The Purpose of Family Devotions

Family devotions are challenging. They’re tough. They require time, commitment, consistency, and patience. It’s opening the Bible instead of turning on the TV. It’s praying for forgiveness with your children five minutes after yelling at them. It’s leading your family at the end of an exhausting day. It’s trying different ways of implementing devotions until you find what works for your family.

But family devotions are also rewarding. It’s hearing your spouse talk about Jesus with your children. It’s catching a glimpse of your daughter’s heart as she prays to her Savior. It’s your son knowing the story of the cross. It’s your family being familiar and comfortable with words like forgiveness and grace. It’s dinnertime Bible studies, living room worship, car ride conversations, and bedtime prayers.

Regardless of the age, background, or personality of those in your home, it is never too early to begin family devotions. As C.H. Spurgeon reminds us, we are to “Begin early to teach, for children begin early to sin.”[i]

The Rewards of Family Devotions

We see just how rewarding and just how fruitful family devotions can be when we peak through the windows of Timothy’s home again, as we did in chapter five.

When we first see Paul meeting Timothy, we learn three things about Timothy: he is a disciple, his mom is a believer, and he is well spoken of by the church (Acts 16:1-2).

Timothy’s discipleship began in the home. It was Timothy’s grandmother, Lois and his mother, Eunice, who invested in his spiritual walk and spiritual growth. The faith first dwelt in these ladies and was passed down through Family Discipleship to the young man.

I imagine that for these two women, this task of teaching Timothy proved exhausting at times. I imagine there were times when they didn’t feel like modeling their faith or encouraging his. And yet they did. And because they did, they saw Timothy grow into an example in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. As a result of their discipleship, Timothy was saved and sanctified (2 Timothy 3:15).