Daily Devotions for little hearts

Most mornings, Monday through Saturday, the girls and I set aside some time to learn about God, sing & dance to praise songs, and to pray for our day and for our friends & family.

If you've been thinking about doing something similar but don't know where to start, here's an overview of what's working for our family now. I hope it will encourage you to find what works in your home!

First, I read a lesson from whichever devotional book we happen to be reading, or a passage from Scripture. Right now, the older girls & I are reading through Leading Little Ones to God 2-3 times a week (I HIGHLY recommend this for children, probably up through age 10. It presents basic doctrine in a way that is understandable and engaging. My daughters look forward to these lessons!

Hannah listens in on the lesson and whatever the morning's Bible reading is, as well, and then I read a page from her book. Right now, we're reading 101 Favorite Stories from the Bible - excellent for toddlers & preschoolers. The stories are short (less than a page), well-illustrated, include a couple of easy comprehension questions for each story, and most importantly they are scripturally accurate. The big girls enjoy going back through this book (we read it together in 2009) and it's been a great refresher for them.

With the Bible reading, I read directly from my Bible - a passage that goes along with the big girls' lesson. I read from the New King James Version or the King James Version and then I explain any of the unfamiliar words or expressions so the girls understand what's being said.

After our readings, we go over our memory verse of the week (if we have one - most weeks we do). We read the verse together out loud once or twice, then I ask if anyone would like to try it by herself). Then I ask each of the girls in turn to list a song or two that they'd like to sing. Anything that honors Jesus is fair game.

In our home, we feel that sharing different genres of music with our daughters is not only okay, but important, so they know that there are many different ways to praise God in song. Personally, I prefer more acoustic-style artists (Shane & Shane, Phil Wickham, Bethany Dillon...), but Will enjoys the Christian rap and techno artists (Trip Lee, Andy Hunter, etc).

Elizabeth's favorite: Robot {Trip Lee}

Abby's favorite: Forgiven {Sanctus Real}

Hannah's favorite: Captured {The Digital Age}

We share traditional hymns, classical music, acoustic, hip-hop, rock, etc with the girls. As long as the message is clearly meant to lift up Jesus, it works. However, we understand and appreciate that some families have come to a different conclusion about music - so while I still think music is an important part of worship (the Psalms make it clear that we are to praise the Lord with instruments and song!) - your own conviction about the styles of music should help you choose the music that works best in your home.

Here is the playlist that we tend to draw from most mornings:
Your Great Name (Natalie Grant)
Though You Slay Me (Shane & Shane)
To Live Is Christ (Trip Lee)
Easter Song (Keith Green)
songs from Sing the Word: A New Commandment CD (the Harrow Family)
The Shout of El-Shaddai (Paul Wilbur)
Names of God (Laurell Hubick)
All the Poor and Powerless (The Digital Age)
A Mighty Fortress is Our God (the Chris Rice version)
All Creatures of Our God & King (the Passion version)
Manifesto (The City Harmonic)

The Revelation Song (Jesus Culture)

Strong Tower (Kutless)

Once we take some time to sing and dance, we pray. I have no requirements for prayer time except that the girls have an attitude of reverence. Their posture and what they say is not nearly as important to me as their hearts being focused on speaking with and listening to the Lord. I have a kneeler, a dancer, and a fidget-er. Their prayers range from "thank You, Jesus for this day!" to in-depth prayers for their friends and for people they know.

I've found that the best way to teach prayer is to let them hear me pray, and then give them the chance to pray out loud, too. Often. When we are having a crummy morning (it happens!), I pray and then invite them to as well. When I see a prayer request pop up on FB or a call comes in, we stop and each take turns praying. Before we do Elizabeth's cecostomy flush each morning, she hears me pray over her. The more often they hear Will & I and others pray, the more they see that it's vital; the more they pray, the more likely they are to develop the reflex of prayer first in all situations!

We do recite the Lord's prayer (KJV) at least 2-3 times a week. Not because reciting it gains any extra favor with the Lord, but because it is a precious reminder of the mindset we should have when we approach the throne of grace! That the Lord is holy, and to pray for His will, and to ask for His provision, pardon, & protection, and that we confess that He is the Almighty!

All in all, we spend about 30 minutes to 1 hour each morning with our "Bible Time". It's a sweet time for all of us. And honestly, some mornings it doesn't happen that way. It's had to wait until lunch time before, or just before bed. But I try to work it into our mornings, even if other parts of our morning have to be ditched. My desire is that they will, over the next few years, begin to have their own quiet time each morning with the Lord as well as our devotion time. In order to do that, I need to take these precious days to model what it looks like. Even in the seasons when I'm struggling with my own walk.

Do you have a daily devotion time with your children? When? What books and other resources do you use? (And do you have a recommendation for young girls who are 8ish? When E turns 8, I'd like to put aside some time each day to begin a Bible study just with her, and I'd love any suggestions!)

Learning about the Lord with my littles,

for His glory!

~Lisha

I may be sharing this post at these amazing link-up parties!

If this post has inspired, blessed, or encouraged you, please comment, pin it, or share!