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Ah, summer. Just the word evokes the sensations of warm days playing games in the yard, evenings spent roasting marshmallows around a bonfire, the smell of burgers on the grill, and the feel of waves washing over your feet at the beach. For many families, summer is a time for going on vacation and slowing down. The daily school rush is suspended, and a more relaxed rhythm takes its place.
For some, this change of pace is something they look forward to all year. For others, the loss of structure is panic inducing, bringing up fears of kids climbing the walls of the house because “we’re bored and there’s nothing to do.” In all areas the summer season brings both blessings and unique challenges.
Schedule your summer with intention.
No matter which side of summer you’re on — panicked or enthusiastic — a little intention goes a long way. These 10 to 12 weeks (depending on your school district) provide room for families to take a breather, check in with each other and make time for deeper discipleship moments with our kids. When we structure an otherwise “unstructured” time with a purpose, it makes a big difference.
So before you fill each day of the calendar up with family trips, camps or other activities, stop and ask yourself a few questions:
- “How do I want my family to feel at the end of summer?”
- “What do I want my kids to learn about God over the next couple of months?”
- “In what ways can I pour into my kids this summer that I can’t do during the school year?”
Whether you work full time or are a stay-at-home, or even a homeschooling parent, answering these questions will help you as you consider the many different options available for your family over the summer. Instead of a schedule that is bursting at the seams, you will have one intentionally created to allow your family to feel refreshed and prepared when it’s time to start back to school.
Establish a regular summer discipleship rhythm.
Just as school programs and activities take a break during the summer, so, too, do many weeknight church activities. Just a couple months ago, I remember looking at our church’s Awana club calendar and thinking, “But what will we do on Wednesday nights without Awana this summer?” My son had loved attending his club every week, and his growth in learning Scripture this year was incredible. I didn’t want it to stop!
And in truth, just because some church programs take a (deserved) break, that doesn’t mean discipleship should stop for your kids. The reality is that child discipleship shouldn’t just be happening in your church’s kids’ ministry, it should also be happening in your home. That includes during the summer.
In the sometimes-hectic school/sports/extracurriculars schedule that takes place during the academic year, it’s not uncommon for the best place for many family discipleship moments to be in the car before drop-offs. Even as a homeschooling mom, I have found that some of our most meaningful discipleship conversations have happened on the way to homeschool co-op, sports practices or music lessons.
There’s nothing wrong with this! Discipleship can and should take place anytime, anywhere. But when you have the opportunity for longer, deeper conversation, or more time for teaching your kids about God and His Word, don’t let it pass you by! This summer, take advantage of the extra time you have with your kids. In place of the school rhythm, establish one that is focused on family discipleship.
As you do, keep in mind that creating any sort of family discipleship rhythm doesn’t mean every hour of the day has to be planned. On the contrary, it’s good for kids to have free time to be creative, to think, and yes, to even be bored. But adding in just a couple regular (but flexible) discipleship habits will help summer days feel just a little more purposeful and allow your kids to have an idea of what to expect.
Here are a few suggestions:
- Begin your mornings with worship.
When your kids wake up, and while breakfast is prepared, turn on worship music to sing and dance to together in the kitchen. Show your kids that praising God is a way of life not to just be relegated to Sunday mornings. - Read a passage of Scripture or a story from a children’s Bible.
Whether at breakfast, before your kids go to bed, or while eating lunch or a refreshing snack outside, make diving into God’s Word together a regular habit. - Pray together.
No matter where you are or what time of day it is, pray together every day. While mealtimes and bedtime tend to be natural times to pray with your kids, make a point of praying with them other times too—in the car, in the yard, etc. Help them understand they can pray to God anytime, regardless of where they are or what they’re doing. - Spend time in God’s creation together.
Go on a nature walk, take a picnic lunch to a park, or spread a blanket out in your backyard. Bring along a notebook or drawing pad and encourage your kids to write or sketch what they are seeing in God’s creation. Talk about how God made all things and that everything He made reveals truth about Him. - Prioritize family dinners.
While eating dinner together as a family should always be a priority, evening activities during the school year can make this a little more difficult. So, during the summer, take every opportunity to have regular mealtimes together, talk about your days and share what God is teaching you. - Read stories at bedtime that point your family to God.
With the relaxation of early morning schedules during the summer also comes the ability to have more flexible bedtimes. Use this chance to read and discuss stories with your kids that point them to God. Series such as the Chronicles of Narnia, allegorical tales like The Little Pilgrim’s Progress, or biographical stories of missionaries and other heroes of the faith are great options your family can enjoy that also teach truths about God. - Engage with what your kids are learning at Vacation Bible School (VBS).
Whether your kids go to VBS at your church or another church near you, don’t let what they learn end when they exit the church’s doors. Learn about the VBS theme and some of the topics being taught there and structure your Bible readings and discussion at home to reinforce and expand your children’s understanding of the message they heard.
No matter how you choose to make discipleship a part of your family rhythm this summer, make sure to have fun with it. Intentional discipleship is not about creating a list of rules or checking off another “to do” for your kids. It’s about spending time together as you draw closer in relationship with each other and with the Lord. So, play games, laugh and simply enjoy being with one another as you teach your kids how to love Jesus and live more like Him.
I pray this season will bring you rest, refreshment and encouragement. And who knows, maybe you’ll even be able to take some of the habits you establish this summer and apply them to the rest of the year.
If you’re looking for more family discipleship resources this summer, check out Awana’s new resource, God’s Story: A Summer in the Gospel Together. It’s full of family worship guides, activities and games that will help your family have fun as you create meaningful discipleship moments together.
