Routines are easy to come by. Sometimes they happen without us even noticing it. For example, do you brush your teeth then eat breakfast or do you first eat breakfast then brush your teeth? Or your bed: do you have to make it in the morning or do you just leave it a mess? Many times we’ve been doing something the same way since we were a kid because that’s the way we saw our parents or others do it. It takes a very intentional effort to change a set routine.
Last week I challenged you to shake up your routine by trying the “21 Day Bible Challenge.” This is something that the 4th and 5th graders do every month. They are encouraged to read their Bible and journal their thoughts 21 days out of the month. If you haven’t started, it’s not too late to try this new routine. If you have started, how is it going? We would love to hear about what you are doing individually or as a family and how it is transforming your routine and faith! Email us your thoughts and experiences at Tyler@fccbrea.org. In the video below, you can hear from the Winberg family and how the 21 Day Bible Challenge has helped them grow in their faith. You can also hear some tips of how they’ve incorporated it into their new routine.
In case you missed it last week, here are some tips of how this challenge can look for different ages and for those that already have a routine of daily Bible reading:
Adults: Try reading a chapter each of the 21 days. If you already have a routine of personal daily bible reading, try reading and discussing a portion of scripture with your significant other. Maybe add journaling your observations on the passage to your routine for this month. If you have grandkids, consider video conferencing them routinely this month and reading them one verse and then explaining what it means, how it has looked lived out in your life, and asking them how it can look lived out in theirs.
Youth: Try reading a chapter each of the 21 days. See if you can read through one of the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John) in the month of May. Set a reminder on your phone to go off at a certain part of the day to help you get into the routine. Maybe do this challenge with a friend that can text you and keep you accountable. You can even text each other questions you might have on what you read.
Older Elementary: There is a worksheet on the Children’s Ministry page of the FCC website that gives you all the info you need for this challenge. You can access it by clicking here: 21 Day Bible Reading Challenge. It gives you a suggested reading plan, space to write the verse that stood out to you each of the 21 days, and space to write your prayers. It also gives you helpful tips to keep in mind while you read.
Younger Elementary: Have them practice their reading by letting them read the story for the day. Contact the Children’s Ministry staff for suggested age-appropriate bible translations. After reading, discuss what happened in the story. Going over the details of the story will help with their reading comprehension and help them to retain it longer. Discuss ways that you’ve seen it apply to your own life and then ask them how they might see it lived out in their own lives. Pray together afterwards.
Toddlers: Read a verse to them and explain what it means. Then pray that verse over them and ask that it would define them and their life. Try writing out that verse and your prayer in a journal. Put the date for each day so that you can have it as a keepsake and look back on all the prayers that you prayed over them when they were young.
The form is unimportant. What is important is getting into a routine of spending time with God and his word!
-Pastor Tyler Lemen
Associate Pastor of Family Ministries at Friends Community Church