Do the words “family altar” intimidate you? Are you hesitant to begin having regular devotions with your family, because the prospect seems too difficult and time-consuming? In the 1^st of 20 articles on family devotions, Dr. Don Dunlap explains that we are more likely to stick with a plan that is not long and complicated. He discusses how we can begin to develop a family devotional plan that is perfectly suited for our unique family unit.

After the breakfast dishes are cleared away, Jim and Susan call enthusiastically to their children, “Time for family worship!” One by one, Josh, 14, Amanda 8 and Kevin, 3, file into the living room and plop down on the sofa. With eyes half closed they rally themselves when Jim admonishes them to “look alert.” “When will this be over?” Josh asks his dad. “I’ve still got some homework to finish up.” “Do we have to do this every morning?” Amanda whines. “My friend Caitlin’s mom only makes them have family devotions twice a week.” “I’m sleepy!” announces Kevin as he curls up and lies down on the carpet.” Thus begins another exciting episode of “Can we survive family worship today?”

Many parents want to know the best time to have family devotions and what materials and resources are best.

Many couples that come for counseling ask me about family worship. Most Christian men feel overwhelmed by the challenge and unequipped for the task of leading their wives and children in family devotions. Many Christian women, who for various reasons are charged with the leadership of family worship, feel the same way.

If our plan gets too complicated we probably won’t stay with it for very long.

If you are a single parent, the material presented in this series of articles should be applicable to your situation as well. The important thing to remember is that family worship need not be long or complicated. It should, however, be as consistent as possible. We are usually more prone to stick with a plan that is simple and workable.

We maintain the same basic plan, but we constantly modify it as we see what works best from season to season.

Over the past twenty years of our parenting experience, my wife and I have tried numerous approaches to conducting family worship. Over time we have developed a family worship plan that we can comfortably implement. We have ten children, seven of whom are under the age of thirteen. We have, of course, continually modified our approach and our teaching methodology, according to the changing configuration of our growing “tribe.”

You may wish to use a few of our suggestions after considering them prayerfully. However, we do not recommend trying to duplicate the family worship time of any particular family. There is no “one right way” or right time to conduct family devotions. God has created each family uniquely different and each family must discover the plan that works best for them.

• Keeping Family Worship Simple
  Family devotions don’t have to be long and complex to be meaningful.
• Four Daily “Teaching Moments” for Parents
  Understand the four natural “teaching moments” that occur during the course of every day.
• Making Time for Family Worship
  If you think there’s not enough time for family worship you may want to re-think your reasons.
• Does God Call Us to Entertain Our Children?
  Have you thought about whether your home is a place of entertainment or an educational center?
• Setting Reachable Goals for Family Worship
  Are you “running out of gas” in your efforts to lead family devotions? Set simpler goals.
• You Can Avoid Parenting Burnout!
  Each child must understand that he or she plays an important role in maintaining family routines.
• Creative Ideas for Family Worship
  All out of ideas for creative family devotion times? Read on for some helpful suggestions.
• Making Family Prayer Time Meaningful
  Want to raise children who know how to pray? Pray aloud with them and ask them to pray with you.
• Seizing the Teachable Moments
  The Faith, Obedience and Sin Principles are three important truths we must teach our children.
• Teaching Children Life Principles
  Family devotion time is a prime opportunity to invest life-changing principles in our children.
• Children Can Become Faithful Stewards
  Parents are responsible to help their children steward their possessions and choose godly friends.
• Teaching Children a Healthy Fear of God
  If your daily schedule is crowding out family devotions you can simplify and reach your goals.
• Child Character Training
  As parents we must not neglect to build godly character into our children’s lives. Read how!
• Why Should We Teach Our Children Character?
  Our children must possess godly character in order to impact their world for Jesus Christ.