The roles of men have taken a hit in some corners of our culture. But that doesn’t change the fact that husbands and fathers matter. From God’s perspective—which is the only one that really counts—you still have a calling as the spiritual leader of your home. And one of the best ways to step into that role is by leading family devotions, making time to build faith and strengthen the foundation of your family.

When you make that a priority, it opens the door for deeper conversations about God’s Word. Finding and leading a Bible study for your family isn’t just about knowledge—it’s about connection. It’s about stepping into the role God designed for you (Deuteronomy 6:20-25) and creating a legacy of faith that lasts.

Take the first step

As you consider the options for Bible studies for families, remember that you don’t need a seminary degree or the ability to speak Hebrew and Greek to make it work. Your family isn’t looking for another sermon, but family discipleship is important. And you do need a starting point to get the ball rolling.

Out of the gate, it’s OK to keep things simple. Focus on the Word and prayer. It can be as easy as reading a verse or two (maybe from the Psalms or the Gospel of John) and talking as a family about the best ways to apply that verse each day. Give space for each family member to share what sticks out to them and why. Then spend a few minutes praying, asking God to meet needs and to help each person live out the verse genuinely at home, work, school, or anywhere else their routines might take them.

Family devotion ideas

Once you’ve got your feet grounded, you might consider family devotional ideas created by other people. Honestly, there’s a ton of them out there and many of them are really solid. A quick search of the internet can produce a bunch of options, but they also might be overwhelming. To help, we’ve provided a quick list of five Bible studies for families that you might consider.

YouVersion

 In a relatively short amount of time, YouVersion has become the “go-to” app for Bible reading and Bible study. Millions of people rely on this tool to find studies written by all kinds of folks covering all kinds of topics. If you’re looking for family devotional ideas, YouVersion has a lot of choices right at your fingertips.

One Year of Dinner Table Devotions and Discussion Starters

Research consistently affirms that one characteristic of strong families is regular time spent around the dinner table. Author Nancy Guthrie takes that idea a step further with this book. She provides 365 family devotions that can spark spiritual discussions and nurture biblical understanding. Designed to last about 15 minutes each, these won’t take up the whole meal, but they do have the potential to make a lasting impression. Guthrie also has written a book on devotional prayer that could be a solid family Bible studies option.

The Whole Story for the Whole Family

Sometimes, it’s easy for kids—and adults—to see the Bible as just a collection of stories with no real thread connecting them. But Michael Kelley’s 365-day devotional helps parents teach their kids about the overarching narrative of Scripture that points them to the Savior. Each session includes an object lesson, Scripture passages to read, and questions for further discussion.

Homegrown

Josh and Christi Straub have a heart for families, and their passion has resulted in conferences and books that make a real difference. Their Bible study, called Homegrown, takes families on a journey through the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). It provides a leader guide for each session, along with daily devotions. This could also be a great resource to share with other families through your church.

Church curriculum resources

If you’re a dad who takes his kids to church, you know how much stuff they haul home every Sunday morning and Wednesday night. Well, along with the coloring pages and macaroni art, your church leaders also may be sending home parent guides that correlate with what your children have been studying in Sunday school or a discipleship class. These resources are great tools for strengthening family faith. They carry the truths of Scripture beyond the walls of the church, and they make solid family devotion resources. If your children’s or student ministry offers these tools, take advantage of them to nurture family Bible studies at home.

Engaging the Whole Family

One key to strengthening family faith is to make sure the whole family is involved. So, don’t feel like you have to carry the entire load yourself. Let your wife take a night leading the devotion. And, as your kids mature, delegate some of that responsibility to them. This produces a sense of ownership, which increases the chances of engagement and growth.

It’s also good to evaluate the devotional needs of your family. That involves finding resources that are age appropriate and theologically sound. As best as you can, review the material before you use it, especially if it’s from a source you’re not familiar with. 

Finally, cover the entire project in prayer. No matter how much you prepare, you cannot do this on your own. God is the Author of His Word, and He is the only One who can transform lives through that Word. You need Him to guide you and teach you—even as you guide and teach the ones closest to you.

But never forget: God will bless your efforts to know Him better and to help your family know Him better. It won’t always be easy, but you’ll never have to question the pleasure He takes in a sincere Bible study for families.