With this new year we have started a new routine at bedtime. Joe has always spent time with the kids before bed telling Bible stories and asking them questions about the Bible. They would learn passages together and just spend time with each other while meditating on the Word. I have wanted to be more involved in this part of my children’s day for awhile but it would always seem that I was either busy with Katherine or, as many of you can relate to, just needed some “me” time and this was the only time I could get it. So the answer to this situation came to me one day during my prayer time. I was asking God to open the door in our schedule and to make it a priority for both Joe and I that we have a strict bedtime for the children while making time for family worship. Well, the Sunday before Joe went back to work and we started back to school we talked and came up with this new plan. And we are loving it!!!!
The elements of our family worship –
- Song – yes, we sing! And we love it. The children pick most of the songs, but Joe and I use this time to teach them some new songs as well. They will dance and sing and just enjoy praising God in their own way.
- Thanks – We will often take turns speaking of what we are thankful for that day. The children are learning the practice of noticing the little things in life that we are blessed with. I hope this is a lesson that they carry with them for the rest of their lives. Living a life full of thanksgiving to a Saviour who gave it all for us!
- Bible Reading – We are reading through the book of Ruth right now. Joe leads in this time and not only reads to the family but also pulls out applicable lessons for all of us. He teaches about life in Bible times, God’s faithfulness to provide and care for His people, and Ruth’s willingness to serve.
- Bible Memory – Right now we are learning Psalm 23 as a family. The children are doing exeptionally well I feel. They have the Lord’s Prayer memorized but this is a bit longer. It will take some time but they are slowly getting it.
- Prayer – I LOVE hearing my children pray. I love hearing their prayers grow and mature as their walk with their Saviour grows and deepens. It is one way that I can see their heart. When we slow down and take the time to pray I can see that they pray about what is important to them. They pray for those that they love and for the things that are bothering them. It is a beautiful way to see the heart of my children.
After this time (about 45 min) we tell the children good night and send them off to bed with smiles on their faces. They can fall asleep meditating on the Words and the love that we have just shared. So, for those you who were wondering this is what our family worship time looks like. As with anything, in a house with four young children, things don’t always run smoothly and this time of worship is also a time of training the really young ones to sit still and quiet and respect the Word. So, we have to be flexible and teach the lessons that present themselves we try to maintain a level of worship during this time.
Welcome to all of you stopping by from the Fresh Year, Fresh Start link up. I hope you enjoy what you see and decide to stay awhile. I enjoy meeting and getting to know new people.
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