Putting First Things First
Establishing Spiritual Priorities
1. Daily Devotions
2. Disciple, Train, Discipline, and Nurture Your Children
3. Bible Study and Memorization
4. Fellowship, Service, and Evangelism
1. Daily Devotions
1. Spend Time Together as a Family with the Lord Every Day!
Be sure your family's schedule includes daily time with the Lord. Family Bible time or devotions do not need to be long or complicated. Just do it!
• Set aside a regularly scheduled time each day, perhaps while everyone is still at the breakfast or dinner table or before going to bed at night.
• You can also read, quote, or meditate on Scripture with your family throughout the day. For example, read a Psalm at the breakfast table, work on a memory verse after lunch, and have family Devotions with Dad in the evening.
2. Bible Reading
"And that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures,which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,and is profitable for doctrine,for reproof, for correction,for instruction in righteousness,that the man of God may be complete,thoroughly equipped for every good work."
(II Timothy 3:15-17)
Let God talk to you by reading His Word. Reading the whole Bible through from cover to cover enables your family to hear God's complete truth and helps prevent errors in interpretation and understanding.
• Teach your children to love and obey the Lord by helping them get to know Him and what He tells them to do in His written Word.
• You can read through the Bible each year in about 15 minutes a day – and you can start at any time.
• Take a few minutes to discuss what you've read. Recall facts, test comprehension by paraphrasing, and make applications.
Most importantly, show your love for God and desire to know Him and respond to His message. Your attitude will make a life-long impression.
3. Family Prayers
Teach your children to pray and pray with them daily.
• Explain the ministry of praying for others as well as the
comfort of casting our own cares on the Lord in prayer.
• Draw up a weekly prayer list or chart to help your family to
be faithful in your ministry of prayer.
• Pray for political leaders, issues of concern, your family's
goals, friends, unsaved people, items of thanksgiving, etc.
4. Learn Hymns and Sing Together
Music is a powerful influence in the spiritual lives of our families. Learn and sing hymns together during family devotions, at mealtimes, in the car, or on special sing nights.
• Start by memorizing "Amazing Grace" or your favorite hymn. Learn a new hymn each month, e.g., "And Can It Be," "How Great Thou Art," "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God," etc.
• Look for hymns that contain accurate theology and/or are based on Scripture.
• Read the background stories of individual hymns and their authors. This will make their messages even more meaningful, e.g., "It Is Well with My Soul."
• Listen to inspiring Christian music online at Old Christian Radio or Abiding Radio.
5. Your Children's Personal Devotions
As soon as your child can read, encourage him to read from God's Word on his own at a certain time each day. You could have him read it aloud to you for a while until he establishes the habit.
Sharing with your children what you have learned in your own personal devotions will encourage them as well! Also teach him to:
• Think about what he has read. Consider asking him to write notes in a journal. He might look for attributes of God, instructions or good examples to follow, sins to avoid, etc.
• Do something about what he has read, such as share the truth with someone or change something in his own life.
• Pray. Thank the Lord for what He has done; ask God for forgiveness; ask Him for what you need and to show you what He wants you to do.
Whatever else you do this school year, bring your family together to meet with the Lord each day
2. Disciple, Train, Discipline, and Nurture Your Children
1. Disciple Your Children
You disciple (teach and train) your children through your own example, your daily time together with the Lord, and your behavior throughout the day.
Your child's salvation, spiritual growth, and right relationships with God and others give him the inner ability to display the fruits of the Spirit – character qualities we want our children to have – love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
• Read the online article by Luis Palau, "How to Lead Your Child to Christ."
• Removing ungodly influences in your home will help furnish an atmosphere for godliness and diminish temptations. Seek God's wisdom and help, as this step can require courage!
2. Train and Discipline Your Children
You might be tempted to think that it is self-serving to teach your children to obey and honor you, but it is for their own benefit.
You do yourself, your children, and their future families a grave disservice if you do not teach and require obedience and respect.
• Teach your child what God commands and promises about obeying and honoring their parents (Exodus 20:12; Ephesians 6:1-3; Colossians 3:20).
• Have your children memorize pertinent verses (see above).
• Discuss ways of honoring parents in word, deed, and thought. (See "For This Is Right" from Doorposts, containing Scripture and questions to help children evaluate their honor and obedience to their parents.)
• Establish child discipline and training, with husband and wife in agreement.
See "7 Guidelines for Child Training and Discipline" and "Child Training
3. Nurture Your Children
Be sure to show your love to each of your children (and husband!) every day in tangible ways. (See "The Five Love Languages" by Gary Chapman.)
• Tell them that you love them; leave a note for them under their pillow, etc.
• Thank them for something they have done or that you appreciate about them.
• Spend one-on-one time with them for a few minutes each day, or a longer time once a week (e.g., errands). Be sure to listen carefully to your child.
• Occasionally give small gifts.
• Acts of service define a mother's life, but sometimes a special effort can tell your child that you really love him.
• Physical contact, such as hugs, kisses, or pats on the back or shoulder.
A Family Night once a week does a lot to foster parent-child relations and is fun!
A positive atmosphere of mutual love and respect honors the Lord and helps your family grow spiritually. It also makes teaching and learning more effective.
3. Bible Study and Memorization
1. Bible Study
In addition to your family's daily devotional time and Bible reading, you can urther develop your children's Bible knowledge and Bible study skills by adding a Bible class to your school schedule.
• Learn Bible study skills and study on your own. (See "How Can I Understand The Bible?" free 33-page e-book or order a printed copy from Radio Bible Class.)
• Order Bible curriculum from a publisher such as Deeper Roots, Judah Bible Curriculum, A Beka Book, BJU
Press, or Moody Bible Institute distance learning college credit courses.
2. Bible Memory
Through Bible memorization, you can store God's Word in the hearts of your children for a lifetime. These Scriptures will be remembered long after your children leave your influence and teaching!
Bible passages committed to memory allows us to meditate on God's Word. This keeps us from sin and from being pressed into the World s mold (Psalm 119:11, Romans 12:2).
• Memorize Bible passages together by drilling verse cards, reading or reciting aloud, or writing and rewriting them. (Read tips on "How To Memorize Scripture.")
• Learn verses that show the plan of salvation, or teach basic doctrines and attributes of God.
• Learn larger Scripture portions such as a Psalm (1, 23, 19, or 91), the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, The Lord's Prayer, the Armor of God, the Fruits of the Spirit, etc.
• Young children can learn "Be" verses – be kind, be obedient, etc. (see free 39-page e-book from Awana) and verses starting with each letter of the alphabet (see free 57-page e-book from Awana).
• Put together your own Bible memory and review program and make verse cards, or use a program that comes with a Bible curriculum.
• Take a few minutes before each meal and/or bedtime to say a Bible memory verse together.
It is easy to learn one verse each week in this manner. This adds up to 50 per year, or a total of 650, when learned from K through 12th grade!
4. Fellowship, Service, and Evangelism
1. Fellowship
"And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together,as the manner of some is;but exhorting one another:and so much the more,as ye see the day approaching."(Hebrews 10:24-25)
Fellowship with like-minded, spiritual Christians is essential for our spiritual lives.
The fellowship and teaching of your local church supplies important support for your spiritual life.
When like-minded home-school families spend time together, they provide needed support and encouragement for the whole family.
2. Service
"So then, while we have opportunity,let us do good to all people,and especially to those who are of the household of the faith." (Galatians 6:10)
Service to others is an important part of our spiritual lives in obedience to God.
Our service helps provide for the needs of others, gets our attention off of ourselves and onto others, and can make us thankful for God's blessings to us.
Our first efforts of service are the daily chores and acts of helpfulness within our own families (see Doorposts' "Service Opportunity Chart").
Other opportunities to serve include your church, support group, rescue mission, retirement home, meals on wheels, crisis pregnancy center, animal shelter, etc. Working together as a family ensures that your children are safe and that the family shares a unifying goal.
Besides serving others, volunteering offers an opportunity to learn new skills and explore career possibilities.
Some of the nicest things you and/or your children can do to help neighbors or church members who are elderly, busy, or physically challenged, include mowing their lawns or cooking them a meal.
3. Evangelism
"Go ye into all the world,and preach the gospel to every creature."(Mark 16:15)
Our great commission to share the good news of salvation is both a command and a privilege. It is also a natural outgrowth of our spiritual life.
• Pray that the Lord will direct you to a ministry and bring people into your life that you can witness to – and He will!
• Revolutionize your vision and methods of evangelism by listening to or reading "Hell's Best Kept Secret."
• Use tracts to spread the Gospel. Read "The Use of Tracts" by R. A. Torrey.
• Order tracts such as "God's Simple Plan of Salvation" (available in many languages); and Gospels of John (available from the Pocket Testament League in several English translations, as well as Spanish and Chinese, all with the plan of salvation included).
• Pray that the seeds of God's Word you have planted will bear eternal fruit.
• Write out a 2-3 sentence testimony and practice saying it naturally.
• Teach your children about worldwide missions, the missionaries your church supports, and help them develop a heart for Missions (see suggestions in Newsletter #145).
This article is courtesy The Teaching Home
The Teaching Home is a homeschool, family-run business operated in since 1980
1. Daily Devotions
2. Disciple, Train, Discipline, and Nurture Your Children
3. Bible Study and Memorization
4. Fellowship, Service, and Evangelism
1. Daily Devotions
1. Spend Time Together as a Family with the Lord Every Day!
Be sure your family's schedule includes daily time with the Lord. Family Bible time or devotions do not need to be long or complicated. Just do it!
• Set aside a regularly scheduled time each day, perhaps while everyone is still at the breakfast or dinner table or before going to bed at night.
• You can also read, quote, or meditate on Scripture with your family throughout the day. For example, read a Psalm at the breakfast table, work on a memory verse after lunch, and have family Devotions with Dad in the evening.
2. Bible Reading
"And that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures,which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,and is profitable for doctrine,for reproof, for correction,for instruction in righteousness,that the man of God may be complete,thoroughly equipped for every good work."
(II Timothy 3:15-17)
Let God talk to you by reading His Word. Reading the whole Bible through from cover to cover enables your family to hear God's complete truth and helps prevent errors in interpretation and understanding.
• Teach your children to love and obey the Lord by helping them get to know Him and what He tells them to do in His written Word.
• You can read through the Bible each year in about 15 minutes a day – and you can start at any time.
• Take a few minutes to discuss what you've read. Recall facts, test comprehension by paraphrasing, and make applications.
Most importantly, show your love for God and desire to know Him and respond to His message. Your attitude will make a life-long impression.
3. Family Prayers
Teach your children to pray and pray with them daily.
• Explain the ministry of praying for others as well as the
comfort of casting our own cares on the Lord in prayer.
• Draw up a weekly prayer list or chart to help your family to
be faithful in your ministry of prayer.
• Pray for political leaders, issues of concern, your family's
goals, friends, unsaved people, items of thanksgiving, etc.
4. Learn Hymns and Sing Together
Music is a powerful influence in the spiritual lives of our families. Learn and sing hymns together during family devotions, at mealtimes, in the car, or on special sing nights.
• Start by memorizing "Amazing Grace" or your favorite hymn. Learn a new hymn each month, e.g., "And Can It Be," "How Great Thou Art," "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God," etc.
• Look for hymns that contain accurate theology and/or are based on Scripture.
• Read the background stories of individual hymns and their authors. This will make their messages even more meaningful, e.g., "It Is Well with My Soul."
• Listen to inspiring Christian music online at Old Christian Radio or Abiding Radio.
5. Your Children's Personal Devotions
As soon as your child can read, encourage him to read from God's Word on his own at a certain time each day. You could have him read it aloud to you for a while until he establishes the habit.
Sharing with your children what you have learned in your own personal devotions will encourage them as well! Also teach him to:
• Think about what he has read. Consider asking him to write notes in a journal. He might look for attributes of God, instructions or good examples to follow, sins to avoid, etc.
• Do something about what he has read, such as share the truth with someone or change something in his own life.
• Pray. Thank the Lord for what He has done; ask God for forgiveness; ask Him for what you need and to show you what He wants you to do.
Whatever else you do this school year, bring your family together to meet with the Lord each day
2. Disciple, Train, Discipline, and Nurture Your Children
1. Disciple Your Children
You disciple (teach and train) your children through your own example, your daily time together with the Lord, and your behavior throughout the day.
Your child's salvation, spiritual growth, and right relationships with God and others give him the inner ability to display the fruits of the Spirit – character qualities we want our children to have – love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
• Read the online article by Luis Palau, "How to Lead Your Child to Christ."
• Removing ungodly influences in your home will help furnish an atmosphere for godliness and diminish temptations. Seek God's wisdom and help, as this step can require courage!
2. Train and Discipline Your Children
You might be tempted to think that it is self-serving to teach your children to obey and honor you, but it is for their own benefit.
You do yourself, your children, and their future families a grave disservice if you do not teach and require obedience and respect.
• Teach your child what God commands and promises about obeying and honoring their parents (Exodus 20:12; Ephesians 6:1-3; Colossians 3:20).
• Have your children memorize pertinent verses (see above).
• Discuss ways of honoring parents in word, deed, and thought. (See "For This Is Right" from Doorposts, containing Scripture and questions to help children evaluate their honor and obedience to their parents.)
• Establish child discipline and training, with husband and wife in agreement.
See "7 Guidelines for Child Training and Discipline" and "Child Training
3. Nurture Your Children
Be sure to show your love to each of your children (and husband!) every day in tangible ways. (See "The Five Love Languages" by Gary Chapman.)
• Tell them that you love them; leave a note for them under their pillow, etc.
• Thank them for something they have done or that you appreciate about them.
• Spend one-on-one time with them for a few minutes each day, or a longer time once a week (e.g., errands). Be sure to listen carefully to your child.
• Occasionally give small gifts.
• Acts of service define a mother's life, but sometimes a special effort can tell your child that you really love him.
• Physical contact, such as hugs, kisses, or pats on the back or shoulder.
A Family Night once a week does a lot to foster parent-child relations and is fun!
A positive atmosphere of mutual love and respect honors the Lord and helps your family grow spiritually. It also makes teaching and learning more effective.
3. Bible Study and Memorization
1. Bible Study
In addition to your family's daily devotional time and Bible reading, you can urther develop your children's Bible knowledge and Bible study skills by adding a Bible class to your school schedule.
• Learn Bible study skills and study on your own. (See "How Can I Understand The Bible?" free 33-page e-book or order a printed copy from Radio Bible Class.)
• Order Bible curriculum from a publisher such as Deeper Roots, Judah Bible Curriculum, A Beka Book, BJU
Press, or Moody Bible Institute distance learning college credit courses.
2. Bible Memory
Through Bible memorization, you can store God's Word in the hearts of your children for a lifetime. These Scriptures will be remembered long after your children leave your influence and teaching!
Bible passages committed to memory allows us to meditate on God's Word. This keeps us from sin and from being pressed into the World s mold (Psalm 119:11, Romans 12:2).
• Memorize Bible passages together by drilling verse cards, reading or reciting aloud, or writing and rewriting them. (Read tips on "How To Memorize Scripture.")
• Learn verses that show the plan of salvation, or teach basic doctrines and attributes of God.
• Learn larger Scripture portions such as a Psalm (1, 23, 19, or 91), the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, The Lord's Prayer, the Armor of God, the Fruits of the Spirit, etc.
• Young children can learn "Be" verses – be kind, be obedient, etc. (see free 39-page e-book from Awana) and verses starting with each letter of the alphabet (see free 57-page e-book from Awana).
• Put together your own Bible memory and review program and make verse cards, or use a program that comes with a Bible curriculum.
• Take a few minutes before each meal and/or bedtime to say a Bible memory verse together.
It is easy to learn one verse each week in this manner. This adds up to 50 per year, or a total of 650, when learned from K through 12th grade!
4. Fellowship, Service, and Evangelism
1. Fellowship
"And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together,as the manner of some is;but exhorting one another:and so much the more,as ye see the day approaching."(Hebrews 10:24-25)
Fellowship with like-minded, spiritual Christians is essential for our spiritual lives.
The fellowship and teaching of your local church supplies important support for your spiritual life.
When like-minded home-school families spend time together, they provide needed support and encouragement for the whole family.
2. Service
"So then, while we have opportunity,let us do good to all people,and especially to those who are of the household of the faith." (Galatians 6:10)
Service to others is an important part of our spiritual lives in obedience to God.
Our service helps provide for the needs of others, gets our attention off of ourselves and onto others, and can make us thankful for God's blessings to us.
Our first efforts of service are the daily chores and acts of helpfulness within our own families (see Doorposts' "Service Opportunity Chart").
Other opportunities to serve include your church, support group, rescue mission, retirement home, meals on wheels, crisis pregnancy center, animal shelter, etc. Working together as a family ensures that your children are safe and that the family shares a unifying goal.
Besides serving others, volunteering offers an opportunity to learn new skills and explore career possibilities.
Some of the nicest things you and/or your children can do to help neighbors or church members who are elderly, busy, or physically challenged, include mowing their lawns or cooking them a meal.
3. Evangelism
"Go ye into all the world,and preach the gospel to every creature."(Mark 16:15)
Our great commission to share the good news of salvation is both a command and a privilege. It is also a natural outgrowth of our spiritual life.
• Pray that the Lord will direct you to a ministry and bring people into your life that you can witness to – and He will!
• Revolutionize your vision and methods of evangelism by listening to or reading "Hell's Best Kept Secret."
• Use tracts to spread the Gospel. Read "The Use of Tracts" by R. A. Torrey.
• Order tracts such as "God's Simple Plan of Salvation" (available in many languages); and Gospels of John (available from the Pocket Testament League in several English translations, as well as Spanish and Chinese, all with the plan of salvation included).
• Pray that the seeds of God's Word you have planted will bear eternal fruit.
• Write out a 2-3 sentence testimony and practice saying it naturally.
• Teach your children about worldwide missions, the missionaries your church supports, and help them develop a heart for Missions (see suggestions in Newsletter #145).
This article is courtesy The Teaching Home
The Teaching Home is a homeschool, family-run business operated in since 1980