As with everything, as our children grow older, their daily Devotion Time with God will change too. I have found once the children become independent readers it is not long before they want to do their devotions by themselves and I am needed less and less.

 

Our children receive their first real Bible at about this time too with an encouragement to let it(the Bible) be a light to their path.  Our children had Children’s Picture Bibles from very young, but when they were reading we gave them a ‘readers’ version of a proper Bible.  

 

I continued to encourage my children to use the skills that we developed while doing devotions together:  Read / Think / Respond

 

In the beginning of this next stage we would choose a reading plan together; this might be a reading programme to read through the Bible or a book of the Bible or it maybe a devotional book. Later on they come to these decisions by themselves and ask for help if they need it.  Parents need to be available to help guide their children every step of the way – but balance that with stepping away when they are ready to do it on their own.

 

A Little Prompt for their Devotion Time with God

To encourage them in their dwelling on the Bible and prayer life I created a little list to help them focus during their Quiet times with God.

Is there a command to follow?
Does God’s Word tell you to do something?
What are you going to do about that?

Does God promise you something?
Do you believe that promise?

Does God want you to change?
What do you need to talk to God about?
Do you need to live differently?

Is there something you can thank God for?
Something your reading reminded you about
or – something in your life you know is God’s blessing.

 

When you children want to have a daily Quiet time with God, you can guide them and encourage them with these simple prompts.
[Tweet “Teach your Children how to use a devotional journal to help them process their thoughts and prayers”]

Encourage a Devotional Journal

We encourage our children to continue with their Devotional Journal – a place to write their thoughts and responses as they read the Bible. This hasn’t been easy for some – others have thrived on it. While they are getting comfortable with this form of communication (with themselves and with God) we encourage them

  • To write answers to the above questions
  • To do copywork – copy out either a scripture to memorise or a passage that spoke to them or they want to remember
  • To write out a narration – retell the story or the word they read in their own words
  • To write out their prayer, or a list of prayer concerns and answers

My children’s spiritual journals are private property. I never take a peek, and I never ask to.

 

Dig their own wells

In highschool, many years ago, a devotion taken by the School Chaplain impacted me immensely. He told the story of Isaac and how he had to dig his own wells, he couldn’t just refresh the wells his father had dug many years before.

 

This was a very pertinent message to a bunch of highschool kids who were all from Christian homes. We can’t get to heaven (or have a relationship with Jesus) on our parents coat-tails. Each one of us must accept Jesus’ gift and have our own personal relationship with God.

 

This message is right for each generation – each and every one of our children must find God for themselves. Our children will have their own journey, different and separate from our journey. They will have their ups and downs. My prayer for my children though is that they will stand tall on the godly heritage they have and that they will go on from that and be stronger because of it. But it is their choice. They have to guard their hearts, they have to write God’s word on their heart, they have to decide to make Jesus as Lord. It is their choice! I am just the coach.

 

Are they ready to go solo?

There is no virtue in our children having Quiet Times by themselves. God wants their hearts and we must do everything we can to help our children see who God is, and guide them in responding to him. Pushing them to have Personal Devotions by themselves is not going to reach this end. We must be careful not to have expectations on our children.

 

So when are they ready? There is no given answer – what is right for one child will be too early for the next. I found my children asking me, or going ahead without me. That was a sure sign!! I believe that children who are brought up seeing daily personal devotions practiced and taught in the house will understand it is something that they too can practice. When they choose to do so will be determined by their own heart for God.

 

Until they reach this place, they need to be under your wing, reading the word, praying and learning with you.

Do you have any questions about kids having a Quiet Time?

0 Comments

Let me know your thoughts...

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

When you children want to have a daily Quiet time with God, you can guide them and encourage them with these simple prompts.
When you children want to have a daily Quiet time with God, you can guide them and encourage them with these simple prompts.

Hi! I'm Belinda

I am a family life coach and help parents to raise their kids with faith, values and life skills in a way that is intentional, relational and heart focused. Read more on the About page

Do you need help in your Family?

When you children want to have a daily Quiet time with God, you can guide them and encourage them with these simple prompts.

Further Reading:

Growing up in a Christian home I learnt that I had to dig my own wells - that I was responsible for my own relationship with Jesus. You will not grow if you simply depend on others for your spiritual food.
Dig Your Own Wells:  You will not grow if you simply depend on others for your spiritual food. We need to dig our own wells – be responsible for our own relationship with Jesus.

The No.1 Thing Parents can do to help their kids have a devotional time is to have one themselves! The 2nd thing to do is to let them see you have your quiet time. #christianfaith #parenting #intentionalparenting #faith
How You can Help your Child have a Devotional Time:  The No.1 Thing Parents can do to help their kids have a devotional time is to have one themselves! The 2nd thing to do is to let them see you have your quiet time.

We need to expose God's Word, the Bible to our children, if we want them to value it enough to hide it in their heart.
How to Teach Our Children to Hide God’s Word in their Heart:  We need to expose God’s Word, the Bible to our children, if we want them to value it enough to hide it in their heart.

children's devotion resources
How to Choose the Best Resources for your Children’s Devotions:  Choosing the best resources for your children’s devotions is overwhelming. Don’t just copy what other families do – find out what will work in your family and do that. Includes 4 questions to ask before you take someone’s advice.

If this article has been helpful, please share it on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest. I really appreciate your support and encouragement.

When you children want to have a daily Quiet time with God, you can guide them and encourage them with these simple prompts.

When you children want to have a daily Quiet time with God, you can guide them and encourage them with these simple prompts.

When you children want to have a daily Quiet time with God, you can guide them and encourage them with these simple prompts.

The download link is on it's way.

Individual Education Planning Worksheets - brainstorming every area of your child's life.

Get your Planning Worksheets

I will email you the download link so you can start looking at all the different spheres of your child's life before you make any curriculum choices. 

The download link is on it's way.

An Alternative to Chocolate

An Alternative to Chocolate

Not that I have anything against chocolate - but these jelly beans can help your kids share the message of Jesus, his love, death and resurrection at Easter time.  

The download link is on it's way.

Parent Guide: How to make your Family Bible Study Really Work

Family Bible Study is Tricky with all the Different Ages

 

But there is a way to make this a rich learning and bonding family time.  This Guide includes tips, planning worksheet, and discussion prompts.  

Thanks for being here! The download link is on it's way.

Download yourCharacter Certificates

Though true character is driven by internal motivation, our children will appreciate when we see that they are growing in character.

Thanks for being here! The download link is on it's way.

Download your Character Certificates

Though true character is driven by internal motivation, our children will appreciate when we see that they are growing in character.

The download link is on it's way.

Download your Cheat Sheet

 

A quick reference to help you discern between a heart attitude and a lack of skill for when your child loses it!

Thanks for being here! Your download link is on its way.

Make God your First Response

Print out this parenting reminder to call out to God in the middle of the moment.

I'm excited to share this download with you. Watch your inbox.

Download Grow in Character Worksheets

Download Grow in Character Worksheets

I will email you the download link.

The download link is on it's way.

Download Grow in Character Worksheets

You will receive an email shortly with the details. Watch your inbox.

Thank you for being here - your download link will arrive shortly.

Download Parenting Poster

Download Parenting Poster

Learn to respond to your child in a way that changes their heart.

 

I will email you the download link.

The download link is on it's way.

Download Parenting Poster

Download Parenting Poster

 

Learn to respond to your child in a way that changes their heart.

 

I will email you the download link.

Thank you for being here - your download link will arrive shortly.

Our children hear different words when we react to when we respond. Do your children hear blah blah blah when you correct them? Includes a parenting poster.

Download Parenting Poster

 

When we Respond instead of React we find a way to deal with the heart not just behaviour.

 

I will email you the download link.

Thank you for being here - your download link will arrive shortly.

Download Character Lesson Guide

You will receive an email shortly with the details. Watch your inbox.

Thank you for being here - your download link will arrive shortly.

When family relationships get tense - look for the niggles.

Heart Focused Parenting Resource for the Intentional Parent

 

Your download will arrive in your inbox shortly. 

Print it out and use to teach the hearts of your kids.

Thank you for being here - your download link will arrive shortly.

Free Email Course

Daily emails  (6 days) to help you walk towards being a heart focused homeschool family!

You have joined the email course. Watch your email inbox!

Find ways to Re-engage your Student

Download this checklist and stir your child's curiosity

Watch your Inbox - the Checklist is on it's way!

FREE Parenting Worksheet

This worksheet will help you move from addressing behaviour to really parenting the heart, one issue at a time.

 

 

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Personal growth starts with an honest assessment

The download link is on it's way. Please check your email.

Give Effective Consequences

Think before you React

Thanks for being here! The download link is on it's way.

 

Thanks for being here! The download link is on it's way.

One Another Verses

Be Intentional in the Teen Years

Use this Cheat Sheet to remind you of how you can love your teen.

Thanks for being here! The download link is on it's way.

#14 Heart Booster from Resource Library

Thanks for being here! Your download link is on it's way.

Download your copy

Download your copy

Blending Life and Lessons - and start your journey of changing your thinking about education.

Thanks for being here! Your download link is on it's way.

Download: One Another Verses pdf

Download this list of One Another verses and teach your children how to love others.

Thanks for being here! Your download link is on it's way.

Raising Kids with Character

ATTEND LIVE : FREE PARENTING WORKSHOP

A bonus for Heart Booster readers:  Learn how to teach character to your kids so that they can live their lives making values-based choices.

 

Live Session:  5th May 2021, 6.30pm AWST

Replay available until 16th May 2021

 

I'm so excited about this workshop - thanks for joining me!

Raising Kids with Character

REPLAY OPTION : FREE PARENTING WORKSHOP

A bonus for Heart Booster readers:  Learn how to teach character to your kids so that they can live their lives making values-based choices.

 

Replay available from 6th May until 16th May 2021

 

I'm so excited about this workshop - thanks for joining me!

Raising Kids with Character

WAITLIST

 

The Raising Kids with Character parenting workshop will be offered again this year - details yet to be confirmed.  Join the waitlist so you don't miss out. 

I will keep in you in the loop as soon as decisions have been made!

Bonus Reading list

 

Sharing my Homeschool Belief File

Knowing what you believe and why about education and homeschooling helps you make good decisions.

Thanks for being here! Your download link is on it's way.

Build your Family Routine
Starter Kit:

Assess and Plan how to use your time wisely with this worksheet bundle.

Instant download, and then join the Heart Boost Weekly, by confirming in your email.

Success! An email link is being sent to you!

Success! An email is on it's way!

Free email course

... delivered to your email inbox

Success! An email is on it's way!

Download: Family Devotional Activities (PDF)

Thanks for being here! Your download link is on it's way.

Download:Workshop Resource

This is a digital product. Download and print - but please don't share. 

Thanks for being here! Your download link is on it's way.

#21 Heart Booster from Resource Library

Thanks for being here! Your download link is on it's way.

Free email course

... delivered to your email inbox

Success! An email is on it's way!

Success! An email is on it's way!

%d