Faith, Fun, and Family: The Best of Summer
Summer is a time for adventure, relaxation, and making memories. But as a family, it’s also an opportunity to deepen your faith, grow together spiritually, and teach your kids the power of a Christ-centered life in every season.
If you’re wondering how to balance fun and faith this summer, here are some practical ways to make your summer intentional, focused on Jesus, and full of love for each other.
1. Start Each Day with Prayer & Devotions
Faith starts early
Make it a habit to begin each day with prayer and a short devotion. It doesn’t have to be long or complicated—just a few minutes to thank God for the day, pray for each other, and reflect on a scripture that will guide you throughout the day.
You can use a family devotion book, an app, or even the Bible to help pick your verses. Starting the day with this foundation sets a Christ-centered tone for everything that follows.
2. Serve as a Family
Jesus came to serve, not be served
Summer is the perfect time to step outside of your own routine and serve others. Whether it’s organizing a meal for a family in need, volunteering at a local food bank, or spending time with elderly neighbors, serving together is a powerful way to teach your children the heart of Jesus.
Plan a weekly service project or look for opportunities to give back to your community. Use it as a conversation starter about why serving is such an important part of following Christ.
3. Create a Family Mission Statement for the Summer
Setting Christ-centered intentions
Sit down together as a family and discuss what kind of summer you want to have. What values do you want to emphasize? How can you make this time count for the Kingdom?
Your mission statement can be simple: “This summer, we will love one another, serve others, and grow in our faith.” You can keep it posted on the fridge or have it as a reminder in your car.
Having a mission statement helps everyone stay focused and gives your summer activities direction.
4. Make Faith-Focused Traditions
New family rituals that point to Christ
Start a new tradition this summer that is centered around your faith. Here are a few ideas:
- Sunday afternoon walks: Go for a nature walk, discussing God’s creation and how we see His hand in everything.
- Family worship time: Whether it’s singing your favorite worship songs or simply sharing something you’re thankful for, take a few minutes each week to praise God as a family.
- Bible Verse Memory Challenge: Choose a new verse each week to memorize and reflect on.
These traditions will help you bond as a family while keeping Christ at the center of your time together.
5. Get Outdoors & Explore God’s Creation
Jesus was often in nature
Take advantage of the warm weather by exploring the outdoors. Go hiking, have a picnic in the park, or take a trip to a national park or beach. As you enjoy nature, talk about how God created everything, from the trees to the ocean, and how we are part of His masterpiece.
If you’re taking a road trip, consider listening to worship music, a Christian audiobook, or an audio devotion along the way to keep the spiritual conversations going.
6. Set Time Aside for Family Fun with a Purpose
Let fun be a reflection of your joy in Christ
It’s not just about doing spiritual activities—it’s also about creating a joyful, loving atmosphere in your family. Go to the beach, take a bike ride, or have a family movie night with a Christ-centered movie.
You can even have “fun with a purpose” days for the tiny kiddos: plan activities that teach important biblical lessons. For example, a day of water games could be used to talk about the Living Water of Jesus, or a family hike could focus on endurance and trusting God.
7. Use Summer as a Time for Spiritual Growth
Dive deeper into God’s Word
Summer can be a great opportunity to dig deeper into scripture as a family. Pick a Bible reading plan or follow a topical study. Even young children can participate with illustrated Bible stories or age-appropriate devotionals.
Consider adding a “summer Bible club” element to your routine, where the kids can lead discussions or share what they’ve learned each week.
8. Build a Family Prayer Wall or Jar
A visual reminder to pray together
Get creative with a prayer wall or prayer jar. You can write prayer requests on slips of paper and stick them to the wall or place them in the jar. Each week, take time to pray over the requests as a family.
This not only keeps the focus on prayer but also shows your kids that God cares about every detail of our lives.
9. Explore Christian Music & Podcasts
Fill the car with worship
When you’re on the go, fill the car with Christian music or podcasts that bring you closer to Jesus. There are many great family-friendly worship songs, Bible stories, or faith-based podcasts that are perfect for road trips, errands, or even while cooking dinner.
A few good podcast ideas include:
10. Wrap Up the Summer with a Service Project or Family Missions Trip
Give back in a big way
Consider capping off the summer with a mission trip or larger service project, whether locally or abroad. If travel isn’t feasible, find an extended service project to engage in—perhaps painting a church or organizing a community event. Know of a family in need? Put together a basket of goodies and drop it off to them.
Serving together strengthens family bonds and helps your children experience the power of loving others as Jesus did.
Summer Is for Family & Deepening Faith
Summer is a unique time for families to connect, recharge, and grow in faith. By planning intentional Christ-centered activities, serving together, and creating lasting traditions, you’re not only making memories—you’re also setting the foundation for a deeper relationship with Christ.
Pray for wisdom as you plan your summer and ask God to guide you in making this season meaningful for your family, rooted in His love and grace.
