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 (Lutheran Service Book, pg. 192)
Monday (10/23/23)
- Say the Invocation – “In the name of the Father, and of the ☩ Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” You may teach your child to make the sign of the cross.
- Say the First Seven Commandments (Have your child use their fingers to count the 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.
Honor your father and your mother.
You shall not murder.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal. - Read “Daniel in the Lions’ Den” (Daniel 6) in The Story Bible (pgs. 241–242). Explain the vocabulary words (exiles, fasting) and any other words that are unfamiliar. Ask your children: What did King Darius command the people to do? What did Daniel do? Why was disobeying the king okay in this case? How was Daniel faithful to God? How was God faithful to Daniel? When is okay for us disobey those in authority over us (Acts 5:29)? (See Small Catechism, question 57)
- Sing the Offertory. A recording is provided at the top of this page.
- Pray the Lord’s Prayer.
Tuesday (10/24/23)
- Say the Invocation – “In the name of the Father, and of the ☩ Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” You may teach your child to make the sign of the cross.
- Say the First Seven Commandments (Have your child use their fingers to count the 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.
Honor your father and your mother.
You shall not murder.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal. - Teach the Seventh Commandment. Ask your children: What does it mean to steal? How do we break the seventh commandment? What should we do with things that belong to others? What should we do with things that belong to us? What should we do if want or need something that someone else has?
- Sing the Offertory. A recording is provided at the top of this page.
- Pray the Lord’s Prayer.
Wednesday (10/25/23)
- Say the Invocation – “In the name of the Father, and of the ☩ Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” You may teach your child to make the sign of the cross.
- Say the First Seven Commandments (Have your child use their fingers to count the 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.
Honor your father and your mother.
You shall not murder.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal. - Read Matthew 22:15–22 in your Family Bible. Explain the phrase “Give back to Caesar the things that belong to Caesar and give back to God the things that belong to God.” Ask your children: What things belong to Caesar (the government)? What things belong to God? What things have Caesar’s name and picture on them? (If you have a coin at home, you can explain this to your kids.) What things have God’s image and name on them? (US! We are made in God’s image and we had God’s name put on us in Holy Baptism,)
- Sing the Offertory. A recording is provided at the top of this page.
- Pray the Lord’s Prayer.
Thursday (10/26/23)
- Say the Invocation – “In the name of the Father, and of the ☩ Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” You may teach your child to make the sign of the cross.
- Say the First Seven Commandments (Have your child use their fingers to count the 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.
Honor your father and your mother.
You shall not murder.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal. - Show the Art Card “Daniel in the Lions’ Den”. Review the story from Monday (The Story Bible, pgs. 241–242). Ask your child: Why are there bones at the bottom of the picture? Who kept the Lions from eating Daniel in the Lions’ Den? What is David doing in the picture?
- Sing the Offertory. A recording is provided at the top of this page.
- Pray the Lord’s Prayer.
Friday (10/27/23)
- Say the Invocation – “In the name of the Father, and of the ☩ Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” You may teach your child to make the sign of the cross.
- Say the First Seven Commandments (Have your child use their fingers to count the 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.
Honor your father and your mother.
You shall not murder.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal. - Review the Seventh Commandment. Ask your children: What are some of the things that you own? What are some of the things that your parents own? How do you feel when someone takes something that is yours? Explain: If we are hurt when others take our things, we also shouldn’t take things that belong to others (steal).
- Sing the Offertory. A recording is provided at the top of this page.
- Pray the Lord’s Prayer.
Saturday (10/28/23)
- Say the Invocation – “In the name of the Father, and of the ☩ Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” You may teach your child to make the sign of the cross.
- Say the First Seven Commandments (Have your child use their fingers to count the 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.
Honor your father and your mother.
You shall not murder.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal. - Show the Art Card with the picture of the denarius. Review Jesus’ teaching from Matthew 22:15–22. Answer any questions your children may have. Tell your children: Tomorrow we go to Church to give back to God the things that belong to God (ourselves).
- Sing the Offertory. A recording is provided at the top of this page.
- Pray the Lord’s Prayer.