Need a family devotion to help your kids understand God’s love for them? This devotion is simple, brief, and meaningful, and is appropriate for kids of all ages. (Confession: I totally cried when we did this devo with our kids. )
Start by reading Zephaniah 3:17—I love the old NIV version (NIV 1984):
“The Lord your God is with you,
He is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
He will quiet you with his love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.”
(This is where the waterworks started for me. I just can’t. It’s so beautiful. So overwhelming. So comforting. It sets my heart to singing every time.)
Explain to your kids that God takes great delight in them. Just as Mommy and Daddy put them to bed each night with a song, so God, our Heavenly Father, sings over us. Then tell each child one thing in their character that brings God great delight—be as specific as you can be. For example, with our four kids, we shared:
Kid 1: Your compassion, kindness, and concern for others’ feelings
Kid 2: Your soft heart towards God, the way you are always seeking Him
Kid 3: Your amazing patience and kindness to your younger sister, even when she drives you crazy
Kid 4: Your deeply loving spirit—you give affection so generously to others, and make us all feel loved
Talks like this are a wonderful way to encourage our kids and show them the height and depth and breadth of God’s astounding, mind-boggling, often undeserved but absolutely devoted love for all of us.
This image is taken from my new Instagram account, @elizabethlaingthompson, where I am posting scriptures, encouragement, and humorous thoughts to help you through your waiting journey. I’d love to see you on Instagram!
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One of the most important, if not THE most important things parents ever teach their little ones is the nature of God – that “God is Love” and no one will ever love you more that He does – even you Mommy and Daddy! This lays the foundation for their future love for him and their future faith and life. Wonderful job, Elizabeth!
Thanks, Dad! So grateful for how you taught us this–and showed us what a father’s love looks like! Love you so much.
Absolutely one of my favorite scriptures. Thank you for reminding me to share it with my kids and more importantly, to remind them of why God delights in them so much. So, I wrote it in each of my kids Valentine cards yesterday. Now, I just need to remember to encourage them (and myself ) of God’s love. Often. Continuously.
I love the way you shared this with them! How special! xoxo
Very helpful. Do you have some for smaller girls. My daughter is 2. 5 years.
Hi! With little ones that age, I like to take little prayer walks around the yard and neighborhood, pointing out all the things in nature that God has made—that’s a great way to introduce them to God! Simple Bible-based songs are a fun way to introduce them to scripture. It’s also fun to act out Bible stories with props and dolls, too — the older she gets, the more fun you will have with this kind of thing! I have a few devotion ideas in The Tender Years: Parenting Preschoolers as well. -xoxo
Its was a good sharing for our little kids. They grow up and they know that God will always loves us. 😍😍😍😍. There is no one else like our God. He is always a wonderful Father to us. I always praise Him until my last breath. Thank you.