Age-Appropriate Devotional Ideas for Church School
Devotional practices for children in church settings are rooted in biblical principles that emphasize the spiritual capacity and instruction of the young. Scripture indicates that children are capable of glorifying God and should be brought to Christ, instructed in God's ways, and trained judiciously [3]. Proverbs 1:4 states that wisdom and understanding are given to the young, suggesting their capacity for spiritual learning [2].
The early church recognized the spiritual significance of children. Irenaeus, a second-century Church Father, noted that Christ came to save all ages, including "infants, and children, and boys, and youths, and old men," sanctifying each period of life [4]. Clement of Alexandria, another early Christian writer, referred to Christ as the "Instructor" (Paedagogus) of children, praying for grace for "us Thy children" to obey His precepts and know God [7]. This patristic understanding highlights a view of children as active participants in the Christian life, not merely passive recipients.
Devotional ideas for children often draw from these foundational concepts:
- Scripture Engagement: Children are encouraged to know the Scriptures, as highlighted in 2 Timothy 3:15 [1]. Devotionals can involve age-appropriate Bible stories, memorization of key verses, and discussions about how biblical characters demonstrate faith and obedience. For instance, the story of Samuel hearing God's voice (1 Samuel 3:19) illustrates God's presence with children [1].
- Obedience and Honor: The Bible frequently calls children to obey and honor their parents (Exodus 20:12, Proverbs 1:8-9, Ephesians 6:2-3) and to attend to parental teaching [1, 3]. Devotionals can explore these themes through narratives that show the positive outcomes of obedience and respect, linking it to a broader understanding of fearing and remembering God (Proverbs 24:21, Ecclesiastes 12:1) [3].
- Praise and Worship: Psalm 8:2 and Matthew 21:15-16 suggest that children are capable of glorifying God and perfecting praise [3]. Devotional activities can include singing hymns, learning worship songs, and creating art that expresses praise. Gregory Thaumaturgus, in his "Oration on the Palms," echoed this sentiment, referencing David's words about praise from "babes and sucklings" [8].
- Prayer and Reflection: Teaching children to pray is a core devotional practice. This can involve simple prayers of thanks, requests, and confession. Augustine, in his Exposition on Psalms, speaks of God setting "our misdeeds before Thee" and "our age in the light of Thy countenance," which can be adapted to teach children about God's awareness and forgiveness [10].
- Community and Service: Children are part of the larger body of Christ. John Calvin, in his Institutes of the Christian Religion, emphasizes the Church as the "body" of Christ, with members making up its "fulness" [9]. Devotionals can incorporate activities that foster a sense of belonging and encourage acts of service within the church or community, reflecting the idea of children being "a gift from God" (Psalm 127:3) [3].
The Anglican tradition, for example, includes services designed "For all the Church Family," indicating an inclusive approach to worship and devotional life that integrates different age groups [6]. John Gill, a Baptist commentator, emphasized the importance of teaching and commanding children to refuse "profane and fabulous doctrines" and to exercise "true godliness," highlighting the need for clear instruction [5].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Children, Good — The Lord is with -- 1Sa 3:19. Know the Scriptures -- 2Ti 3:15. Observe the law of God -- Pr 28:7. Their obedience to parents is well pleasing to God -- Col 3:20. Partake of the promises of God -- Ac 2:39. Shall be blessed -- Pr 3:1-4; Eph 6:2,3. Show love to parents -- Ge 46:29. Obey parents -- Ge 28:7; 47:30. Attend to parental teaching -- Pr 13:1. Take care of parents -- Ge 45:9,11; 47:12. Make their parents' hearts glad -- Pr 10:1; 29:17. Honour the aged -- Job 32:6,7. Adduced as a motive for submission to God -- Heb 12:9. Spirit of, a requisite f”
- Proverbs “ut detur parvulis astutia, adolescenti scientia et intellectus. -- Proverbs 1:4”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Children — Christ was an example to -- Lu 2:51; Joh 19:26,27. Are a gift from God -- Ge 33:5; Ps 127:3. Are capable of glorifying God -- Ps 8:2; 148:12,13; Mt 21:15,16. Should be Brought to Christ. -- Mr 10:13-16. Brought early to the house of God. -- 1Sa 1:24. Instructed in the ways of God. -- De 31:12,13; Pr 22:6. Judiciously trained. -- Pr 22:15; 29:17; Eph 6:4. Should Obey God. -- De 30:2. Fear God. -- Pr 24:21. Remember God. -- Ec 12:1. Attend to parental teaching. -- Pr 1:8,9. Honour parents. -- Ex 20:12; Heb 12:9. Fear parents. -- Le 19:3. Obey parents. -- Pr ”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 1: Clement, Polycarp, Ignatius, Barnabas, Papias, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus — CHAP. XXII.--THE THIRTY AEONS ARE NOT TYPIFIED BY THE FACT THAT CHRIST WAS BAPTIZED IN HIS THIRTIETH YEAR: HE DID NOT SUFFER IN THE TWELFTH MONTH AFTER HIS BAPTISM, BUT WAS MORE THAN FIFTY YEA (part 4): that law which He had(7) appointed for the human race, but sanctifying every age, by that period corresponding to it which belonged to Himself. For He came to save all through means of Himself--all, I say, who through Him are born again to God(8)--infants,(9) and children, and boys, and youths, and old m”
- 1 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Timothy 4:11: These things command and teach. What are to be commanded, command, and what are to be taught, teach; command to refuse and reject all profane and fabulous doctrines, and exhort to the exercise of true godliness, and teach the profitableness of that, and declare the promises made unto it, and assert the truth and acceptableness of them; command, order, and encourage believers to labour and suffer reproach for the sake of Christ, and his Gospel, in hope of enjoying the said promises, and teach them to trust in the God of their lives, and the Saviour of all men; and w”
- Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion (Anglican) “Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion (Anglican, 1571), 1. Morning Praise: 1. Morning Praise 10. Light to the World: Holy Communion in Epiphany 11. In Penitence and Faith: a Service in Lent 12. Christ is Risen: a Service in Easter 2. For all the Church Family 3. An Evening Service of the Word 4. Christ is our Peace 5. The Lord is Here 6. This is our Story 7. Believe and Trust: Holy Communion with Baptism 8. Come, Lord Jesus: Holy Communion in Advent 9. Peace to God’s People: Holy Communion during the Christmas Season All Creation Worships (Holy Communion) Introduction Special Days and Occasions The”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 2: Hermas, Tatian, Theophilus, Athenagoras, Clement of Alexandria — PRAYER TO THE PAEDAGOGUS.: Be gracious, O Instructor, to us Thy children, Father, Charioteer of Israel, Son and Father, both in One, O Lord. Grant to us who obey Thy precepts, that we may perfect the likeness of the image, and with all our power know Him who is the good God and not a harsh judge. And do Thou Thyself cause that all of us who have our conversation in Thy peace, who have been translated into Thy commonwealth, having sailed tranquilly over the billows of sin, may be wafted in calm by Thy Holy Spirit, by th”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 6: Gregory Thaumaturgus, Dionysius, Julius Africanus, Methodius, Arnobius — ORATION ON THE PALMS.(1) (part 6): of praise that is raised by your children, even as the blessed David hath declared beforehand; saying, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast Thou perfected praise. Either then,--as is right,--claim the piety of your children for your own, or devoutly give your children unto us. We with them will lead the dance, and to the new glory will sing in concert the divinely-inspired hymn. V. Once, indeed, the aged Simeon met the Saviour(9) and received in his arms, as an infant,”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 99: rich and inexhaustible fountain, which transfuses into us the life flowing forth from the Godhead into itself. Now, who sees not that the communion of the flesh and blood of Christ is necessary to all who aspire to the heavenly life? Hence those passages of the apostle: The Church is the “body” of Christ; his “fulness.” He is “the head,” “from whence the whole body fitly joined together, and compacted by that which every joint supplieth,” “maketh increase of the body” ( Eph. 1:23 ; 4:15,16). Our bodies are the “members of Christ” (”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 8: Augustine — Exposition on Psalms — PSALM XC.(1) (part 5): become weak, and yet fearful to end that weakness. "Another," saith He, "shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not:"(10) although not to be punished, but to be crowned, by martyrdom; and the soul of our Lord, transforming us into Himself, was sorrowful even unto death: for "the Lord's going out" is no other than in "death." 8. "Thou hast set our misdeeds before Thee" (ver. 8): that is, Thou hast not dissembled Thine anger: "and our age in the light of Thy countenance." "The light of Thy countenance" answers ”