Family Ministry
Family Devotion Resources
Bibles
The foundation of any devotion must be the Word of God. Everything else is supplementary and serves to help us interpret, understand, and apply the Word of God. Without first being transformed by God and His Word, you cannot expect to lead a devotion with any impact. You must start here.
The Holy Bible
Bible Translations
There are several Bible translations out there. Here are three of the main translations used in America.
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This is NCF’s official Bible translation that we use during service if not otherwise noted. The ESV is an “essentially literal” translation, which means that the translation choices are governed by the aim to provide not only the correct word choices, but also word order and even the personal style of each Bible writer. This can lead to some awkward phrasing for modern English listeners, but the benefit is that more of the original text comes through.
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The NIV is the second most read Bible translation in America. The initial vision was to make the Bible more accessible than the King James Version (the most read Bible translation in America). It is a translation from the original languages, but aims to provide a translation that is accessible to modern Bible readers. The NIV undergoes periodic updates to reflect the modern biblical scholarship and English usage at the time of the update.
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The KJV has been around since 1611, when the official commission of King James I of England to translate the Bible into English was completed. It is still today the most widely read version of the Bible in America. Though it is so widely used, it does not come without its own set of issues that need to be considered. First, the old English shows its age in modern times over 400 years later. Many words are archaic and are out of use today, and even the grammar has changed since then, making it overly difficult to understand the meaning of the text to modern readers. Secondly, and more importantly, there have been ground-breaking (no pun intended) archaeological discoveries in the past 100 years that have unearthed ancient documents older than the documents available at the time of the KJV translation. As such, the modern translations have access to more information about the original texts than the KJV, therefore are more accurate to the original text. For this reason, the translation is not recommended to be used for devotional purposes.
Study Bible
A good study Bible is helpful and convenient as a study tool, as you have access to additional information at the bottom of the pages as you read through the Bible. These are much thicker and heavier, therefore are not recommended as the Bible you take to church or as your travel Bible. However, if you want to gain a deeper understanding of the Bible, a good study Bible is a good place to start.
ESV Study Bible
There are many forms of the ESV Study Bible with different sizes, covers, and prints. However, the content is the same regardless of the form you ultimately choose. If you have yet to purchase one, it is highly recommended to purchase a copy.
Apps
In addition to print editions, we now have available to us the Word of God in digital form accessible from any smart device. Digital forms are more convenient in that they travel with us wherever we go, and provide tools to help enhance our studies, such as search functions, included reading plans, and even audio to listen.
YouVersion Bible App (Android | iOS)
Gain access to over 2400 Bible versions in over 1600 languages, including audio versions. You can highlight, bookmark, make digital notes, and even make verse images to share. You can find a reading plan that fits your needs and track your progress. Most of the content is free, with a premium option for added functionality.
Websites
The Bible is also available online. There are whole websites dedicated to storing the Word of God in all of its translations in every language imaginable, including the original languages. These websites are great tools for word studies, finding the references to passages, and for cross referencing, as well as any other study you choose to conduct.
https://www.bible.com This is the web version of the YouVersion Bible app.
https://www.biblegateway.com If you do a online search, most likely this website will be at or near the top of your results. Good resource for searching for a reference, doing word studies, and comparing different translations for a better understanding. You will also find reading plans here. They do have their own app for convenience.
https://biblehub.com Another great resource to study the Bible. This website is particularly good with studying the original languages.
Picture Bibles and Graphic Novel Bibles
The goal is to have our children read the actual Bible. However, sometimes the best path towards that goal is to take smaller steps. There is a wealth of great picture Bibles for the youngest of children and even graphic novel Bibles for those who are older.
The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones
This was recommended in the Getting Started: Family Devotion Resources for good reason. The author writes 44 Bible stories with an explicit emphasis on how Christ is the center of each story. Going through this will help build a strong foundation as your child grows.
Power Bible Set (10 Books)
The Power Bible set is a bit of investment ($100+ for the entire set) compared to the others, but an investment well worth it. There are over 2,000 pages in this 10 volume set. The writers use as much of the actual Bible verses as possible (based on New American Standard Bible). Children will love the anime-style illustrations, and will learn the Bible characters and stories in an enjoyable way.
The Biggest Story Bible Storybook by Kevin DeYoung
Another one recommended in the “Getting Started: Family Devotion Resources”. This has more than double the amount of Biblical stories (104 to be exact) and has its own unique vibrant illustrations. This can be read to younger children until they are old enough to read it on their own.
The Action Bible
The Action Bible is illustrated by Marvel and DC illustrator, Sergio Cariello. This is more appropriate for pre-teen to teenagers as the illustrations are more mature compared to the anime-style of the Power Bible. If you are looking for something to help your teenage child interested in the Bible, the Action Bible may be the way to go.
Devotionals
Devotionals are a great resource in that you will find pre-written thoughts, questions, and explanations of the Bible passage or verse. Even some will include activities to help solidify the lesson into our minds and lives. There are a myriad of devotionals out there attempting to address every situation imaginable. The truth of the matter is that every family is unique. It is up to you to find the devotional that best suits your family, and adapt it as needed to apply to your unique situation.
Daily Devotionals
Daily devotionals are intended to be read on a daily basis. Many of these will include 365 devotionals to be read daily over the course of a year. If you cannot read every single day, then read it over two, three, or seven years. One thing to consider if it takes longer than a year to finish is that some of these are aimed at a certain age range, and so your children may outgrow the devotionals aimed at a younger audience.
The One Year Devotions Series
The One Year is a Tyndale Publishing branded product line that focuses on reading through the Bible in one year. This product line has many devotions aimed at children, youth, and families. (Tyndale One Year Devotions) There are samples on the Tyndale
The One Year Devotions for Preschoolers by Crystal Bowman
Perfect for families with younger children ages 3-6. There are 365 devotions to help build the discipline and habit of reading the Bible every single day. Each devotion includes a short lesson, a Bible verse, and a prayer.
The One Year Devotions for Kids by Children’s Bible Hour
There are three volumes in this series aimed at children 7-12 years old. Each day’s lesson focuses on a key theme from a Bible story, application questions, and a memory verse.
The One Year Classic Family Devotions by Keys for Kids
This devotion is for families with younger children (no age range given) and includes a lesson, a verse, and discussion questions. There is a suggested activity to do as a family every 7 devotions.
One Year of Dinner Table Devotions and Discussion Starters by Nancy Guthrie
This devotion is specifically geared towards encouraging discussion with your children. Younger children can certainly participate, but probably better suited for elementary kids and older.
Other The One Year Devotions (Tyndale One Year Devotions):
The One Year Devotions for Boys
The One Year Devotions for Girls
The One Year Devos for Animal Lovers
The One Year Devotions for Active Boys
The One Year Fun & Active Devotions for Kids
The One Year Devos for Teen Girls
Exploring the Bible Together by David Murray
Exploring the Bible Together is another recommendation in the Getting Started: Family Devotion Resources. This devotional is a 52-week family worship plan which can accommodate a wide range of ages for families with children 6-12 and even older depending on the child. Each day includes a Bible passage, questions, a theological statement, and a prayer. Sundays are left to discuss the Sunday sermon from church.
The Purpose Driven Life Devotional for Kids by Rick Warren
Written by the lead pastor of Saddleback and author of the bestselling book “The Purpose Driven Life”, Rick Warren wrote this devotional for kids. There are 365 devotions organized according to his principles laid out in his bestselling book.
The Songs of Jesus by Timothy Keller with Kathy Keller
Written by NYC pastor Timothy Keller with his wife Kathy Keller, The Songs of Jesus is a year of devotions that goes through the Psalms. This is a proper devotional for adults, but could be adapted to be used with your teenagers. Every day Timothy Keller takes you through a passage of Psalms, a lesson, and a prayer.
Other Devotionals
Based on the situation and natural rhythms of your family, a daily devotional may not be the best resource to use. Here in this section are devotions that are not structured around 365 days of the year.
Leading Little Ones to God by Marian M. Schoolland
This is a devotional organized into theological categories. By the time you finish the 86 lessons your children should have a great grasp of who God is, what he has done for us, and how we fit into the picture. I really enjoyed how each lesson includes a teaching, discussion questions, a Bible passage to read, a hymn to sing, and a prayer. This is one of the older ones on this list, so lacks the modern look for kids, but the content is solid. I recommend this to families who have already gone through a storybook Bible with their children and want to teach their children some theology.
Family Worship Bible Guide: A Devotional for Families of All Ages with Reflections on Every Chapter of the Bible by Joel Beeke
As the title suggests, this devotional is for families and has devotional thoughts for every single chapter of the Bible. Great for supplementing your Bible reading plan with your children, and is flexible enough to adapt to the particular rhythms of your family.
The Ology by Marty Machowski
This is another devotional organized into theological categories. The illustrations help engage the younger ones, but the concepts are deep enough for the older ones to ponder on. There are 71 lessons each with multiple Scripture references to look up. This will encourage your children to go to the Bible to find answers.
Wonderful by Marty Machowski
Here is another Marty Machowski devotional illustrated in the same vein as The Ology. This devotional goes through the book of Psalms and helps to connect the poetic language of the Psalms to everyday life in a way we can understand.
Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing by Sally Lloyd-Jones
Written by the author of the Jesus Storybook Bible, Sally Lloyd-Jones offers 101 theological thoughts in a way that is tangible and easily understood for kids of all ages.
How Great Is Our God by Louie Giglio
The author writes 100 devotions with the focus of reconciling science, that is observing the world around us, and God. He begins with a verse, then connects it to the natural world, and finally concludes with how awesome, or great, God is that created this natural world.
Doodle Through the Bible for Kids by Jonny Hawkins
This book is something different for you to consider if you have young ones that like to color and draw. Doodle Through the Bible for Kids offers 140 pages (70 scenes) for children to complete the picture. Each scene has a Bible passage, prompts to draw something related to the passage. Very simple, but sometimes we need simple in our lives.
The Gospel Changes Everything by Tiny Theologians
Tiny Theologians focuses on presenting theologically-rich Bible studies for Christians kids of all ages. This packages includes 30 gospel devotionals on separate cards with a verse, a lesson, discussion questions and a prayer. Tiny Theologians products tend to be pricier, but it is hard to find anything this theologically rich aimed at young children.
Catechisms
Catechisms were created as a tool for parents to teach their children the distinctives of the Christian faith. It is an age old method that worked 400 years ago, and continues to be instrumental in helping kids memorize the core Christian doctrines today.
Westminster Shorter Catechism
Written in 1646 and 1647 by the Westminster Assembly, do not let this seemingly outdated format blind you from seeing the benefits of this format. There are modernized versions rewritten in modern English to help add in receiving the information. You can find free versions on the Internet.Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Timothy Keller adapted Calvin’s Geneva Catechism, the Westminster Shorter and Larger Catechism, and the Heidelberg Catechism into a more modern-day resource that utilizes the same question-answer format. The New City Catechism includes 52 questions and answers going over the core doctrines of the Christian faith. If you go to their website (linked above) you can find links to their app, and even curriculum to help teach it to your kids.
First Catechism: Teaching Children Bible Truths (GCP)
This is a simplified version of the Westminster Shorter Catechism. It can be seen as a stepping stone of sorts to the Westminster Shorter Catechism or the New City Catechism. First Catechism includes simple questions with simple answers about profound truths.
Additional Resources
Articles
Here are a handful of online articles to reinforce why and how to have family devotions from various sources.
Podcasts
Here is a list of podcasts and YouTube channels and selected episodes to listen to or watch during your commute, while you do your chores, or your next down time.
Focus on the Family Broadcast (Podcast | YouTube)
“Focus on the Family is a Christian ministry dedicated to helping families thrive.We provide help and resources for couples to build healthy marriages that reflect God’s design, and for parents to raise their children according to morals and values grounded in biblical principles.”
Help Me Teach the Bible (Podcast)
The host, Nancy Guthrie, invites a host each episode to have an in-depth discussion of books of the Bible. This is a great listen before you begin reading or teaching a book of the Bible.
Books
There is no getting around the need to study yourself. If you want to teach, you need to learn. The first place needs to be the Word of God. However, it is helpful to have supplementary material to bolster our understanding. Here are a couple of books that will deepen your understanding of the Bible.
How to Read the Bible Book by Book by Gordon Fee
This is a great resource to have. Gordon spends about 5-10 pages per book providing the context, an overview, what to watch for as you read it, and key ideas.
Ryken’s Bible handbook by Leland Ryken and Philip Ryken
If you find Fee’s book a little too elementary, this book provides more detail and depth in their analysis of the books of the Bible. This book runs about 50% longer than the Fee book. One of the main additions to this book over the Fee book is how it ties in the key themes of the book into the “Bible’s Story of Salvation in Christ.” One problem is that the book is out of print, making it difficult to procure at a reasonable price.
Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp
Raising our children up in the ways of the Lord requires more than studying theology (not less than). We must understand how to apply the gospel to their lives in such a way that the seeds of the gospel take root in their hearts. On top of stimulating their minds with the theological truths, we need to speak to their hearts. The following book is a top recommendation for all parents to understand the gospel foundations of biblical child rearing and discipling.