Christ at Home: Addressing the Need for Family Devotions

Abstract

This paper addresses the lack of devotional activity among today’s Christian families and seeks to give pastors and parents the motivation and direction needed to implement home devotions in the family. After considering influences at work to lead family members away from the faith, this paper demonstrates God’s plan throughout Scripture that parents, not organizations, must address this issue by taking responsibility for the spiritual training of their children. Scripture records sad examples of the consequences that result when parents fail in this capacity. Factors influencing religious transmission from parent to child indicate that parents who engage in religious training and discussion at home are more likely to pass their faith on to their children than parents who do not. Other blessings to be anticipated by families who implement home devotions are also highlighted. Obstacles that may prevent families from beginning a devotional routine are addressed and answered, and practical guidelines and suggestions are given to help the family get started. In the appendices, age-specific ideas for spiritual training are given, devotionals are reviewed and recommended to help families select appropriate materials, and a sample of a weekly devotional series based off of the lectionary is offered.