Sacred Family Rhythms
How, in the midst of our busy lives, do we make time to shepherd our children in the faith, teaching them to love the Lord?
Here are a few suggestions to help create family rhythms that help us cultivate sacred routines in the lives of our children.
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We recommend the Fighter Verses resources, available at fighterverses.com.
Keep verses in the car, at the kitchen table, or somewhere you regularly gather.
Work on one verse at a time.
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Can be done at meal times, bedtime, at wakeup, as part of homeschool, etc. - whenever works best for your family.
Set the mood - use candlelight, go to a specific space in your house, etc.
Pray frequently
Consider closing by singing a hymn or the doxology.
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Ask your children:
what is something they are thankful from their day;
is there something they need to ask forgiveness for from God;
and is there someone they need to pray for?
Let them pray accordingly.
Now, it’s your turn to pray.
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If your child is not yet saved, explain why they are unable to receive Communion at this time, and the importance of submitting to the Father. If your child is saved, remind them of the following, as you take Communion together:
God is holy and can have nothing to do with sin, and therefore, because of our sin, we deserve His wrath.
God, in His great mercy, provided Jesus, the perfect lamb, to take the punishment for our sin, His wrath, for us, so that we may receive His righteousness and be right with God.
His mercy is nothing we can earn, but only receive in humility and grace.
Thank God for His great love through Jesus.
We must "confess with [our] mouth[s] that Jesus is Lord and believe in [our] heart[s] that God raised him from the dead." (Romans 10:9)
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Set a technology curfew.
Regularly share highs and lows from the day at dinner or bedtime.
Create a safe home environment emotionally and mentally, in addition to physically:
"A gentle answer turns away wrath." (Proverbs 15:1)
Talk through discipline to help your children understand why it is necessary.
Show vulnerability and walk in repentance to your children, while encouraging them to do the same.
Preach the Gospel to yourself out loud in the presence of your children, daily.
Pray out loud around your children. Children learn by modeling behavior.
Live generously, and include your children in the process.
When kids share a serious situation, encourage open conversation by not reacting instinctively. Your reaction will either inhibit or encourage their communication.