Jesus In Our Homes And Lives

Raising children in the plans and purpose God has created them for — what an incredible honor and joy, and oh my, what a tremendous responsibility!

Though this task can sometimes feel like a heavy load in our already full lives and long to-do lists, God is in it with us. Often without us realizing, He speaks to us in the mundane rhythms of everyday life. As we walk closely with the Lord and grow in our desire to know Him, we begin to recognize Him more and more — making it easier to share that view with our children.

Think about one thing your parents truly instilled in you as a child. Maybe your dad loved baseball and taught you how to swing a bat. Maybe your mom shared her love of painting or cooking. These passions have a way of weaving themselves into our lives and are often passed down without much effort.

Teaching our children to love God doesn’t mean we need to spend every waking minute quoting Scripture. It’s about being intentional. For instance, when your child shares a tough moment at school — maybe they were called a name or treated unfairly — that’s a perfect opportunity to bring up Jesus’ teachings on forgiveness and compassion.

At Vine & Branches Lutheran Church and Childcare in Aldie, Virginia, we know that family devotion time can look different in every home. But it doesn’t have to be complicated.

Here Are Some Practical Devotion Tips

• Share your own daily challenges and how you leaned on God for wisdom and peace.
• Practice “Highs and Lows” at the dinner table — let everyone share one low and one high from their day. Listen, empathize, and reflect together, just like Jesus would.
• Include Bible storybooks in your reading routine.

Some of Our Favorite Books

• What A Beautiful Name (Inspired by Hillsong Worship)
• This I Know by Clay Andersen
• Dear God… Kids Series by Annie Fitzgerald
• A Kid’s Guide to the Armor of God by Tony Evans

You can also explore more ideas here: Christian Books for Kids

Media That Builds Faith

Incorporate wholesome, Biblical TV shows and movies into your child’s screen time.

Some subscriptions to consider include: Yippee TV and Minno.

Family Favorites in Our Home

• Owlegories (Amazon Prime)
• Superbook (Amazon Prime)
• Veggie Tales (YouTube)
• Listener Kids (YouTube)
• Miss Kelly (YouTube)

Make a Joyful Noise!

One of our family’s favorite ways to worship together is through music. Whether it’s singing along in the car or dancing in the kitchen, Christian music builds a joyful environment filled with truth.

We love artists like TobyMac, Brandon Lake, Tauren Wells, and Forrest Frank — music that gets the kids dancing and keeps Jesus at the center of the celebration.

If you happen to pull up beside us at a red light, you just might see heads bobbing, arms raised, and car karaoke in full swing. Because the more joyfully we live out our faith, the more our children will reflect that joy in their own lives.