When I was growing up, I remember a song that went something like this: "Every day with Jesus, is sweeter than the day before. Every day with Jesus, I love him more and more..." But I didn't quite know what that "every day with Jesus" was supposed to look like. For well over a year now, my children and I have been on an adventure in pursuing this daily relationship with Christ in a focused, consistent manner. I share it here because perhaps others will find that the way we approach this may help them. Each morning (typically four days each week) we (I and my three daughters ages 9 through 11) have worship time and what we affectionately call "picture time." I will explain further below, but we have a fixed time for our time to enjoy being with God - not time to be thinking about the other parts of the day. The total time varies, but is usually 30-40 minutes, including sharing and journaling time..
Worship time is our time to listen to worship songs on CD and worship along. This might look like sitting quietly, dancing all around the room, standing with arms raised, or even cuddling or slow dancing. Every day is a little different. I allow the children to choose music that they enjoy worshipping along with such as Chris Tomlin, Misty Edwards, Cory Asbury, or even traditional children's worship songs. Three songs works well for us.
"Picture time" comes right after worship, because our hearts are already focused. We play an instrumental worship song - typically one that is designed for deep meditation, (eg, John Belt's Prophetic Ocean CD). As the song begins, I lead a prayer of dedicating the time to being with Jesus and inviting Holy Spirit to bring us into Jesus' presence. We pray that the eyes and ears of our hearts will be open to experience Jesus in just the way He wants us to experience Him. "Show us what you want us to see. Speak to us the words that you want us to hear." Then for the remainder of the song we are very quiet before the Lord (5-8 minutes, depending on the song.) I keep my eyes closed, and I truly experience more during this time together with my children than I would typically all alone. If someone does make a distraction, I very quietly correct. (In the beginning, when the children weren't as used to this, I would also have to remind, redirect, gently, to help them remember what we are doing. Now I let them have silence to experience without interruptions.)
After the song ends, I ask, "Who would like to share their picture?" On a typical morning, all three girls want to share. They tell where they went with Jesus and what they did. Or, if they had a less detailed experience, they share what word the Lord gave them and what that means to them. This could be very simple "I got the word "Love" and Jesus told me that it is important to love everybody." More often it is more detailed, though. Whether it is a picture, a word, or a full length adventure, I have each one write this (or draw it) in their journal - a journal that is specifically set aside for this purpose. On a rare occasion someone says "I didn't get anything." I gently encourage that they will likely get something next time.
So, where do they go with Jesus? What does it mean to them? I have been overwhelmed with the variety and depth of the experiences that we have during this time. Sometimes the details that they are able to recall are startling - and highly symbolic. Jesus has taken them to beautiful waterfalls, beaches, parties, castles, dances, mission fields, clouds, heaven (various places in heaven including the throne room), and much more. He has shown them treasures in treasure boxes, crowns of various detail, colorful gowns, books, and even nations. The experiences vary from childish (Jesus gave me a teddy bear) to intensely prophetic (Jesus took me around the world and showed me children in different places, and we prayed for them and they were healed; and Jesus told me that I would be a missionary to different countries). Envision a fully interactive time with the Lord, face to face, building sand castles, or hand in hand, walking through a meadow, or side by side, riding horses (or eagles), and you'll have just a glimpse of what a typical time with Jesus can be.
As they share, I try to get them to think "What do you think that means?" or "What does Jesus want you to know by showing you that?" Sometimes they know. Sometimes it opens scripture to us - and I read the relevant passage. Eg: "That sounds just like the picture in Revelation 5. Let's read that."
After our sharing time, they complete the writing and drawing in their journals. At that time we start our intercession time - praying for others. That lasts an additional 10-15 minutes. Our final piece of our morning routine is study time - we study a passage from scripture and also work on memory verses.
What are some keys to making our time together work? (1) consistency in time and place, (2) consistency in expectations, (3) worshiping together first before having our "picture time," and (4) positive, brief, encouraging feedback (absolutely no laughing, comparing, or criticizing - no matter how it sounds.) Keeping ourselves from the brain pollution all around us, as much as possible, also helps.
What is the fruit? They have no doubt that Jesus wants a PERSONAL relationship with them. Jesus is real to them. They know from first hand experience that Jesus smiles, walks, talks, plays, works miracles, prays for us, gives us good gifts, dances with us, and longs to be with us. Jesus is King and He is friend. They enjoy being with Him. They are learning more and more who He is and how he wants to relate to them. To me, this is priceless.
Tips for teens -- My teens seem to need their own separate time more than the organized family time. If they are involved in "picture time" here at home, they like to be involved in a leadership role - leading worship, playing the piano, or helping the children enter in.
Be blessed in His Presence!
You may also find the following site interesting: http://www.godadventures.com/
