During this difficult time of moral decline in our society, it is crucial to maintain not only a strong personal relationship with God, but also maintain a godly family, which is united to serve Jesus Christ.
One powerful way to develop your family unity with one another and with God is by reading the Bible together and having close fellowship as a family. I would like to suggest 10 Bible passages to read outloud with your family that I believe to be inspiring, encouraging, and thought-provoking.
1. Psalm 29
This is my personal favorite Psalm of David that expresses God’s power and majesty as Lord and King over the earth. As you read through this Psalm, soak in our God’s greatness and be encouraged by the last verse.
These few verses are another wonderful reminder of what God we serve. Not only is He a powerful God, but also a self-sufficient God that is unimaginable and Whose wisdom is beyond our mental capacity. This is a great reminder that God is in control of your family and its future.
3. Hosea 11
The words God spoke of Israel in this chapter of Hosea are very applicable to today’s Christians, because we too are His people; we have failed Him just as much as Israel, and He has expressed His love towards us just as He does towards them in this passage. I especially love this chapter because it gives us a glimpse of God’s heart toward man and His unending love towards us.
4. Psalm 130
This Psalm is another great picture of God’s love and mercy towards us.
5. John 17
When reading about the greatness and mercy of God, it is inevitable to remember God the Son, Jesus Christ. This chapter in John is a very encouraging prayer that Christ prayed before his crucifixion. Especially encouraging is verse 20, in which Jesus prays for us.
6. Matthew 27
In reading the Bible with your family, it is pertinent to keep in mind the focal point of the Bible: Jesus’ death. His death gave us life, and this is worth remembering as a family.
7. Psalm 22
In Matthew 27:46, Jesus references a prophecy spoken by David about his suffering. This Psalm will give your family an even greater picture of the suffering He experienced on Calvary’s cross when He took on the wrath of God for our sins, so that not one drop of it would fall on our heads.
Looking at Christ’s death, it is also pertinent to remember that Jesus did not stay in the grave, but rose again and was enthroned with the Father. This prophetic vision Daniel saw is an important reminder for every family about this truth.
This passage is a good reminder of how we ought to react to God’s power, mercy, and gift of Christ.
10. Psalm 127
Lastly, let this Psalm remind you that the children God gave you are His blessing, and that your family can do nothing and cannot have success without God’s hand.
I hope that reading these Bible passages and many more for years to come will be a great blessing for your family!