7 Simple Summer Rhythms For A Christ-Centered Family

Summer is the perfect time to slow down and create fresh rhythms in your family to keep you centered on Christ.

Since summer often changes our normal routines, it creates an opportunity to be more intentional with our families and faith.

These 7 Simple Summer Rhythms For A Christ-Centered Family allow for deeper connection, lasting memories, and, most importantly, creating an intentional home that puts Christ first.

1. Start the Day with Family Prayer

For starters, summer mornings are the perfect opportunity to establish family morning prayer.

This is a wonderful way to start the day and come together as a family, glorifying God.

It doesn’t have to be a lengthy routine, but rather a rhythm that is established in your family culture.

When a family comes together to pray in the morning, it sets the tone for the day and also reminds our hearts to rely on Jesus throughout our day.

2. Take a Morning Family Walk

Additionally, a morning family walk is a wonderful rhythm to start in the summer.

We often call these walks “freeze walks” in our home because we try to go early (think 7 am) before it gets too hot.

These morning walks create a family culture around connection, noticing God’s beauty- the birds chirping, the pretty flowers, the snails slowly moving, and chatting with neighbors.

A morning family walk is a simple rhythm to start this summer.

3. Fill Your Home with Worship Music

Next, music can have such a profound influence on your home’s atmosphere- for better or worse.

The music we listen to in our home seeps into our minds and hearts, so it matters what we allow to be repeated in our mouths and in our children’s ears.

Playing worship music in your home all summer long is a wonderful way to keep the family Christ-centered.

We typically have worship music playing while we’re cooking, cleaning, eating, relaxing, and when we host guests.

When you play worship music in your home, you guard your minds and hearts with His love.

4. Enjoy Family Read-Alouds Together

Additionally, summer break is the perfect time to enjoy family read-alouds together.

There are so many wonderful books to read as a family and relish together (that’s my favorite part about this).

I recommend focusing on books that are high in moral character-building, fun, engaging for all ages, and even have a series.

If you’re looking for some book recommendations, I suggest checking out Read-Aloud Revival for some wonderful and family-friendly options.

5. Make Time for Board Games and Connection

Furthermore, summer breaks bring much time for board games.

This is a great way to build connection and create lasting memories.

Our family appreciates a good board game and plays them throughout the year.

If this is a new rhythm you’re establishing, here are some quick board game recommendations: Uno Attack, Monopoly, Battleship, and Life.

While the list can go on forever, the end goal is simply spending time as a family this summer.

6. Memorize One Bible Verse Each Week

Moreover, summertime is a perfect opportunity to start memorizing scripture together.

You can choose one verse every week to practice daily and repeat to learn.

When we memorize scripture, we are hiding God’s word in our hearts and can pull from these verses throughout our day, week, and life.

His word is living and active- it’s not mere words we are reciting, but the Holy Word of God. His Word is powerful and heart-changing.

Here are some wonderful verses to memorize this summer:

• Psalm 119:11- I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
• Proverbs 13:20- Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
• 1 Timothy 4:12- Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.
• John 3:16- For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
• Romans 12:2- Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
• Romans 10:9- If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

7. End the Day with Family Prayer

Finally, summer is a great time to unwind the day with family prayer.

In creating this rhythm, a family culture is being established- we start the day worshiping God, we go throughout our day worshiping God, and we end the day worshiping God.

This end-of-the-day prayer is about coming together and glorifying God together.

It’s a time to thank Him, praise Him, and lift others in His name.

Small Summer Rhythms Can Have a Lasting Impact

Friend, these small summer rhythms are what create a Christ-centered home.

It’s not grand events that matter more, but the small daily routines we put in place that create a lasting impact on our family.

I pray your summertime is fruitful, prayerful, and wonderful.

I pray new rhythms are established and new family memories are made.

And I pray His presence surrounds your home.