ou It want to read this article b y a leading Christian psycho log ist
deed an unfortunate commentary on our Christian homes! Songs One of the most refreshing parts of family devotions can be singing. During the busy day we may possibly forget some of the Bible reading, but we are not likely to forget the songs. Great scriptural truths are taught through hymns. Appropriate choruses may also prove desirable. Songs help to prepare families for devotions. They can also provide a fitting close for a time of prayer. Memory Verses Another vital part of devotions is the memorization of Bible verses. Carefully selected Scripture portions can be learned during this time. In a relatively short period these verses number in the hundreds. Each mem ber of the family can suggest portions which they all might like to mem orize. It is not a difficult task to learn these passages when the entire family reads them aloud several times and then discusses their meanings. At the end of each week verses which were recently learned may be re viewed. These Bible verses can be a source of great comfort, guidance and strength through the day. “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psa. 119:11). Prayer One of the sweetest parts of family devotions is prayer time. Opportunity should be afforded several people to offer prayer. It is suggested that fam ilies prepare a prayer list which may be referred to each day. These in dividual requests should be marked off as God answers them. This will not only establish a consistent plan of prayer, but it will help bring to mind people and situations for which prayer should be made, but which might be overlooked if not written on a request list. However, one of the greatest ad vantages of a prayer list which is kept up to date is the positive proof which it offers to every member of the family concerning God’s faithful ness in answering prayer. At the end of any given period the family can
look back and count all of the prayers which God has answered. In retro spect one can also see how God an swered some prayers in wonderful ways that did not seem to be an swers at the time they were consid ered for prayer. After such experi ences in family prayer, just try to tell a teen-ager that God does not an swer! He knows God does because he has written down and crossed off prayer requests for years! Appropriate Materials In addition to the Bible, a number of excellent supplementary materials are available for family devotions. There are excellent Bible story books for young children which adults will also enjoy. Simple Studies for Family Devotions, by Keith L. Brooks, is splendid. In fact, it was developed so that young children could under stand and enjoy God’s Word in family devotions. Ken Taylor’s books for chil dren are excellent for this purpose. They are very interesting, and they contain the basic doctrines of the Bible. There are many other publica tions which are also available at local Christian bookstores. Guests and Visitors Another stimulating feature of fam ily devotions can be that of occasion ally inviting one’s neighbors and oth er friends to join in them. Such prac tices prove to be great blessings to the family, as well as to the ones who are invited. There are many people who never have devotions in their homes, and they are happy when they are invited to share this family time. In fact, this is one of the very best ways to interest an unsaved person in the things of Christ. Many people have been marvelously won to the Lord through an invitation to join the family altar. Spiritually Broken Homes A problem is sometimes posed when only one parent is saved, and inter ested in spiritual things. Some Chris tians in this position have given up trying to have family devotions. This may seem the easiest way out, but it is not a wise choice. Parents who love the Lord are responsible for
teaching their children about Christ, even though one marriage partner is uninterested. Naturally such arrange ments must be in the spirit of love, and not calculated to provoke the non-participating parent. If one is earnest in his desire to have devotions with his family, and prays fervently, God will make a way for him to do so. If all attempts have seemed to fail, one may seek counsel from his minister or from a Christian friend. Not Automatically Maintained Like all other projects, family de votions are not automatically main tained. Families are expected to eval uate their devotions occasionally to see how they might be improved, and what changes should be made. This is only natural. Parents who talk with each other and with their chil dren about their devotional periods will keep their devotions dynamic and meaningful. Unless careful plan ning and emphasis is given to daily devotions they may become routine and uninteresting. Satan may tempt us to shorten them or to abandon them entirely. This is because they are his worst enemies. The family which is closely knit in prayer and devotion each day presents an impos ing bulwark against worldliness. These are times of unprecedented evil and confusion. Our courts are overcrowded with juvenile criminals and delinquents. Our mental institu tions are unable to accept for ad mission thousands who cannot main tain a dynamic balance amid the stresses and strains of life. Christian families cannot afford to neglect sys tematic devotions in their homes. These d ev o tion s are the primary source from which our children learn to pray and understand God’s Word. They form a bond of fellowship about the family circle that is even sweeter than its human ties. Family devotions fortify us against the temptations and emergencies of life. To the Christian family there is nothing that pays greater dividends. There is no. greater challenge! END. The Christian Family's Greatest Challenge
J A N U A R Y , 1 9 5 5
13
Made with FlippingBook HTML5