Trying to find devotionals that are gospel-centered for your personal use is hard enough. Then trying to find the best family devotional books that are gospel-centered, simple enough for everyone to understand, and deep enough that they are not shallow is just about an impossible task!
The good news is that they are out there. You may have to dig just a little bit, but these powerful family devotions will fit the bill of what you are looking for as you press into Christ and lead your family well.
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Why are Family Devotions Important?
Say you received a million dollars. These million dollars would save you from financial ruin and be completely free, with no strings attached. Would you hide that gift from your family?
It’s not enough to just tell your family about the loving gift of Jesus Christ. Just like those million dollars would need to be cared for with investments, banks, and good budgeting skills; your relationship with Christ needs to be invested in.
It is a free gift, but that does not mean we can scoff at it and live our own life as we please.
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Why is family devotion important? Because your children need to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ again and again. You are not just investing in their future; you are investing in their eternity.
How to Make Time for Family Devotionals
Family devotions do not have to be tricky. They can be elaborate and reflective of almost a church worship service setting, or they can be simple and quick. They are something that the whole family can enjoy, but don’t be afraid to try them when dad is at work, or mom is sleeping in! Keep consistency going!
We make time for our priorities. If you say that you have a relationship with Christ, but do not make Him a priority, do you really have a relationship with your Savior? Or do you have an acquaintance with the one who bought you with His own blood?
Here are a few easy ways to make time for family devotions.
- Get an audiobook version of a devotional and listen on the way to school or activities.
- Before mealtimes, read a portion of scripture and talk about it.
- Set aside time before family movie nights to have your devotional time.
- On busy weeks, print a family devotional for each member of the family to take with them. Discuss it at your net mealtime.
How do I Start Family Devotionals?
The best way to start your family devotionals is to START! Don’t delay. These times can be some of the most meaningful times that your family will ever get on this side of eternity.
Currently, I have three young boys and we do family devotionals in the car together on the way to school, work, and activities.
This means that we don’t get them in every day, but we do get them in often. They are simple 30-60 second audio devotionals. There is one for grown-ups and one for kids. The entire routine takes no longer than 5 minutes, but my wiggly children are contained in their car seats, and we can have a brief discussion about topics that, I pray, will someday draw their hearts toward Christ.
I tried doing these family devotions at the breakfast table, and let me tell you, what a joke. It was a mess! Sometimes before I would even sit down with my own breakfast and Bible, one of the boys would be done with their breakfast and would be off to topple over another block tower!
The point? No one’s family devotion time is going to look the same. Be flexible and learn what works for your family.
I love this article on the Gospel Coalition website on family devotionals. The author explains the significance of family devotionals in a very relatable way.
How do you Conduct a Family Devotional?
Three simple things need to go into family devotion time:
- Prayer
- Scripture
- Discussion
Some of the best family devotional books can be useful tools, but they are not a requirement for a good family devotion routine. Family devotional books are a great way to have family devotions, but they are not the only way.
Conduct your family devotional time in a way that suits your family but also incorporates prayer and scripture. After all, you are trying to get to know your savior more with your family. Make sure you are hearing from His Word and going to Him in prayer.
Healing Home also has a devotional resource for young moms called “Cultivating a Healing Home.” The devotional is meant to encourage young moms in their walk with Christ through the craziness of having young babies and toddlers. You can also find it on Amazon.
10 of the Best Family Devotional Books
By no means is this an exclusive list of the best family devotional books. This is a starting point to catapult your family into a routine that can be sustained throughout their childhood. The most important thing to do is just start! These are resources, not meant to replace scripture reading and prayer, but guides that will be helpful as you continue or start your family devotions.
Also helpful during family devotional times is having a good children’s Bible. There are many available. We have several favorite storybook bibles and children’s Bibles that we use during our family devotional time.
Let’s get going on some of the best family devotional books that I have found!
Family Devotionals for Toddlers
It’s hard to find good family devotionals to do with toddlers. They are so active and truly don’t comprehend much. However, I want to encourage you to still try. They are soaking in the Word of God and your consistency and routine will pay off in time. Here are two books that I have used with our toddlers!
The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones
This Bible is my top Bible to give to any new baby or child. It is filled with beautiful illustrations and Bible stories. More importantly, each Bible story directs the child’s attention to Jesus. Woven in a way that any child can understand. Reading these stories with your little one is a powerful way to bring family devotions into your routine.
This is more of a family Bible devotional, so you will need to add discussion to what you read. Another great Bible devotional for families is the Laugh & Grow Bible. I love the discussion questions at the end of each Bible story. They are well-thought-out and great for the entire family. Find more about our favorite storybook Bibles here.
BONUS! The New City Catechism for Kids by the Gospel Coalition
The New City Catechism is a 64-page book that teaches children core doctrines through 52 common questions from children. The reason why I mention this in the ‘toddler’ section is because they are extremely short (like really!) and they are also just a great way to start short discussions about key Biblical truths without engaging in a lot of time. Great for busy families!
Family Devotionals for Preschool and Early Elementary
These family devotional books are typically around 5 minutes at the most (with many of them shorter) and are lighter in deep theology and more focused on timeless gospel truths. They are great for dinner conversation or even breakfast (that’s what we do!).
What Every Child Should Know About Prayer by Nancy Guthrie
Although this is formatted as a picture book, it can easily be used as family devotions. Nancy explains in easy-to-understand language what prayer is, why we should pray, and things to pray about. A terrific way to introduce your little one to the power of prayer.
The Big Picture Family Devotional by David R. Helm
This devotional is an accompanying piece to the Big Picture Story Bible. The devotional’s intention is to help parents get started with family devotionals. Each chapter highlights a question and then provides Biblical guidance on understanding the answer to the question. Formatted in a way that is easy for parents to implement, this is a great starting point for your family devotions!
Finding Jesus on the Upside Down Days by Jill A Miller
This is the devotional book that we are starting in 2024. It was released in 2023 by New Growth Press (we love and trust this publishing company!) and I’ve had my eye on it for quite a while. We are a few devotionals into it and I honestly do enjoy it. The theology is quite honestly basic and at times a bit shallow, but I still give it my whole heart stamp of approval. The author relates barnyard antics to simple Bible truths and right now that is exactly what my family needs! You will get a true story and real life in each day’s devotional as well as a scripture verse to meditate on. Young children will certainly love this adorable look at the barnyard and a consistent reminder of God’s love.
One Year of Dinner Table Devotions and Discussion Starters by Nancy Guthrie
This devotional is ideal for dinnertime conversations! They are designed to take 10-15 minutes and family members can take turns leading the devotionals for the day. These 365 ten-minute devotions will take you through an entire year of family devotional time! The whole family will grow closer to God and each other!
Family Devotionals for Elementary to Early High School
These devotionals are designed for adults and older children to enjoy. They will have longer devotional chapters and are intended to be more theologically rich.
Exploring Grace Together: 40 Devotionals for the Family by Jessica Thompson
Talk about hitting you where it hurts! Listen to this quote from this book summary: “Children need more than behavior modification. They need the gospel.”Can I hear an amen? The devotional’s aim is to teach children to value and love Jesus more than anything else.
Foundations: 12 Biblical Truths to Shape and Family by Ruth Chou Simons
I am ashamed to admit, that before writing this piece, I had never heard of this author. I spent quite a bit of time browsing her website and books. Her hand-drawn artwork is nothing short of a gift from God. She beautifully illustrated Foundations and brings 12 truths for raising godly kids.
You want your children to become Christ followers, obedient to His commands, and fruitful in their faith, but where do you begin? Though there isn’t a formula or prescription for raising godly kids, what you desire for your family begins with heeding God’s instructions to remember and declare His faithful works to the next generation.
Foundations
How Great Is Our God: 100 Indescribable Devotions About God and Science by Louie Giglio
Truth be told, my son is the one who found this book. He is only three, but this book has awed him. These devotionals are short and are aimed at showing kids the connection between the natural world and the God who created it.
Middle and High School
These are for older kids and adults to enjoy and are longer and more theologically rich. They will provide thought-provoking questions and answers from a Biblical perspective.
Seeing the Savior A Devotional Introduction to Biblical Theology by J. Aaron White
If you have never heard ‘devotional,’ ‘introduction’, and ‘Biblical theology’ listed in the same subtitle, there is a good reason why! Those terms rarely are seen together because they are almost an oxymoron. Devotionals are usually intended to be short and sweet. Biblical theology is typically deep, rich, and complicated.
Yet, why don’t we see those words together more often? As your child becomes older, they do not need the sweet honey of shallow Gospel truths. They need the overwhelming waterfalls of Gospel declarations!
This little book is short but filled with easy-to-understand Biblical theology that will draw your teen toward a deeper understanding of the God that created them.
From Genesis to Revelation, the witness of Scripture testifies to the grace of God that would be made known in his Son. May you plunge to greater depths of joy as you dive into all of God’s Word.
Seeing the Savior
Daily Light Devotional by Anne Graham Lotz
This devotional uses NKJV readings every morning plus a scripture reading for every night as well. The devotionals are short but very impactful.
Other Family Devotional Resources
Here are a few other favorite family devotionals and resources:
Kinda Dangerous Family Devotions
Minno Kids – This is an alternative to other streaming services and it’s GREAT for kids.
One-Year Bible Reading Plan!
Want to dive deeper into your faith this year? Increase your relationship with Jesus? Understand the Bible more? Then the one-year Bible reading plan is for you! We will work our way chronologically through the Bible starting in January and finishing in December.
Don’t worry! You don’t have to start in January, you can start at any point of the year!
As your children grow, adding family prayer cards to your family devotional time can be a powerful way to see how God has been working through and in your family unit.
Use this completely free template to print and use again and again.
Download the printable PDF here.
What best family devotional books have you found? Did I forget one on this list that you expected to see, or think I should add?
I would love to continue the conversation with you on prayerfully raising a godly family. Catch me over on Instagram for daily encouragement from my Healing Home.
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