I began writing daily devotions a few months ago. Words for parents in the same season of life as our family. Given recent events, I felt a prompting to continue these writings and share them with all of you. I know close proximity can breed contempt and stressful current events can lead to fear. My prayer is these posts will allow us to pause and refocus on the One who has us in His mighty hand. 

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

As a child of the 80s, I grew up in the land of flannelgraph boards on Sunday mornings. Our teachers moved a little flannel cut out of Jesus around the board, telling vivid stories and pouring into our little hearts. Another point of focus was memorizing books of the Bible and key verses, many I still know because of the work of my second grade Sunday school teacher. 

As a mom, I have done my best to influence my kids with scripture. I’ll be the first to admit I struggle trying to impress these words on their heads and, more importantly, their hearts. My kids aren’t much for rote memorization. Perhaps yours aren’t, either. Which begs the question, how exactly do we weave and work scripture into our homes in a way that will leave a lasting impression on their moldable little souls?

I’ve seen a variety of methods over the last decade. Friends use index cards covered in scripture and tape them to their child’s bathroom mirror. Some families have beautiful verses written in script adorning the walls of their homes while others moms sport t-shirts with their favorite verses. From jewelry to wall hangings and everything in between, we can work the word of God into our home and the hearts of those occupying the space within.

We have a felt letter board above our stove. We’re able to easily change out the letters and pop a new verse in whenever we wish. You can guarantee someone in the house has been misbehaving when you see “Honor your father and mother” is the verse of the day. For the tenth day in a row. Truthfully, with four kids, I’m surprised we ever have any other verse displayed!

At the start of the new year, we tried to implement a verse of the week by reciting it during breakfast each morning. Again, with several kids, the results were mixed but we will keep trying. My hope is they know at least one verse other than “Honor your father and mother” by the time summer begins.

We are called to talk about His word when we are walking along the road and when we lie down and get up. What a good reminder we can share His words with our kids all the time. We can express our thankfulness for a full fridge when prepping breakfast or our gratitude for His beautiful creation when walking in our neighborhood. Even irritations like long lines at the grocery or being cut off in traffic can lead to conversations about how we are to respond to irritation when we’re rooted in Christ. Every-day aspects are rich fuel for great conversations with our kids.

How do you share scripture with your children? Do you have a daily routine or do you take a more organic approach to sharing God’s word with your family? What has worked well and what have you scrapped in the process?

Challenge- Find one new way to tangibly display scripture in your home. Whether a piece of art or written verses on paper, hang a favorite scripture in a common space in your home this week. If you’re not sure where to begin, consider Proverbs 3:5, Romans 8:28 or Jeremiah 17:7.  

Lord, we ask for your help as we nurture a love for your word in the hearts of our children. Help us know how to touch their hearts with scripture they can carry for a lifetime. May our love for You be evident to our family in the way we speak, act and live.