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Devotions For Children
About family devotions...
A lot of it depends on how much time and effort you want to put into it. For what it's worth, our top favorites for this age group [early elementary school] are:
1. The Bible. We've read from Genesis to Esther with children the same ages as yours--and much younger--skipping only some large portions of the law, a few minor passages, and the redundancies in Kings and Chronicles. The key here is to communicate your love for God's Word to your children. We read a chapter or two (and sometimes more) a day, often leaving them asking for more. (We use mostly the NIV translation because it seems easier for our children to understand, but I've known little ones who had no trouble with the KJV. It depends on your preference.)
2. Egermeier's Bible Storybook. This met my father's criteria--and ours--for accuracy, good narration, and reverence. I grew up on this one, so it will always be a favorite.
3. Leading Little Ones to God by Marion Schoolland. This is sort of like a systematic theology for children. Our children loved it and it answered a lot of their questions about God, about the meaning of life, etc. We find ourselves returning to this again and again.
4. Tell Me About God (Simple studies in the doctrine of God for children) by Susan Harding. This one tells something about God based on each letter of the alphabet: God is Almighty, God is Blessed, God is the Creator, etc. Gives a Scripture passage to read, a verse to memorize (if you want), a catechism question, and a short devotional.
5. Suffer Little Children by Gertrude Hoeksema. This is really a heavy-duty Bible curriculum used in some Christian schools and by homeschoolers. It's quite serious and is a chronological study through the Bible. (To non-KJV users, "Suffer little children" has nothing to do with pain and suffering! <g> )
6. The Westminster Shorter Catechism in Modern English
7. The Catechism for Young Children. (Vic Lockman has illustrated this with cartoons, which some children like but ours kind of ignored.) By the way, lest a catechism sound dull and boring, let me assure you that our children love the question and answer format. It all depands on how you present it. Our toddler referred to this as "holy happy" because "He created them holy and happy" was the answer to one of the questions--the first answer he learned how to say with his limited vocabulary.
The last three reflect our particular theological "bent", which is decidedly from a Reformation perspective.
BTW, I've really enjoyed reading the answers other parents have offered. How encouraging to see parents taking the spiritual instruction of their children seriously!
UPDATE: I'm not sure if I can still give Egermeier's such a ringing endorsement. I would urge parents to be discerning with any Bible Storybook and to check for accuracy as well as for the theological bent of the author.
I would add to my list the Heidelberg Confession. Even if our children never memorize anything past the first two questions, they will have been blessed immensely.
copyright 1994 , 1997 by Rebecca Prewett
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