Why Devotions Matter—Even in the Busy Seasons
Between spilled cereal, errands, playtime, cleanup, and bedtime stories, family discipleship can easily slip through the cracks. But teaching our kids about God doesn’t have to be one more thing on the to-do list—it can flow naturally into the rhythms of your day.
Deuteronomy 6:7 reminds us that discipleship happens all throughout the day—when you sit, walk, rise, and lie down. The very definition of discipleship is the process of learning from our Teacher, Jesus, to become more like Him.
This means it doesn’t happen overnight but through small, faithful steps throughout each day. That’s great news—especially for parents of little ones! Family discipleship doesn’t have to be long or perfect, just consistent and intentional. What’s important is that you try—and as Scripture promises, “His word will not return void.” (Isaiah 55:11)
Step One: Choose a Time That Works for Your Family
There’s no “right” time for family devotionals—just the one that works for your family’s rhythm. Consistency is key, not perfection.
Here are a few easy ideas to try:
-
Bible & Breakfast: Read a short Bible story during breakfast, talk about it together, and follow it up with a craft or one of our printable Bible Mini Books.
-
Snack & Scripture: Use snack time to read a verse aloud and practice memorizing it together.
-
Lunchtime Devotion: Read a short passage or a story from a children’s Bible while they eat.
-
Worship Music Moments: Play worship songs throughout the day—our favorites are from Slugs and Bugs for after-lunch dance parties!
-
Evening Snuggle & Story: End your day reading together—we love The Little Pilgrim’s Progress for preschoolers, or choose from our Free Toddler Discipleship Book List.
Step Two: Keep It Simple and Engaging
For toddlers and preschoolers, engagement is everything! Use hands-on activities, songs, and movement to keep them involved.
At Sweeter than Honey, our curriculum includes plenty of movement and interaction as you explore God’s Word together. For Scripture memorization, we recommend making up songs, using hand motions, and repeating verses often.
For story review, our Bible Mini Book Collection is full of print-and-go worksheets that your little ones can color, retell, and narrate back to you—helping them process and remember what they’ve learned.
Step Three: Pick a Theme or Focus
Choose one big truth or theme each week, such as:
-
Who is Jesus?
-
What is the Bible?
-
We can worship God.
-
What is a Missionary?
A weekly focus helps you stay organized and helps children build understanding through repetition.
Our Big Truths Bundle was created for this exact purpose—ready-to-go devotionals that teach foundational truths about God in ways even toddlers can grasp.
Step Four: Make Prayer and Scripture Part of Your Rhythm
Encourage short, simple prayers throughout the day—thanking God for food, friends, or sunshine. As your preschoolers grow, invite them to pray aloud too!
Prayer builds relationship, not just routine. It reminds children that God cares about their everyday life.
Pair prayer with Scripture memory—Psalm 119:11 says, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” When we help our children memorize verses, we are planting seeds that will one day bear fruit as they grow in faith and understanding.
Step Five: Grace Over Perfection
Some days, devotion time won’t go smoothly—and that’s okay. Toddlers spill snacks, babies cry, and sometimes you’ll read one verse before moving on.
The goal isn’t perfection—it’s presence. Celebrate small wins: a song sung, a question asked, or a prayer spoken. God honors your faithfulness in these little moments.
Remember, consistency over time makes a lasting impact.
Keep It Joyful and Natural
Family devotions are about connection—with God and with each other. You don’t need a perfect plan to start. You just need a few minutes and a willing heart.
Even five minutes of intentional time each day can help your children see that Jesus is part of everything you do.
Ready to start your own simple family devotional routine?
Explore our Collections to make family discipleship easy, engaging, and joyful!