Hi everyone, and welcome to my blog! Today, I want to share how I have been teaching my children about having a relationship with the Lord, maintaining their quiet time, and developing their personal devotion. This is a crucial part of our spiritual discipleship curriculum for our children.
Starting Early: Building Foundations from a Young Age
Building a relationship with the Lord isn’t something that starts at a later age; it’s a journey that begins as early as possible. My daughter is six and my son is five, but their spiritual education began even before they turned one.
From the moment they were born, we’ve instilled in them the importance of having a walk with the Lord. Initially, our input was significant, guiding them in prayers and Bible reading. As they grow older, our role shifts to more of a supportive and guiding one. This foundation must be laid early so that when they are older, it becomes a natural part of their lives rather than something new and challenging.
Establishing a Routine: Creating a System for Quiet Time
One key strategy we’ve employed is establishing a routine. Children thrive on routines, and having a structured approach to their quiet time helps them know what to do. We’ve created a checklist for their morning and night devotions, making it easy for them to follow and understand.
Morning Devotion Checklist:
- Sing at least three worship songs.
- Pray in tongues for at least 10 minutes.
- Read their devotional.
- Journal about what they have learned.
Night Devotion Checklist:
- Sing at least three worship songs.
- Pray in tongues for at least 10 minutes.
- Read their Bible.
- Intercede using their prayer passport, which includes a list of countries to pray for.
- Journal about their Bible reading and what the Lord is telling them.
This checklist is not meant to be permanent. As they grow and their relationship with the Holy Spirit deepens, they will naturally develop their rhythm and routine in their personal devotion time.
Leading by Example: Demonstrating Personal Devotion
Our children need to see us living out our faith. I ensure that my personal devotion time is visible to them. Whether it’s praying, reading my Bible, or journaling, I do it openly so they can see the importance of these practices. I also talk to them about my devotion times, sharing insights and experiences to reinforce that this is a normal and essential part of life.
Quiet Time Box: Organizing Their Devotional Tools
To make their quiet time more engaging and organized, we’ve given them a Quiet Time Box. This box contains their Bible, journal, devotional, pens, colouring pens, and Bible reading plan. Having all their materials in one place makes it easy for them to settle into their devotion time without distractions.
Creating a Special Space: Setting Up a Devotional Corner
While space limitations have kept us from fully implementing this idea, creating a dedicated space for quiet time can be very beneficial. A cosy, inviting corner designated for their devotions can make this time more special and focused. It’s a place they can associate with meeting the Lord, helping them to be consistent and comfortable in their devotional practices.
Conclusion
Teaching children to have a personal relationship with the Lord is an ongoing process that evolves as they grow. By starting early, establishing routines, leading by example, organizing their devotional tools, and creating a special space, we can help them build a strong, personal faith.
I hope these tips have been helpful. If you found this post valuable, please share it with others. Don’t forget to like this post and subscribe to my blog for more insights. Thank you, and God bless!
Blessings,