I am looking for a devotional (with scripture references) that our family can use to spark discussion and bring God into our dinner or bedtime conversations. My son is only 2.5 years old but I want to start this practice soon as it would be good for all of us. We have used the Today devotional but I'd love to hear other ideas as well.
Thanks for your ideas!
Hi there! Thanks for this question.
A great resource for your son at this age are the God Loves Me storybooks from Faith Alive. Each book retells a Bible story in simple language that young children can understand, and includes a prayer and suggestions for learning-through-play activities. There are 52 books in the series, and you can purchase them individually or as a set.
When your son is just a bit older, check out God's Big Story Cards and Teach Us to Pray: Scripture-Centered Family Worship Through the Year--both are wonderful!
Thank you, Sandy! I think these are a good investment and I happen to know where the bookstore is ;)
We love Teach Us to Pray... simple, interactive and worshipful.
Thanks Joel! I wasn't sure if my son was too young but even if he is, he will get older :) I LOVE the format of how this is organized. Added to Amazon cart :)
When my children were young, we used Making Time for God: A Devotional for Children and Families to Share by Susan Garrett and Amy Plantinga Pauw. I’d recommend it!
Thanks Shannon! Love hearing what people have actually used and recommend. Adding to cart!
We read He Reads Truth/She Reads Truth, and they've recently added a Kids Read Truth. Same study, often segmented based on the demographic. We've really enjoyed going through these as husband/wife for the last several years. You can do online, but their prints are well-designed, too.
Thanks Bryan! I've heard of She Reads Truth but didn't know about the other options as well. Gonna check out!
These aren't devotionals but our kids (and we as parents, too) have appreciated these over the years:
:: Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones and Jago (highly recommended)
:: Read with Me Bible illustrated by Dennis Jones (uses NIrV text)
:: See with Me Bible: The Bible Told in Pictures illustrated by Dennis Jones
When our children were preschoolers we loved using Little Visits for Toddlers by Mary Manz Simon. And I'm hearing great things about Snuggle Time Prayers and Snuggle Time Psalms by Glenys Nellist.
PS This fall Faith Formation Ministries will be launching a Family Faith Formation toolkit to support ministry leaders as they encourage and equip families to nurture faith both in community and at home. The toolkit include dozens of suggestions for excellent resources (including devotional books for each age level) for families to use at home. We're excited about this kit and can't wait to share it!
Thank you, Karen! Just ordered the Snuggle Time Prayers :) Thanks also for the heads up on FFM's new toolkit coming this fall. Timely and helpful!
Thanks Stanley & Monica! We have the Jesus Storybook Bible but not the others. Thank you for the good recommendations.
I've heard great things about this one, just published this summer - The Family Bible Devotional: Stories from the Bible to Help Kids and Parents Engage and Love Scripture by Sarah Wells.
Extremely late on the reply, Adele, but I'm just checking out Sarah Wells book The Family Bible Devotional. I really like the format of the devotional (short scripture readings, background info, and discussion). Simple and engaging! Curious, did you end up buying? Wondering what ages this might suit best.
starting with some for older kids,
Sheila Walsh: The Bible is my Best Friend Family Devotional
Anne Elizabeth Stickney: the Loving Arms of God
Sally Lloyd Jones : Thoughts to Make your Heart Sing
and the Jesus Storybook Bible
Chrystal Bowman; My Mama and Me (for the very young)
Super helpful list Elizabeth! We have the Jesus Storybook Bible but none of the others. Had not heard of the book 'My Mama and Me' but think I may end up buying it for my two little ones. Thanks for sharing!
I have used These Days, from Presbyterian group for several yrs . It is useful--get some diff ideas..
Hi Chester! Thanks for the suggestion. Would you happen to have a link? I'd be interested in checking this out. Thanks again.