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Family Devotions for Young Kids at Ages 6 to 10

Family devotions for young kids at ages six to ten can follow a simple pattern. Read a short passage together, ask three questions about it, and pray. Children of this age can read for themselves, think about what they read and say what they notice, and that makes this a good season to build a daily habit.

Let me give you the steps, the three questions I would use, and a few ways to keep school-age children interested without turning devotions into entertainment.

What changes at school age

A child between six and ten can sit longer, follow a longer passage, remember what was read yesterday and ask real questions. Family devotions are a good place to talk about what they are learning and what they are wondering. Ten to fifteen minutes is enough.

Family devotions for young kids, step by step

  1. Begin with a short prayer, asking the Lord to open His Word to the family.
  2. Sing one hymn together.
  3. Read a passage, a chapter or half of one, and let the children take turns reading a verse each.
  4. Ask three questions, listed below.
  5. Close in prayer, and let each child pray for one thing.

Three questions that work for any passage

  1. What does this passage say?
  2. What does it show us about God?
  3. How does it point to Jesus?

The first question checks that the children understood the text. The second moves them from the story to the God of the story. The third connects the passage to the gospel, which is where every passage of Scripture leads. Luke writes that the risen Jesus “explained to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:27).

A passage to try, Mark chapter 8

The session for Mark chapter 8 includes a question that fits this age well. Jesus asks His disciples, “But who do you say that I am?” and Peter answers, “You are the Christ” (Mark 8:29). You can ask your children the same question, and then listen carefully to what they say. Do not rush to correct an answer. Ask what led them to it, and then read together what Scripture says about Jesus.

Let them read, and let them look

Hand the Bible to a child and let them read a verse aloud. The Bereans “received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11). You can teach your children to do the same, by asking them to find a word, a place or a verse in the passage. “Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105) is a good verse for them to learn.

A notebook for answers and questions

A simple notebook helps some children. They can write one thing they heard and one question they have. Next day, begin by reading the question and looking at the Bible together for the answer. If you do not find one, say so and ask your pastor.

The gospel and your child's own response

A school-age child can understand the heart of the gospel. We have all sinned and deserve God's judgment, Jesus lived without sin, died on the cross for sinners and rose again, and God calls everyone to turn from sin and trust in Him. John wrote his Gospel “that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:31).

Call your children to repent and believe, as often as the passage allows, and do it kindly. Do not assume that a child is a Christian because they know the answers or behave well. Faith is a gift from God. We call the child to trust Christ now, and we pray that God will give faith as His Word is heard (Romans 10:17).

This week, pick a chapter from the worship page and try the three questions at the table. The site is free, and if it helps your family you can give here so more families can use it. May the Lord make His Word a lamp to your children's feet.