When you’re homeschooling children of different ages, finding activities that engage everyone can feel like chaos. But there’s one practice that naturally works for every age group in your family: daily family devotions.
This cornerstone habit changed our homeschool, even when my husband was not onboard. More on that later. Daily family devotions has the power to unite your multi-age homeschool while building the Biblical foundation your children need.
Why Daily Family Devotions Work with Multiple Ages in Your Family
In our homeschool journey, laying a Biblical foundation was absolutely key in educating our children. Steve and I knew that a homeschool from a Christian perspective was imperative to bring our children up with Christian values. One of our overall goals was that our kids would become Christians, who would walk with God and be able to think both Biblically and critically.
Daily family devotions became the perfect vehicle for this goal because we naturally all learned together, no matter the ages. While your toddler might simply listen to Bible stories, your teenager can engage in deeper theological discussions. The beauty lies in how Scripture speaks to every heart, regardless of age.
The REAL Story: Our Journey Wasn’t Always Easy
Let me be honest – establishing consistent daily family devotions wasn’t smooth sailing from the start. There was a time when Steve didn’t think family devotions were as important as I did. We both tell this story when we speak at homeschool conferences, though each version is probably a bit different!
I wanted Steve to lead family devotions. Isn’t that what dads are supposed to do – be the leader of the house and lead family worship?
So I nagged him. A lot! And I’m sure you know how that worked – not very well!
That nagging continued until I heard a guest on the Focus on the Family radio show. I can still remember the street I was driving down when I heard it – about 3 blocks from our house. I was alone in the car when I heard Dobson’s guest say:
“If there’s something you wish your husband would do, pray for him. Don’t nag him“
I was immediately convicted to change my approach, so I started praying instead of nagging.
I learned very quickly that God’s work doesn’t happen instantly. It’s not instant pudding, instant oatmeal, or instant microwave. Steve didn’t change in a week, a month, or even a year. It was a few years later when he saw the importance of consistent, daily family devotions. Now he teaches other dads about the importance of family devotions!
Let me tell you … when Steve started leading family devotions, it was so much better than what I was doing. Praise God!
Adapting During the Transition
Did I skip family devotions during those years I was praying for Steve?
Absolutely not.
The kids and I still had our devotions at the breakfast table, after Steve left for work each morning. I didn’t do it in front of him, or make a big deal out of it. I quietly lead devotions for our family until Steve was onboard.
While the kids finished breakfast, I led our family devotions using resources that worked well for our multi-age group.
Our first devotional series came from Our 24 Family Ways by Wholeheart Ministries. It was straightforward and very easy to use – just open to the page you were working on, and it told you what questions to ask, what Scripture to read, and what to pray for. I needed that simplicity!
Creating the Habit That Stuck
When Steve started leading devotions, we continued having them during breakfast. He made a brilliant decision: tie family devotions to a daily habit. Since we eat breakfast every day, having devotions during breakfast time meant we knew we were getting it done.
Besides, Steve finishes eating quicker than any of us. He had a captive audience and plenty of time to lead devotions while we finished our breakfast.
Steve began with Teaching Hearts, Training Minds, which became one of our favorite resources as our kids grew older. This resource helps children develop a firm foundation of Scripture and theology, making it perfect for multi-age learning. We also read through many books of the Bible, with Steve reading passages and asking lots of questions that led to wonderful discussions.
Making Daily Family Devotions Work for You
The key to successful daily family devotions in a multi-age setting lies in asking questions that allow each child to respond at their level. When you read about David and Goliath, your 5-year-old might focus on how God helped David be brave, while your 12-year-old explores the deeper themes of faith and obedience.
Here are practical tips for implementing this in your homeschool routine:
Start Small: If family devotions are new to your family, find a habit you already do every day – like eating breakfast or dinner. Attach devotions to that established routine.
Choose Age-Appropriate Resources: Look for devotional materials that offer discussion questions for different maturity levels. Resources like Teaching Hearts, Training Minds work beautifully because they provide foundational truths that can be understood simply or explored deeply.
Whatever you choose, be sure to read the Bible everyday to your family … not a storybook Bible or the Action Bible, but the real Bible. Even toddlers can sit through passages when read with expression. To find out more about reading the Bible to your kids when they are young, check out Together: Growing Appetites for God. The first chapter will change your mind.
Embrace Flexibility: Some days your toddler will fidget, your middle schooler will seem distracted, and your teenager might ask challenging questions. That’s normal and healthy in a multi-age setting!
Focus on Consistency Over Perfection: The goal isn’t to have picture-perfect devotional times. The goal is to consistently place God’s Word at the center of your family life.
The Long-Term Impact
Through years of daily family devotions, we’ve watched our children develop critical thinking skills rooted in Biblical truth. They’ve learned to ask good questions, think through complex issues, and apply Scripture to real-life situations. These skills serve them well whether they’re 8 or 18.
Most importantly, daily family devotions created a culture in our home where discussing spiritual matters feels natural and safe. Our children know they can bring their questions, doubts, and discoveries to the breakfast table, where Scripture provides the truth and the foundation for every conversation.
Getting Started Today
Don’t wait for the perfect moment or the perfect plan. Choose a time that works for your family – breakfast worked for us, but dinner, bedtime, or even afternoon snack time might work better for you. Pick up a simple devotional resource, gather your multi-age crew, and begin building this foundation one day at a time.
Remember, establishing daily family devotions isn’t about creating perfect little theologians overnight. It’s about creating space for God’s Word to shape your family culture and giving your children – regardless of their ages – the tools they need to think Biblically about everything they encounter in their homeschool journey and beyond.
Ready to make daily family devotions actually fun?
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Your kids will actually ask for devotion time instead of groaning, and you’ll finally have that peaceful family worship you’ve been dreaming about. Let me do the prep work so you can focus on growing your children in God’s love!
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