In response to my post about Recommended Devotionals, Kristen asked my opinion about how to have family worship times with our kids. Here are my thoughts:

The first thing my wife and I wanted to do with our kids was model worship. Kids learn by watching and listening. This is easy for Kate and I because we love to worship. We have worship music playing in our home and in our cars and the kids watch and listen as we worship throughout the day. Additionally, we have made it a point to include our kids at certain times in corporate worship at church. These times have been powerful for them. We don’t do it all the time because we are convinced that their Sunday School classrooms are the place they will best be served week in and week out. But on occasion, we like them to see mommy and daddy worship corporately with the body of Christ. We have seen the fruit of these two simple things. Our kids love worship music and they love to worship that way. 

But what about scheduled worship time with just the family? Well, with the way our family’s lives work it has been a thing that is more organic and spontaneous. But what we have been consistent and purposeful about with the is Bible reading and prayer… which of course is worship as well. Our children have come to really know and love Scripture. They also love to pray. In fact, at dinner time they often both demand to be the ones to say the blessing. At bed time I always lay my hands on them and pray worshipful prayers and blessings over them. This has really had an effect on my 7 year old, Isaiah. When he senses the need he will place his hand on Kate and/or me and pray a worshipful, blessing over us. There is no greater moment in the life of a father!! (See: 3 John 4)

Finally, we are very purposeful in talking with them about the blessings in our lives. We let them know that these things are from God (James 1:17) and we teach them to have thankful hearts and attitudes of gratitudes. This is important, as it is God’s will for us! (See I Thessalonians 5:18) A thankful heart is one that worships! (See Hebrews 13:15) When they are not being thankful (and we all struggle with that in our selfishness and self-absorption) we discipline them. In my own life I have had the Lord teach me about the importance of gratitude that responds in worship and praise. I have also been disciplined by the Lord when my perspective was skewed and I was given to grumbling and complaining instead of thankfulness. (See Hebrews 12:6 and 11 and Philippians 2:14) So, I try to teach my children what the Lord has taught me.

I hope that helps you Kristen (and others). Again modeling is important. We have endeavored to allow the Spirit to develop these things organically in our family as opposed to trying to be overbearing and forceful, which never works in spiritual matters.

Blessings!

britt

In looking at the Reality Ministry Conference Book List, Lisah asked if there were any devotionals I recommend. There are.

The first one that I would recommend is profound. It seems that God uses this devotional in the lives of thousands of believers everyday. When I say “God uses it”, I mean in a really powerful, prophetic way. In reading it myself over the years and talking with so many others that have, I just cannot think of another book (other than the Bible) that God seems to use regularly to speak into our daily situations. I mean it really amazes me. Over and over and over again. It’s uncanny! (Which means strange or mysterious)

That book is My Utmost For HIs Highest by Oswald Chambers.

The readings are short and simple and very potent. Chambers is also funny. He is very dogmatic. What I mean is this; he consistently uses the words “always” and “never”. As in, “God always…” or, “God never…”. He just makes these huge statements about the way things are with God and how He works. He does it so often that a really good friend of mine and I have a running joke about it. We will be reading My Utmost on our own in the morning and there will be another one of those “always” or “never” statements and we will text each other and laugh about it. But the thing is, Chambers is usually correct. He has been gifted with an amazing understanding of the pragmatic and yet supernatural work of God in our daily lives. Get this book. It is worth it.

Another one that I love is Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon. What can I say except Spurgeon is one of the most insightful and gifted lovers of God and communicators of God’s truth the world has ever known. I read everything I can by Charles Spurgeon. You cannot go wrong here. And, as the title suggests, he will bring you to the banqueting table of God’s truth in the morning and in the evening.

The last one I will suggest is by A. W. Tozer and is called Tozer on Christiam Leadership. If I had to choose the author from the 20th century that has affected me most it is Tozer! This book is a must read for anyone in ministry and or leadership. I often read it with my staff at Reality and we never cease to be challenged and blessed by the wisdom God graciously imparts to us through Tozer.

I help that helps you Lisah (and others).

Blessings!

britt