Family Devotions Part 4-Obstacles
With 2006 just started, New Year’s Resolutions are in full swing. A small amount of those resolutions will be kept all year, but most will remain unfulfilled by March or April. The reason? Obstacles. Almost any goal has obstacles, including the goal to have a consistent time of family devotions. Over the last few months we have taken a look at the components of family worship—prayer, prayer, and Bible study. In this article, we will examine some of the “what if’s” which may serve as obstacles to your goal.
The most common obstacle is time. Kids are in various sports, school activities, or jobs, and parents have their own busy schedules to see to. Sometimes it may seem like there is no possible opportunity for family devotions. How do family devotions fit into a busy schedule? Here a few suggestions. First, start small. Finding a consistent time to meet as a family seven days a week may be impossible. So, start with just one day. You may wish to start with Sunday or a week night when everyone will be home. Second, pick a time that is most realistic. For instance, if you have teenagers that work, having devotions after dinner may not be the best time because teen work schedules can be unpredictable, causing them to miss dinner several times a week. Choose a time that will work best in your current schedule, rather than attempting to rearrange set schedules. Perhaps early morning will work best. Again, start small, perhaps only having family devotions one morning a week. As time goes on, the number of times can be slowly increased. Do not get discouraged if you are only able to meet as a family for worship two or three times a week. Start small and find a time in your schedule which works.
The second most common obstacle is attitude. I remember as a teen hating to drop everything which I thought was important so that our family could do family devotions. My extended family now does devotions after dinner, and my sisters still attempt to get away from the table before Dad remembers devotions. It is a common obstacle to find opposition to the idea of family devotions, even within your own family. To counteract this, think quality over quantity. If you attempt to have an hour of family worship each day, you are nearly guaranteed to find opposition in the attitude of your teens. Consider limiting the time of family devotions to around five to ten minutes. If you are using a purchased devotional guide, allow the length of the guide to set the length of your family devotions. Second, be consistent. If you as a parent do not place a priority in family devotions, you children will not either. Continue to set family worship as a priority and lead by example. Do not let a busy schedule overrule your normal time of family devotions. Allow your children to see that it is a priority to you.
Perhaps you are asking yourself “what if we do not have children?” Contrary to common thought, family devotions is not just for families with kids. In Ephesians 5:26, Paul writes that Christ sanctifies His bride “with the washing of the Word.” Christian husbands should seek to do the same. Again, family devotions are not an opportunity for a husband to preach to his wife about all of her faults. Instead, it is an opportunity for a husband and wife to connect on a deeper level as they examine the Scriptures together. Family devotions are just as important for couples without children as for those with. A Christian husband should be actively interested in discipling his wife. Other family structures may seem to be an obstacle as well, such a single parent homes. Yet, the same tips can eliminate this obstacle as well. Family devotions must almost always be initiated by the parent. When the children see it is important to the parent, most other obstacles will become non-issues.
Whether the obstacle is time, attitudes, or unique family structures, do not allow these obstacles to stand in your way of having a time of family devotions. Start small, be consistent, be realistic, and commit yourself to having a time of family worship.
