Don’t Waste Your Vacation!
I know, it’s pretty tough to waste a vacation. It’s truly helpful to get away for rest, reflection, and reset. But I want to encourage you to go even further. Don’t take a vacation from spiritual growth. Vacation time is an awesome time to pursue spiritual growth with your family.
Here are a few simple ideas to help you take advantage of your vacation time:
- Read a book together.
This works well with older kids. Once on a long weekend family gathering, I sent out copies of Sit, Walk, Stand: The Process of Christian Maturity by Watchman Nee, (only about 80 pages) and asked the kids to read it before they arrived. This led to rich, meaningful discussion time. You could also find a short book to read out loud together as you travel and hang out.
- Listen to a book together as you travel.
Take a break from screens and listen to a book or a drama as you travel. Our kids loved the Adventures in Odyssey series from Focus on the Family. It was designed for the kids, but I learned right along with them. (Here’s a link to a favorite episode about the hymn, It Is Well with My Soul.)
- Do a study together.
For several years, we vacationed at the beach with a family that also had several boys. The other dad (also named Mike) and I walked through one section of Authentic Manhood: 33 The Series each afternoon when we were ready for a break from the beach. Vacation context provided plenty of time for processing and side conversations. Big Win! (Let me know if you plan to do this. I have books at the NW office!)
- Memorize scripture together.
Huge impact here! Use time in the car or along the way to memorize a verse or passage together as a family. Romans 12:12 is a great verse for kids headed to middle school. Psalm 1 is great for young men to have in their head, or memorize the Romans Road together so they are prepared to share the gospel with others.
- Worship together.
Don’t skip Sunday worship. Visit a local church or watch your church’s worship service online. But, dad, if you really want to create a memory, plan and lead a simple worship service for your family. Meet outside. Sing a song. Read some scripture. Share a devotional thought (You don’t have to preach. Please don’t preach. Just share your heart with your family!) Pray for each other and sing a closing song. You could do this in 15-30 minutes.
- Read Scripture together.
Pick out a short book of the Bible and read it out loud together while you’re on vacation. Discuss it together. James is great! So is Ruth, Jonah, Philippians, or Ephesians.
- Model commitment to the Word for your family!
Guys, there are many other ideas, but here’s the most important one… make sure that a vacation from work and routine is not a vacation from the Word. Perhaps the most impactful thing you can do personally, is model your intentional engagement with and love for the Word. Bring a paper Bible and a notebook. Read and journal. Let your family see you with your Bible. Talk about your faith with them. Read to them and with them. Discuss what the Lord is teaching you. Set an example for them of what it looks like when a man loves the Word and submits his life to the Lord.
Now… CAPTURE THE MOMENTUM! If you take a bold step and try something new over vacation, keep it going. Lead your family to engage the Word, sharpen each other and grow in faith!
Don’t waste your vacation!