Last Sunday we handed out a daily Advent devotional at the Kidtropolis check-in stations and I offer it today for your use. It is primarily geared for parent(s) to lead their child(ren) through, as a user-friendly way to be in God's Word daily and focus on Jesus this December. But I am using it as my daily devotions this season personally, and want to invite you to as well.
The authors of this devotional guide are Aron Gibson (our kick tail WestLakeForest pastor) and Tracy Grubbs (our self-named 'Creative Arts Chick' at LFC - I allow people to write their own job titles). There are two things I like most about it:
- It models for us that our daily engagement with God's Word doesn't have to be exhaustive, long, or exhausting to be meaningful. Sometimes a brief focus and prayer over a single verse has more sticking power for the day, and in the heart, than reading a whole chapter. And that can be done in a few focused minutes.
- They chose an Ignatian approach to a family devotional, by making one simple statement about each Bible reading, then posing a question or two. Parents, this is tutoring you in how to be a 'spiritual director,' or shepherd, to your child. Use the questions as starting points, let your child and yourself explore them, and gently turn them to consider God's presence in their lives that day.
I'm asking the LORD to gift me with a more child-like heart this Advent season as I follow this guide. Thank you Aron and Tracy.
You can download the LFC Advent Family Devotion here. Note: Because of how the booklets are set up for our printer, this download will not have the dates in order. You’ll just have added family bonding time searching for the dates as a first step :) (also we will have a few more to handout in Kidtropolis this Sunday)
