5 Steps to Start a Family Devotion Routine

If you've tried to start family devotions and given up after a few days, you aren’t alone!

Busy schedules, wiggly kids, and unrealistic expectations can make it feel impossible to keep going. But starting a simple, sustainable family devotion routine is one of the most meaningful things you can do for your family's faith.

Why Family Devotions Matter

At St. Mark Ministries and St. Mark Lutheran School, we believe parents are the number one influence on their children's faith lives. Proverbs 22:6 teaches: “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it”, and Ephesians 6:4 reminds us: “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”

Building up parents to be disciple-making disciples is the best way to train the next generation of Jesus-followers. We want to see families become spiritually strong, so that kids grow up to see home as the place where faith grows, and church as the place that supports and equips them and offers community and connection.

As the psalmist writes in Psalm 78:4: “We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.”

In this vein, family devotions can be a wonderful tool for teaching your children and opening conversations about faith. And family devotion time does not have to be long, polished, or perfectly executed to make a difference!

5 Steps to Build a Family Devotion Habit

1. Start Small

Don’t aim for a devotion every day, right away. Instead, start with one or two days a week and build from there. 

The WELS Commission on Discipleship intentionally designed its family devotions to be used three times a week, rather than daily, so families would not feel like they were failing if they missed a day. The goal is a doable rhythm, not a perfect streak.

2. Pick a Routine

Choosing a consistent, realistic time and place makes the habit more likely to stick.

Attach your devotion time to something you already do every day, like during breakfast or as part of your child(ren)’s bedtime routine. If you’re using a physical devotion book or Bible, keep it in a convenient location – such as near the table, if you’re doing devotions near mealtime, or next to a cozy chair, if you’ll read them at bedtime. 

3. Read the Bible Together

Use the Bible and/or choose a devotion book that uses God’s Word. If your children are old enough, encourage them to follow along in their own Bibles. They can even take turns reading aloud, if they’re old enough. 

Let God's Word do the heavy lifting rather than turning devotion time into a lengthy lesson you have to prepare. Many family devotional books feature readings under 10 minutes long.

4. Keep Prayers Simple

Children learn to pray by listening to you pray! Keep your prayers sincere and simple: thank God for his blessings, ask for forgiveness, and ask for his help. You don’t need eloquent words, just honest ones. A prayer to begin and/or close every family devotion session is a perfect opportunity to practice prayer as a family.

5. Give Yourself Grace, and Keep Going

Some nights will fall flat, like when your kids are distracted or uninterested. But that doesn’t mean nothing is happening. The Holy Spirit is working through these small moments. The goal is to be consistent and faithful to God’s truths.

Need More Guidance on Family Devotions?

If you’re seeking more guidance around how to start a family devotion habit, what books to read, or where to begin in the Bible, the staff at St. Mark is here to help you. Families enrolled at St. Mark Lutheran School are encouraged to talk to the school principal. 

You may also visit our online Family Resource Center for devotional recommendations, Bible reading plans, and other tools to help your family grow closer to Jesus together.