Family Fellowship
Strategies For A Consistent Family Bible Time
1. Family worship time is non-negotiable. God does not give us an option. You won't find the time, so you must make the time.
2. Choose to make it a habit and you'll choose the results of the that habit. We always have a choice. Choose to place everything else around to have this family time with the Lord.
3. Schedule, schedule, schedule. Most people don’t plan to fail, they fail to plan. If you do not schedule it in, then it will not happen.
4. Give each person in your family a responsibility in preparation for your time together (bring a song, get the Bibles out, gather pencils for worksheets, etc.).
The more responsibility that is shared between family members, the more accountability it will bring to the meeting.
5. Prepare for "emergencies.". When surprises happen, welcome the times when you get to do Bible in unusual places.
6. Be enthusiastic. Enthusiasm is caught, not taught. Show a cheerful countenance for this endeavor. Make it "Get To", instead of, "Got To."
7. Seek God’s strength for endurance. Satan does not want you to do this. Be prepared for a battle. Pray to the Lord to make you strong and of good courage.
8. Spend time alone with God. The more time you spend with God, the more you will want to know Him. Time with the LORD will increase your interest to meet with others in the Lord.
9. Find a Bible program that is orderly.
A Bible-in-a-year schedule gives you the whole Bible from start to finish by scheduling your “daily bread” in an orderly sequence for each day. This breeds accountability as you keep to the schedule.
10. Keep family prayer journals/notes/review sheets of what has been learned.
Keeping track of prayer petitions and answers is a good way to see how God has shown Himself. Taking notes or doing worksheets helps you remember what learning has taken place during each meeting. The keeping of journals/notes/worksheets will bear witness to how consistent you have been. Praise God!
2 Reasons why main Bible time should not be during the homeschool day:
1. Dad is not there
2. You will skip it when special days occur: vacations, holidays, illnesses, etc.
Bible Devotionals vs Bible Studies
“You can’t be a Daily Bread Christian”
Devotion Benefits: Quick Insights, Illustrates Scriptural truth with application
Devotion Low Points: Easy to forget, Jumps around a lot, Not much context
"What you emphasize is more important then what you teach.
Your children will remember what lengths you went to,
more than what you accomplished in leading them in Bible time. "
Bible-in-a-Year Program Info
Testimonials
"It is of immense importance for the understanding of the Word of God, to read the Bible systematically, so that every day one reads a portion of the Old and a portion of the New Testament systematically." - George Müller
George Müller, the geat evangelist and coordinator of orphanages said this about reading both the Old and New Testaments concurrently:
First, this method is important because it throws light upon the connection between the Old and New Testaments. A different method, where one habitually selects favorite chapters, will make it utterly impossible ever to understand much of the Scriptures.
Second, while we are in the body, we need a change, even in spiritual things; and this change the Lord has graciously provided in the great variety that is to be found in His Word.
Third, an orderly reading of the Word honors the glory of God. The leaving out of some chapters here and there is practically saying that certain portions are better than others, or that there are certain parts of revealed truth that are unprofitable or unnecessary.
Fourth, it may keep us, by the blessing of God, from erroneous views, since in reading regularly through the Scriptures, we are led to see the meaning of the whole. We are also kept from placing too much stress upon certain favorite views.
Fifth, the Scriptures contain the whole revealed will of God; therefore, we ought to seek to read from time to time through the whole of that revealed will. I fear that many believers in our day have not read even once through the whole of the Scriptures; yet in a year, by reading about 3 chapters everyday, one can achieve it.
" Using the Daily Bible Lessons program helps me to retain what I have just read by asking pertinent questions. You stop and think about what God has written. I like the fact that this program keeps me accountable and disciplined in helping me keep up with my readings. I look forward to checking the answer key afterwards, it's a fun way to learn the Bible. Other Bible programs don't have a comprehensive question and answer key, so you are not really sure what you've retained during your readings. This program is easy to use and arrives on schedule in my computer and reminds me of next months reading."
"I have been very blessed by the Daily Lessons that have been so graciously provided. It is evident that the Lord has a plan with you and this venture. It has been a wonderful tool for our family and the children maintain interest with the lessons, knowing that they will have a short quiz at the end. As we read through our loving God's Word the children desire to pay attention and remain engaged and attentive. They have the answers during review and questioning and retain the information. Thank you. Your brother in Christ.
“I like listening to daddy read.” –Amy, age 3
“My favorite part of family Bible time is doing the quiz. It helps me remember what I heard.” -Macy, age 10
“I like it. Sometimes I get an answer wrong, and it’s like, oops. I forgot that.” -Justus, age 7
“I like doing quizzes, it’s fun.” -Elley, age 5
“It’s important to study God’s word. One day I would like to use it for my family. The more you read the Bible, the more you know it and the verses stay in your mind to do what God wants.” -Holly, age 12
Did you Know....
That most verses in the Bible begin with "And"?
Tell Me More about the Family Bible-in-a-Year Program