Bible study?" Little children can develop a hunger for God's Word, and we should encourage it.

Reflect: What am I doing regularly to invest in my children's faith? Are there any changes I need to implement? If yes, write a doable action step. For example, "I want to read the Bible three times per week with my child before bed, even if it's for 10 minutes."

How would your life change if you set aside time to read your Bible with your family every week?