“You shall teach them diligently to your children and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up” Deuteronomy 6:7
One of my favorite “quick reads” for morning devotions (or anytime!) are books that are daily or just “many-entried” “collections.”
For example, we are currently doing some of the following for various devotional/read aloud times:
1. “Case for Christ Study Bible” by Lee Strobel—excerpts from his book within a NJKV Bible
2. “The American Patriot’s Almanac” by William J. Bennett—daily readings
3. “Gaining Favor With God and Man” –character stories about people in history
4. “In His Hands: A Family Devotional”—daily readings about nature/animals
5. “101 Hymn Stories” by Kenneth W. Osbeck
I have found that I am more successful and consistent in my “faith teaching” with my children if I have what I call “grab and go” types of materials. I don’t have a lot of prep time—and sometimes I need short reads for rushed days. “Daily” or “many entried” collections fit that bill!
This is great advice, Donna. I find that one of the BIGGEST struggles with homeschooling is getting everyone "launched" and grounded in the Word right from the start of the day-- a quick read really enables me to lay aside perfectionism and DO IT, because even if I have to interrupt something else they are doing, it doesn't take LONG.
ReplyDeleteThe difference it makes in the day to start out focused on Scripture is tangible, too.
I am enjoying your blog!
Thanks, April! Sometimes less is definitely more. If we only do it occasionally because of the detail/difficulty/involvement/time, etc. of it-then how much better would it be to do something smaller/more manageable and do it all the time? The other thing is that I have found that I am in this for the long-haul--I will have homeschooled for thirty-three years when I am done--slow and steady is the way to go--"precept upon precept" for many, many years. It's not sprint..it's truly a marathon! :)
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