There are some important things to consider and prepare for when getting ready to establish for your children a daily habit of Quiet Time (QT).
1) Know your reasons for why you want your children to have daily QT. Explain these reasons to your children. Several reasons were covered in Part 1.
2) You can't teach what you aren't practicing. Hopefully, you already practice your own discipline of daily QT. If not, begin right away. If you have, are your children aware that you have been daily communing with God? I think it's a good idea to share with your kids what your time with God looks like. Help them see that QT is not just for grown-ups.
3) Determine when your children will have their QT. Make it a time that is easy to remain faithful. For us, it is part of everyone's morning routine. The activities of the day don't start until everyone's dressed, teeth brushed, bed made, breakfast eaten, and QT done. We adjust our wake-up time, if need be, in order to ensure the morning routine is completed in its entirety.
We don't ever run out the door saying, "I just didn't have time to get dressed today which is why I'm still wearing my pajamas." Right?! If it's important, we make the time. Since God ordains our day, wouldn't it be important to start our day in relationship with Him?
4) Choose your resources and plan. It should go without saying that God's Word is the primary resource. But children will need direction. What will they read? How will they think and consider what they read? Will a devotional tool be used? What about prayer?
5) Accountability. Come up with a general plan on how you will keep everyone accountable. Most children won't just automatically remember or desire to maintain a daily discipline of QT, especially at first. How can you check up on them and keep them engaged and excited?
Also in this article series:
Part 1: Why a Daily Quiet Time for Kids?
Part 3: Tips & Resources for Daily Quiet Time for Kids. (via video)
1) Know your reasons for why you want your children to have daily QT. Explain these reasons to your children. Several reasons were covered in Part 1.
2) You can't teach what you aren't practicing. Hopefully, you already practice your own discipline of daily QT. If not, begin right away. If you have, are your children aware that you have been daily communing with God? I think it's a good idea to share with your kids what your time with God looks like. Help them see that QT is not just for grown-ups.
3) Determine when your children will have their QT. Make it a time that is easy to remain faithful. For us, it is part of everyone's morning routine. The activities of the day don't start until everyone's dressed, teeth brushed, bed made, breakfast eaten, and QT done. We adjust our wake-up time, if need be, in order to ensure the morning routine is completed in its entirety.
We don't ever run out the door saying, "I just didn't have time to get dressed today which is why I'm still wearing my pajamas." Right?! If it's important, we make the time. Since God ordains our day, wouldn't it be important to start our day in relationship with Him?
4) Choose your resources and plan. It should go without saying that God's Word is the primary resource. But children will need direction. What will they read? How will they think and consider what they read? Will a devotional tool be used? What about prayer?
5) Accountability. Come up with a general plan on how you will keep everyone accountable. Most children won't just automatically remember or desire to maintain a daily discipline of QT, especially at first. How can you check up on them and keep them engaged and excited?
Also in this article series:
Part 1: Why a Daily Quiet Time for Kids?
Part 3: Tips & Resources for Daily Quiet Time for Kids. (via video)
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