ask questions. The children will enjoy this and you can determine if you are communicating properly with them. When they are older, let them read. Then, too, there are some fine missionary stories you can profitably use. This will teach them modern-day exploits for God. Do not overlook helpful papers given to your children at Sunday school. When the children are old enough get each one of them a Bible. This is an excellent way for children to develop their reading. There are some helpful transla tions you may want to check into which will help them in further development and interest. Our children especially enjoyed Phil lip's Letters to Young Churches. We didn't have a lot of form in our devotions but sought to make it a joyful evening together. When it came time for prayer we would again vary the form. Sometimes have each pray as you go around; at other times, just the children, or just the parents. It should be an informal time of fellowship. Then, once in a while, when the children are old enough, let each child have charge of the devotions for the evening. You will be surprised how they rise to the occasion. In all of this, the important thing is to begin a wholesome and joyful manner. If you fail, do not quit, but come back again. Do not give up in despair. Do not miss the blessing of getting together in the fellowship of the family altar. The Lord will fill each life with grace and glory as you do it joyfully unto Him. " . . . they need, love, encouragement, appreciation, acceptance, approval and security."
your husband in a bad light before the children. Before the little ones go to bed is a good time to read Bible stories to them, teaching them to pray. Let them lead out, too. Ideally, the family altar is a time when every member gathers to gether around the Word of God. There is rejoicing in reading the Scriptures, praying together, giv ing thanks to the Lord for all His blessings, and asking Him for guid ance and wisdom that each may grow in Christian grace and ma turity. When our five children were born, we prayed over their crib from the moment they came home from the hospital. We prayed as if the child were doing it, and by and by he would come to understand this. In addition, there should be prayer at the table before every meal. This is not to be a ritual, or something perfunctory, but that which is meaningful. Let the chil dren have a part in this, too. The family altar should be a joy ful experience. It is not a time when you pressure your children into knowledge about the things of God. This will never make it wholesome and practical. While you should strive for con sistency as far as having devo tions, it should not be unnaturally forced. Some days may not lend themselves due to peculiar sched ules. Then, too, if time has been a problem, vary the length, as well as the period of the day. These are days of great pressure, but let us not be rushed as we come into the presence of the Lord. There are some wonderful Bible story books on the market. Have one to use. Following the reading,
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