Devotion

August, 2007

by: Walt Robertson

Dictionary.com defines devotion as a profound dedication; consecration, an earnest attachment to a cause, person, etc. and an assignment or appropriation to any purpose, cause, etc. We live in a world that understands the meaning of devotion. Many people are devoted to sports, friends, or various entertainment media such as movies, TV, and video games. Some people are devoted to computers, cars, or their jobs. As Christians, we are devoted to Christ.

In Acts 2:42 we see that the early Christians were devoting themselves to the apostle’s teaching, to fellowship, and to prayer. We can bring that into our homes with a daily reminder called “Family Devotions” and into our own lives with a daily reminder called “Personal Devotions” or “Quiet Time.”

In Jr High Ministry, we are encouraging the students to have a personal time of Devotions” or “Quiet Time” in addition to your family devotions, which can become their own personal discipline, as a part of their own relationship with God. I again challenge you, Jr Higher, to make that a priority in your life. I would encourage you, parent, to let your Jr Higher know that this is a discipline of your own life, although they might not be around when you take that time. If your family has taken a hiatus from family devotions, this is a good time to start again. It can be difficult to introduce something new into your well oiled routine, but it can be a very useful time in the life of your family to grow in godliness, share struggles and joys, and will help you, parent, to fulfill your responsibility to raise up your child in the way they should go (Prov 22:6).

If there is a believing Dad in the home, he should take the lead in family devotions, which will demonstrate the spiritual leadership of the family God has placed upon him, even if he just hands out the assignments. You may want to read a chapter or three from the Bible. Perhaps you can get a good devotional book or topical book that applies to issues your family is dealing with from the Church Bookstore. The sharing of prayer requests and praying for one another can build a bond of love and compassion that can be a source of strength for you all.

Finally, remember Romans 12:10, “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love”(NASB).

May our families be the primary source of that kind of devotion so that the next generation will launch into this world devoted to Jesus.