Review - Our 24 Family Ways

 

We are on our last week of the devotional guide Our 24 Family Ways, written by Clay Clarkson.  I'm going to miss this book when we've completed it.  It has taught me and my children so much about God's word.  I appreciate how it provided us with the opportunity to hold meaningful discussions about how we can apply His word to our lives.  By providing us with daily questions pertaining to the theme behind each family way, we were able to dig into God's word in a manner that was easy for each of my children to understand.  This is a study that can be done with children of any age, although the images are geared towards elementary-aged children.   


Each week in this devotional guide you are introduced to a new Family Way.  For example, week one's family way concerns "authorities in our family" and you learn that: "We love and obey our Lord, Jesus Christ, with wholehearted devotion." 

This is followed by a short commentary relating to the family way.  A brief definition of the character being taught is also provided, in this case: Godliness.  You are then presented with a scripture which you can choose to memorize: Jesus replied: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind."  This is the first and greatest commandment. (NIV)  (Two other versions of the scripture are provided: NASB and NKJV). 

This page ends with a Story Starter.  This is a short story that goes along with the picture shown for the family way.  (This is geared more toward elementary or young middle school-aged children, in my opinion.  You may wish to skip this if you have older children.) 

After reading through this introduction page, you can begin with Day One's lesson.  (There are 5 days of lessons for each family way.)  The lesson is broken up into four sections:

Ask A Question:  You use these questions to open up discussions about what you will be covering in that lesson.  I loved these!  An example of a question from Day 1 of Family Way 1 is:  "As King, would you share your throne with another king? Why, or why not?"

Read the Bible:  This is where the day's scripture is listed along with a brief summary of the scripture (which you read after you've read the scripture).

Talk About It:  Here you will see questions pertaining to the scripture you've just read.  There are usually three questions.

Speak to God:  Suggestions for prayers are offered based on the scripture you read and what you learned.  There are usually three to choose from.

This devotion has helped us memorize 24 wonderful scriptures and has taught us how to apply God's word to every part of our lives.  I can see myself using this devotional guide again when my children are older.

Note:  If you are interested in learning more about this book, or would like to purchase a copy, I would appreciate it if you would use my affiliate link found on the left side of my website under Books/Curriculum.  Just click on the image of the book found there.

Clay Clarkson's wife, Sally, recently wrote a post referring to Family Way One titled Cultivating a Sense of Sacredness in the Heart of your child which you may be interested in reading.
 

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