4 Ways to Get Back into Church and Spiritual Practices after a Busy Summer

Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power. Psalm 145:4

There’s a good chance everyone in the family has sidelined their usual spiritual practices for summer fun, which might mean that you watched a quick sermon on TV or an electronic device on Sundays, or possibly not at all. Maybe your summer spiritual time was just a quick family prayer before a meal. Bible study groups often take a summer break, so the family may not meet with fellow believers over the summer.

As the end of summer approaches and school begins, routines re-engage. It’s time to get back to prioritizing Sunday school and church services. So having a family time of reviewing the summer over pictures and stories of all the fun and memories is a nice way to transition from those lazy-hazy-crazy days of summer back to the familiarity of a stabilizing balanced schedule. 

If your church has multiple services, ask the family which one they would prefer to attend. Make it a celebration Sunday and go out to lunch afterwards to a favorite family restaurant. 

Remember that as parents and grandparents, you’re modeling what’s most important in the life of Christians. God wants us to enjoy ourselves and have fun, but He also wants us to spend time with Him and spiritually grow. God never takes time off during the summer. He’s always waiting and wanting to spend time with us no matter what the season. 

Your children and grandchildren are learning by your actions what takes priority in your life: God’s house or your house? Teach by example that church is a privilege we should never take for granted.

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Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 1 Cor. 12:27

As you return to church and personal devotional time, set small achievable goals that help you transition into fall with a new since of restored purpose. Your church is probably starting new Bible study groups that might interest you to join. Life groups may have taken the summer off. If you’re already a member of one, offer to host a potluck at your house to decide what study the group wants to do. If you’re not a member of a life group, fall is the perfect time to connect with one. This will also help your private spiritual time with God as you work on the Bible study or read the book the group you join has selected. 

Maybe volunteer at church as a greeter. That’s fun to do as a couple or even as a family. Or research where the church could use you. The more involved you become in serving, the more committed you’ll feel to attending and participating at church. 

The church needs us to serve. Church isn’t taking in selfishly; it's giving out selflessly. We don't attend church solely for our own benefit. We’re also there to serve the body of Christ, our spiritual family. Christ wants us to care more about others than our own convenience or inconvenience. We use the spiritual gifts and talents the Lord has given us to benefit the church (1 Cor. 12:12-22).

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In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. Psalm 5:3

Many devotionals and Bible reading plans are annual, but nothing says you have to start in January and end in December. You can set your own reading plan that works with your schedule. What’s nice with a plan is that it keeps you on track daily.

I like to read the Bible every year, but my summer had many interruptions, not all fun, as my husband was recovering from his second spinal surgery in six months. I was so exhausted caring for him and spending time with the company that came to help, that I got two months behind in my Bible reading schedule. When that happens, we can sometimes feel defeated and decide to give up and try again next year. Instead, I started listening to the months of Scriptures that I had missed. Using earbuds, I listened to an audio Bible version when I took walks, went to the gym, made dinner... and just yesterday, I was caught up. I’m so glad I didn’t quit. 

Another way to start your day spiritually is to join a morning online prayer group. One I’ve enjoyed is Lift: Daily Prayer with Pastor Jack Hibbs from Calvary Chino Hills Church. He started January 1, 2025, doing a daily live ten-minute Scripture prayer at 5:00 AM Pacific Time. You can watch it anytime and leave prayer requests. I’ve only missed two days of praying with him this year. Dutch Sheets does a Give Him 15 daily prayer every morning. This practice is an awesome way to start your day, and it feels like you’re praying with a community of believers. If this sounds appealing to you, do some research or visit one of the two I’ve mentioned.

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As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. James 5:11

Studies show it takes 3 weeks for behavior to become second nature. So you won’t wake up the first day of fall and suddenly be back to your old spiritual practices. Give yourself grace, but persevere. If you miss a few days of devotional time, don’t berate yourself. It happens. Just start again.

Getting back into church takes planning. Most of us have calendars or daily planners to be sure we don’t miss appointments or special events. What could be more important than time with God. Decide what time works best for you to have devotions or a quiet time with the Lord and put it on your calendar. The same with church attendance. What service time do you want to attend? Schedule it every Sunday so you can plan other things around it.

We usually make time for what’s important to us, and what could be more important than fellowshipping and worshipping with fellow believers, enjoying prayer time, and reading our Bible. These habits will become so ingrained that next summer you’ll continue them no matter how busy it gets. 

Good advice I once heard is “Never get too busy where spending time with Jesus isn’t in your daily plans.”

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All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals . . . with great joy and generosity—all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:42, 46-47)

One winter Sunday morning, hubby was sick! If our steep driveway wasn’t covered in ice, that wouldn’t be a big deal. I’d hop in the car and head off to church by myself. But I hadn't driven our new car in snow and ice and didn’t want my first off-roading attempt to be without him.

I could stay home and watch church online or on television. I’d done that for more Sundays than I’d care to remember when a concussion, kidney surgery, three eye surgeries, and a broken wrist had kept me home. I was desperate to go to church. 

Whew, friends with a jeep rescued me that Sunday.

Why was it so important for me to go to church? While homebound, I’d watched a number of excellent church services online and on TV . . . but it’s not the same as worshipping together with my church family. Church is more than listening to a sermon; it’s an experience and an exchange with other believers. It’s where you help others grow, partake in ministries, serve, give of your talents and spiritual gifts, mentor, and receive mentoring.

When I walked through the church doors that winter Sunday, I felt the presence of the Holy Spirt. I immediately realized what had been missing watching services at home. 

My brothers and sisters in Christ were missing. 

Singing, worshipping, and praying together were missing. 

Seeing each other’s smiles and, yes, sometimes, tears were missing.

Church is not just the sermon. Church is the gathering together of God’s people! 

Yes, Jesus is in our heart and believers have a personal relationship with Him, which we experience wherever we are, but we don’t experience the Christian life alone. That’s why God said it’s not good to be alone and there are so many Scriptures reminding us to encourage and support each other. 

Online church absolutely is a tremendous benefit for people who can’t attend church because of physical or transportation issues, out of town, working, or need to stay home with a sick child or family member. It’s a wonderful tool in an emergency.

There’s always going to be a time when we can’t make it to church, but it should be the exception, not the rule. The tendency today is to isolate ourselves in front of electronics where we interact with a screen instead of each other. A clicker or mouse replaces friendly face-to-face interaction. 

I’ve heard testimonies of people saved by watching a preacher on television or online, which is wonderful. One of the surest ways to stay true to your faith as a believer is joining a church to spiritually grow and mature with other believers who encourage you and keep you accountable.

A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! Psalm 84:10 NLT

“Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives.” Colossians 3:16

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Heb. 10:24-25

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