Back to series
The Bible teaches us to learn Scripture, meditate on it, pray, fast, and always be renewing our minds.
As discussed by numerous church fathers and mothers over the centuries, spiritual disciplines can help us grow in our understanding of our faith and be better equipped to obey God’s teachings. The following resources are designed to help equip parents and children to make these disciplines part of daily life. We recommend following the Seven Step Plan to help you understand spiritual disciplines and develop these disciplines in your children.
Habits of a Child’s Heart: Raising Your Kids with the Spiritual Disciplines (Experiencing God) - Valerie E. Hess
This book is inspired by Richard Foster’s classic, Celebration of Discipline, but is designed for parents to use in teaching their children. The author provides helpful hints on how to teach the disciplines to children in three age groups: early childhood (4–7), middle childhood (8–11), and adolescence (12–15). The book describes each of twelve disciplines, how to practice them, and how to teach them using age-appropriate ideas and exercises. Disciplines addressed are meditation, prayer, fasting, study, simplicity, solitude, submission, service, confession, worship, guidance, and celebration.
Spiritual Disciplines for Children: A Guide to a Deeper Spiritual Life for You and Your Children - Vernie Schorr Love
Also inspired by Richard Foster’s classic, Celebration of Discipline, this book is designed for adults to shepherd their children to an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. By encouraging the “formation of spirit, character and mind towards Christ,” a child will begin the walk on the path toward spiritual maturity. The author helps parents and children understand the tools of spiritual disciplines and their practical uses, with suggested activities for each discipline. As with the above book, the disciplines addressed are meditation, prayer, fasting, study, simplicity, solitude, submission, service, confession, worship, guidance, and celebration.
Hide ‘Em in Your Heart - Steve Green (preschool and early elementary)
To help your children memorize Bible verses, these CDs are excellent. Children sing along with musical artist Steve Green, who first introduces each verse, then sings the verses set to catchy music. Excellent for car rides or listening at home.
Seeds Family Worship CDs (older elementary through middle school)
Seeds Family Worship CDs are another great way to help your children learn and memorize Bible verses. The CDs set Bible verses to catchy music which children (and parents) can sing along to. Titles include Seeds of Courage, Seeds of Faith, Seeds of Character, and many more.
• Surveys show that a very small percentage of believers practice any spiritual disciplines other than prayer
and reading the Bible. How has your family discussed the other disciplines in the past?
• What concerns do you have about beginning to practice the other disciplines as described in either Habits of
a Child’s Heart or Spiritual Disciplines for Children?
• Are there small steps that your family could take soon to begin implementing one or more new disciplines in
an age-appropriate manner?
• How would you describe each practice to your child? How can you make it clear that these are not
legalistic rules or “works” that are required for salvation?
• How would you describe the benefits of these practices to your children?
COPYRIGHT: This publication is published by C.S. Lewis Institute; 8001 Braddock Road, Suite 301; Springfield, VA 22151. Portions of the publication may be reproduced for noncommercial, local church or ministry use without prior permission. Electronic copies of the PDF files may be duplicated and transmitted via e-mail for personal and church use. Articles may not be modified without prior written permission of the Institute. For questions, contact the Institute: 703.914.5602 or email us.
-
Recent Podcasts
The Side B Stories – Adam Terry’s Story
by Adam Terry, Jana Harmon on April 26, 2024Adam Terry experienced an intellectual crisis of faith....Read More
-
A Welcome Change in Apologetics
by Randy Newman, Aimee Riegert on April 19, 2024
-
Questions That Matter Podcast – Samuel James and Digital Liturgies
by Samuel James, Randy Newman on April 19, 2024
-
Recent Publications
Isn’t Morality Relative?
by Christopher L. Reese on April 1, 2024It is widely accepted in the Western world...Read More
-
Do Muslims and Christians Worship the Same God?
by Andy Bannister on March 1, 2024
-
Artificial Intelligence and Its Impacts on Humanity
by John Lennox on February 13, 2024
0
All Booked
0.00
All Booked
0.00
All Booked
22140
GLOBAL EVENT: Keeping the Faith From One Generation To Another with Stuart McAllister and Cameron McAllister, 8:00PM ET
https://www.cslewisinstitute.org/?event=global-event-keeping-the-faith-from-one-generation-to-another-with-stuart-mcallister-and-cameron-mcallister-800pm-et&event_date=2024-05-17®=1
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr
2024-05-17
Next coming event
Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds
GLOBAL EVENT: Keeping the Faith From One Generation To Another with Stuart McAllister and Cameron McAllister, 8:00PM ET
On May 17, 2024 at 8:00 pmCategories
Speakers
C.S. Lewis Institute
Author