Back to School Devotion
Christian Family Prayer Activity
It's easy, during the back to school rush, to get lost in the shopping, enrollment, and activity of school and miss out on asking God’s presence and guidance for a child or teen's education.
This back-to-school devotion with prayer and scripture invites the entire family to focus on God’s role in educating a child.
Gathering the Family Together For PrayerPlan the back to school devotion in the evening, or another time when the whole family is present and relaxed. Time the devotion activity the day before school starts up after a break of some kind, to ease the family’s transition.
Invite the family to be seated around a table, in the living room, or in some other comfortable family space for about twenty minutes. Select one member of the family to be the designated leader, and instruct members of the family that they may be asked to contribute specific prayers throughout the devotion.
Prayer Asking God to Bless Family Throughout Coming School Year
During this exercise, the designated leader begins with the following prayer:
"Loving God, thank you for the gift of vacation we have all enjoyed, especially (list family members going to school).We ask Your guidance as we begin a new school year (or semester) as a family. Help us to listen to each other, be patient when others are stressed, be helpful when others are struggling, and be kind when others are frustrated. Guide us all to be better students in Your word and ways, O God, and help us to listen to ourselves, each other, and You.” Amen.
Invitation to Share Thanksgivings from Vacation and Hopes for the School Year
The leader then invites everyone at the table to share something they give thanks for over the following break. For example, Sydnee, age 5, gives thanks for going swimming with Grandma, while Mom gives thanks for Tawnya, age 14, babysitting her younger siblings during the day.
When everyone has shared a thanksgiving, encourage the family to share a hope for the coming school year or term. For example, Syndee may desire to make friends at her new school, while Mom hopes that all the children will clean up after themselves when they come home from school.
Sharing the Word, Jesus in the Temple
For the next step, the leader can read Luke 2:45-47, and 52 to the group gathered.
“When Jesus’ parents” could not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among his teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers… And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor.”
How to Close in Prayer
To conclude, the participants can invite everyone at the table to hold hands and join together in the following prayer:
“Loving God, You brought Your Beloved Son to the temple to learn from His teachers, and You guided Him to increase in wisdom and divine favor. Guide those of us attending school to listen to our teachers and ask them questions, as Jesus did. Encourage us all to learn and grow as much as possible in the image of Your Son, Jesus, that our family might live in the light of Your love. Amen.”
The religious family can conclude the back to school devotion by saying the “Lord’s Prayer” together as a family.
Religious families can offer the back to school devotion after any holiday or summer break, as a family transition from vacation time to the faster pace of school. Another method involves allowing various family members to lead, and substituting other scriptures for the Luke passage as desired.
For other ways to invite God back to school, try the Back to School Prayers. Also, see Prayers of Intercessions for creative ways to pray for others.
Source:
- Holy Bible, New Revised Standard Version, available through the Oremus Bible Browser.
Welcome School and God with a Family Devotion
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