School starts back in just a few days in some districts. Others of you may have another month before the first day of school. No matter when your kids head back to class, why not start the year out right with the first of what could be a year of important, practical family devotionals?
The book of Proverbs is a great way to teach children and teens the practicality and importance of following God’s wisdom and obeying His commands. Wisdom is a great theme to discuss with your children throughout the school year. What is knowledge? What is wisdom? Can one have lots of knowledge, but little wisdom? Is it possible to be wise without knowledge? How do the things they are learning each day in school fit into the ongoing discussion of knowledge and wisdom? How might they use the things they are learning to serve God?
Choose a time for your devotional that is unlikely to be interrupted by activities. If your children are particularly exhausted in the morning or the evening, try to pick the time when they are most alert. Tie your family devotionals to something you do every day, like eating a particular meal, when they are eating an after school snack or at bedtime. Don’t make them too long. If they are particularly interested in the verses you have read, you can continue your discussion off and on throughout the day.
Proverbs has 31 chapters, containing 915 verses. Since the school year lasts 180 days, that means you only need to cover an average of about five verses each school day. Or you can cover more and go through the entire book more than once during the year. Don’t get too rigid about the number of verses each day. Some days a thought might take ten verses, while other days just one verse can spark a lively discussion. End each devotional time praying over your children, their teachers, friends and schools. It’s a great way to keep your kids focused on being who God wants them to be every day at school.