Every parent feels it. They know they should be studying the Bible with their children and just don’t know how to take the next step. So, the years tick away and the guilt piles up.
And it’s not just the problem of being too busy. For many parents, they just don’t know where to begin. Should parents just start in Genesis? Should they read a chapter a day? And how do they communicate the lesson to their children?
Of course, there are plenty of devotionals out there. But most of them are for either the parents or their children. The former is often too heavy for the kids. And the latter is often too light for the parents.
My wife Melissa and I have struggled with these same challenges over the years. Our three children are now grown, but we remember having to come up with a plan and stick to it during the busy seasons of life.
This is why we are so excited about our forthcoming book, The Good News Family Devotional: 52 Weeks in the Gospel of Mark. It is published by Harvest House and releases on May 5, 2026.
In this new book, we try to fill exactly the needs we felt as young parents, and we know that many parents still feel today. Here are a few things that make this book distinctive.
First, it is written by both a mom and a dad. If you scour the ranks of devotionals out there, there are many written by men, and many written by women, but fewer written by both. Moreover, we have different ministry strengths. I am able to bring my background as a biblical scholar to the devotional, and Melissa is able to bring her background in discipleship, women’s ministry, and years leading (and writing) Bible studies.
Second, it is written for both parents and kids. The main body of the devotional is designed to nurture and strengthen the parents, but this is followed by essential tools that allow the parents to pass along the material easily to their children. This includes helpful summaries, the “big idea” of the passage, discussion-generating questions (for both younger and older children), and guidance on prayer and application.
Third, it focuses on just one book of the Bible. Picking just one book makes the family devotional time more achievable. You are not trying to study the whole Bible in a year. And this allows the study to go deeper, giving more time for reflection and application.
Fourth, it focuses on a Gospel. For family devotionals, a Gospel is always a good place to do family devotionals because of the focus on the ministry of Jesus himself. For why we picked Mark, see here!
We are also thankful for the key ministry leaders (and friends) who took the time to endorse the book:
“The Good News Family Devotional is that rare resource that’s both biblically rich and simple enough for the whole family to engage together. Each chapter helps parents go deeper into Scripture while giving kids clear truths they can understand and remember. The result is that everyone–parents and children alike–grows together in the gospel. I’m grateful for this resource and excited to lead my own family through it.”
–Jeremy Treat (PhD, Wheaton College) is pastor for Preaching and Vision at Reality LA in Los Angeles, and professor of theology at Biola University. He is the author of The Crucified King, Seek First, and The Atonement.
“As a pastor, I’ve always been captivated by Martin Luther’s insistence that in his preaching he focused on the younger members of his congregation even more than the older. Two incredible teachers, Mike and Melissa Kruger, have done that in this wonderful devotional for families. They take the deep, beautiful, mysterious truths of the gospel and put them down where our children can grasp them. They’ll be captivated and you’ll be blessed as you share with your children the most accessible of the Gospels, the Gospel of Mark.”
–J.D. Greear (PhD), pastor, The Summit Church, Raleigh-Durham, NC
“I deeply appreciate how The Good News Family Devotional is designed. Parents are not expected to come as experts in order to lead their families in discipleship. Instead, Michael and Melissa Kruger thoughtfully guide parents through Scripture themselves–cultivating a deeper love for God, a richer understanding of His Word, and confidence to share that truth with their children. This resource will undoubtedly bless countless families seeking to grow together in Christ.”
–Amy Gannett, Founder of Tiny Theologians and Bible Study Schoolhouse
“There is so much to love about this family devotional. First, it is doable! Over the course of a year, a family can realistically work through the book of Mark, biting it off in small chunks. Second, it’s meaty without being heavy. Mike and Melissa present parents not only a brief explanation of the weekly passage but also a simple central point about Jesus to drive home to their kids. This is a resource that will get your family talking about what matters most, or really who matters most, Jesus Christ.”
–Nancy Guthrie, Bible teacher and author
“This book is such a fresh take on family devotions! The Krugers lead families through the Gospel of Mark in a way that helps every member of the family grasp the gospel story together. It’s clear this comes from real-life experience and deep biblical insight. The Good News Family Devotional is a helpful, doable guide for growing in faith alongside one another.”
–Emily A. Jensen, coauthor of Risen Motherhood and Gospel Mom
“When it comes to training our kids in Bible literacy, knowing how to start is half the battle. The Krugers are here to help. The Good News Family Devotional provides not just a starting point but a sustainable strategy for drawing your family into substantive discussions about the Bible, offering a method for conversational learning that connects to daily living. This is a much-needed resource, and hopefully the first of many of its kind.”
–Jen Wilkin, author and Bible teacher
In light of the forthcoming release of our family devotional, I will be starting a short blog series in the month of April, walking through some key lessons on parenting that we’ve learned over the years. Stay tuned!