Once we are established in daily Family Worship and as our kids are getting older, we can consider introducing them to other spiritual disciplines. Private prayer and Bible reading, Bible memorization, fasting, serving others, and studying the Bible are some of the spiritual disciplines that you can encourage your children to use in their fellowship with God. Consider if you should add any of these, or others, to your family's schedule.
But proceed with caution. Jerry Bridges, in his book 'The Transforming Power of the Gospel' tells us that the great danger we face in any spiritual activity is that we do it for the wrong reasons. He says we need to imagine we are in a boat on a river with a strong current, always taking us in the direction of thinking that our works are what please God. This leads us to do spiritual disciplines because we seeking to be in God's good books or to avoid his punishment. So, what are we to do? Bridges says we must take up the oars of grace every time that we come to a spiritual discipline and remember that our righteousness comes by the blood of Jesus alone. We must remember that we are but sinners before him; unworthy to approach God, but that in his great mercy, at great cost to himself, he has given us his glorious grace. This is something that we all need reminding of often.
So, as we teach and train our children to exercise spiritual disciplines, let us remember and rely on the abundant grace we have been given in Jesus.
Further resources:
'Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life," Donald Whitney. This easy-to-read book will introduce you to a range of spiritual disciplines and provide you with much gospel fuel to pursue them.
"The Transforming Power of the Gospel,' Jerry Bridges. A great read for all Christians, as it unpacks our daily need of the gospel, our natural tendency towards works based Christian living and the wonderful power for obedience available in the gospel.
