Our 24 Family Ways: A Family Devotional Guide

I want so many things for my children but words don’t always come. This helps so much and is so simple.

I originally gave this four stars, but if I could I'd lower my rating because the more I think about it, the more certain aspects of it bother me. It is clear that Clay Clarkson has truly the best of intentions. And it's difficult to critique a devotional book honestly when you agree with the mission -- just not the delivery. I think devotions are a vital part of raising your family. I also think that breaking it down into these sort of "Mission Statements" about the legacy you want your children to take into the world gives the devotions relevance and obvious significance. I like the family ways Clarkson chose, because I think they give great guidance, and we will definitely return to these as my children get older.It's just... again sorry if it sounds mean... a little goofy. I don't know how many times I have asked one of the starter questions, and either had my family respond with either "WHAT??!!!" or laughter. Now, we're not a particularly cynical or sarcastic bunch, it's just how these are worded. One of the earliest examples from Family Way 1, "If you had a 'pocket parent' card that played a short digital message every 30 minutes, what would you want to hear? Not hear?" This was just responded to with a great big "HUH???" Surely there is a better way to word these. Another, from Family Way 6, "What would you think about a child who had an adult body? Why?" And from 7 "Sing an 'Amen' chorus loudly with off-pitch disharmony. Then sing it in unison and with harmony. What is the difference?" First off, you have to know an 'Amen' chorus tune to know what disharmony to sing. Also, you have to kids old enough to know harmony and disharmony. I just had my kids sing a song we all knew the wrong way.But what irritates me is that I think some of the "lessons" are way off. Sometimes dangerously so. For example, from Family Way 8, day 4, Clarkson paraphrases 1 John 4:19-21 as John reflecting "the teachings of Jesus about loving our fellow Christians." Really? Just "our fellow Christians"? That's not what I'd taken from this passage all the times I'd read it before. And if that's the case, then our mission wouldn't reach very far. I don't think it's just a typo, though, because in the "Speak to God" section for the same day, he writes again, "Ask God to help you love your family and other CHRISTIANS" (emphasis mine). No, we are expected to love the non-Christians too, to demonstrate Christ-like love to them.The Story Starters are also quite annoying. In fact, I just skip over them. It's so obvious what the answer is supposed to be that they don't really lend to discussion.The Bible verses are usually good, though, and back up the Family Ways appropriately, and that is the most important issue. So I do think that this is ultimately a good purchase. Just be prepared to skip over or modify and paraphrase the questions. Or maybe laugh... that's good too.

Don’t judge the book by the cover. The bare risk in it is great. I love the questions and it works really well for multi-age families. My only “complaint” is that the look (cover, font, illustrations, etc) look like they were never updated after the first publishing. It’s not a big deal as the content is great, but I have to tell my friends specifically that it’s a great book for today’s generation despite how it looks.

This book provided meaningful conversation starters for our family. It helped shape who we are as a family and who we want to be. I would highly recommend this book.

I plan to use this book to disciple my grandchildren. It contains everything needed for great and FUN teaching! It uses simple on sofa but there is plenty of Bible to back up the concepts. You can easily tailor it to the ages or needs of the children you are working with! I homeschooled my three boys and have rarely seen such great material in such an easily-accessed format.

We love this devotional. It’s very straight forward and easy to do. We do it with our breakfast and have intentional conversation. This is how we start our homeschool days!

This is a very helpful tool. The schedule and material is well laid out, easy to follow, and customizable. I love all things Sally Clarkson. I wish I had gotten this earlier. I love all the verses that are used with the ways. I appreciate all of the thought provoking questions and ways to relate the scripture to real life. We have been using this for four weeks with our 4, 8, 8, and 10 year old. I especially like the focused prayer suggestions. Great addition to any home.

This is a wonderful resource for parents! I didn't grow up in the church and didn't grow spiritually in the previous churches that I went to so I wasn't equipped to dig deep into God's word with my children. I am so grateful God sent this book to me. I really see the fruit in my kids💗

I love the Clarksons and I brought this thinking it would be suitable for an 8 year old, but it seemed too mature for him. It would be better if there were a preview of the book or a more specific overview to decide if age appropriate

Fantastic book. We really enjoying our devotion, family conversation.

Well written and easy to follow. Highly recommend.

Love this devotional, keeps my everyone talking and involved.

I love this book. It is easy to use and involves everyone. It has made teaching our kids Godly character easy. It also keeps us on track. God bless you Clarkson Family.