Helping Kids Create Daily Devotional Habits

July 13, 2024

Verse: Deuteronomy 6:7: “Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”

Creating new habits is tough! Just ask anyone who’s tried a new diet or exercise routine for longer than a week! One of the habits that Christian parents want to instill in children is personal devotions. While having time for family devotions is one excellent habit for the family unit, kids also need to create a habit of personal devotions. Here are some considerations to help your child make this habit their own:

Model: Does your child know that you do your own devotions? Do you share what you are learning, thinking, and praying about? Share with them why your personal devotion time is different than and as crucial as family devotion time.

Teach: Teach your child how to read the Bible.

1. Explain the setup of the Bible, the table of contents, how it’s divided into Old and New Testaments, the books of the Bible, and even help memorize the books in order (a song can help! An internet search will give you some options).

2. When your child is young, read with them during their personal devotion time. Kids love to hear stories! Keep this time brief, as long as their attention allows. Include a time of prayer together.

3. As they grow older, begin their devotional time with them and leave them to finish independently. Check in afterward and ask them to share what they have learned or read about. As their stamina and focus increase, decrease your support until they are fully independent.

Provide: Provide your child with the materials to help them succeed.

1. Does your child have a Bible of their own? Is it age-appropriate and one that has words that are at their reading level?

2. Would your child be more interested in a Bible in graphic novel form (using sequential art like a comic)?

3. Would your child also enjoy a devotional that helps illustrate more of the Bible’s teachings? These materials could be a special birthday or Christmas gift tradition each year. Your local Christian bookstore can give recommendations for your child’s age, interest, and reading ability.

4. Your child may also enjoy the Bible stories and devotions found at Kids Corner.

Check your expectations: While our biggest hope is that our children will develop a personal relationship with God that includes devout daily devotions, keep your support helpful and encouraging. Be careful not to create big demands or goals that are too lofty. Follow your child’s lead. Start again with a positive, no-shame attitude if the habit gets forgotten.

Pray: Pray for your child during their devotion time. While you can help create the habit, the Holy Spirit will light the fire.

Devotions are about growing in knowledge, wisdom, and relationship with God. Encourage your child’s habit by providing support along the way, and pray that God will bless this effort, too.

Want to do a deep dive? Check out Family Fire's article Making Scripture the Parenting Authority in Your Home