39. Don't Let Your Faith Take a Vacation this Summer/Practical Tips & Resources for Family Discipleship
Faith doesn't have to take a summer vacation. When our four-year-old surprised us by announcing the summer solstice meant "the days are getting shorter," it sparked an important realization: summer presents both challenges and opportunities for keeping our children's faith formation active.
Summer spirituality doesn't require complicated systems or rigid schedules. Simple family worship nights happen organically in our home when my husband grabs his guitar and the kids collect makeshift instruments – from upside-down pans to plastic cups. These spontaneous moments often create the most meaningful spiritual memories.
Morning devotionals provide another anchor point during unstructured summer days. Resources like "The Treasure: Ancient Story Ever New," "I Am: 40 Reasons to Trust God," or children's Picture Bibles offer accessible entry points to Scripture. The goal isn't completing every page but establishing the habit of turning to God's Word together daily.
Scripture memorization becomes more natural during summer's relaxed pace. Whether choosing Psalm 19:14, the Fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22-23, or longer passages like Romans 12:1-2, consistency is key. As one beloved poem reminds us: "Little drops of water, little grains of sand, make the mighty ocean and the pleasant land."
Family read-alouds – from church history to The Green Ember series or even The Lord of the Rings – create opportunities for meaningful discussions that naturally reinforce biblical values without forced spiritualization. Meanwhile, intentional acts of kindness teach children that faith extends beyond Sunday mornings into practical expressions of Christ's love.
What matters most isn't perfection but intentionality. If you miss a day or only complete half your planned devotional, simply begin again tomorrow. These small, consistent moments – "humble though they be" – accumulate into a lifetime of faith that will sustain your children long after summer ends.
How are you keeping Christ at the center of your family's summer? Share your ideas with us at podcast@thisdevotedlife.com or message us on Instagram @devoted_motherhood. And don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend who could use some summer faith encouragement!
Links : (may contain affiliate links)
The Treasure: Ancient Story Ever New of Jesus and His Church by Marty Machowski
WonderFull: Ancient Psalms Ever New by Marty Machowski
I Am: 40 Bible Stories, Devotions, and Prayers About the Names of God by Diane Stortz
Complete Illustrated Children’s Bible
Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon
The Daily Grace Devotionals (use code SHANDA10 at checkout)
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