Parents, this is a basic outline of how you might do family devotions each day this week. Each devotion takes less than five minutes, though time will vary depending on your child’s participation and questions. When you do devotions, remember to pick a familiar spot each day, whether it’s at a family altar or bedside before going to sleep. Whatever the case, consistency is critical. Remember that “repetition is the mother of learning” (repetitio est mater studiorum). If you have any questions, please feel free to call, text, or email.
Divine Service Setting Three – Offertory (LSB 192)
Monday (09/25/23)
- Say the Invocation – “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
- Say the First, Second, and Third Commandments – “You shall have no other gods,” “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God,” “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.” (Teach your child to use their hands to count the Ten Commandments).
- Read “Jesus Raises Lazarus, John 11” in The Story Bible (pgs. 371–372; we are reading this because the raising of the widow’s son, Luke 7:11–17, is not in The Story Bible). Review the vocabulary words (ill, resurrection, linen). Ask your children: What does it mean that we believe in the resurrection? Why was Jesus able to raise Lazarus back to life? Teach your children that God gives us back our bodies in the resurrection of the dead (if you have family members who have fallen asleep in the Lord, now may be a good time to talk about them).
- Sing the Offertory. A recording is provided at the top of this page.
- Pray the Lord’s Prayer. Teach your children to fold their hands and close their eyes.
Tuesday (09/26/23)
- Say the Invocation – “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
- Say the First, Second, and Third Commandments – “You shall have no other gods,” “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God,” “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.” (Teach your child to use their hands to count the Ten Commandments).
- Teach your child the Third Commandment. Explain that God wants us to set aside time to hear his Word (the Bible), to be in Church with other Christians), and then, when we are older, to receive the Lord’s Supper. Say simply: In the Third Commandment, God is telling us he wants us to be where he has promised to be, in Church.
- Sing the Offertory. A recording is provided at the top of this page.
- Pray the Lord’s Prayer. Teach your children to fold their hands and close their eyes.
Wednesday (09/27/23)
- Say the Invocation – “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
- Say the First, Second, and Third Commandments – “You shall have no other gods,” “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God,” “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.” (Teach your child to use their hands to count the Ten Commandments).
- Read Jesus Raises the Widow’s Son (Arch Book). Answer any questions your children may have. Explain the pictures on each page.
- Sing the Offertory. A recording is provided at the top of this page.
- Pray the Lord’s Prayer. Teach your children to fold their hands and close their eyes.
Thursday (09/28/23)
- Say the Invocation – “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
- Say the First, Second, and Third Commandments – “You shall have no other gods,” “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God,” “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.” (Teach your child to use their hands to count the Ten Commandments).
- Show the Art Card entitled “Jesus Raises the Widow’s Son (Luke 7:11–17).” Ask your child what they remember about Jesus and the Widow of Nain (yesterday’s Arch Book). Ask where Jesus is in the picture. Ask your child what they think it would have been like for the Widow and her son when Jesus resurrected him. Tell your children that we also don’t need to be afraid of death, because Jesus promises to raise us from the dead on the Last Day.
- Sing the Offertory. A recording is provided at the top of this page.
- Pray the Lord’s Prayer. Teach your children to fold their hands and close their eyes.
Friday (09/29/23) – Feast of St. Michael and All Angels
- Say the Invocation – “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
- Say the First, Second, and Third Commandments – “You shall have no other gods,” “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God,” “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.” (Teach your child to use their hands to count the Ten Commandments).
- Show the Art Card of Saint Michael the Archangel. Tell your child that the Archangel Michael and the rest of the angels defend us from evil (see Psalm 91:11). The picture shows the battle between Michael and Satan (see Revelation 12:7–12). Ask your kids where Satan (the Devil) is in the picture. Explain that we overcome Satan by Jesus’ Death and Resurrection (Satan has no claim on us anymore because we are God’s children).
- Sing the Offertory. A recording is provided at the top of this page.
- Pray the Lord’s Prayer. Teach your children to fold their hands and close their eyes.
Saturday (09/30/23)
- Say the Invocation – “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
- Say the First, Second, and Third Commandments – “You shall have no other gods,” “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God,” “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.” (Teach your child to use their hands to count the Ten Commandments).
- Review the Third Commandment. Read your child Matthew 18:20: “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst of them.” Tell them that when we go to Church tomorrow, God will be among us, like a family reunion. God is our Father, we are his children because of our Baptism into Jesus Christ.
- Sing the Offertory. A recording is provided at the top of this page.
- Pray the Lord’s Prayer. Teach your children to fold their hands and close their eyes.