7 Simple Ways To Make Your Household Happier and Holier In 30 Days Or Less
Spiritual growth is a lifelong journey, not a quick fix. There are no shortcuts to becoming a mature believer—it takes commitment, patience, and perseverance. Jesus made this clear when He said, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me" (Luke 9:23). Growth in Christ is a daily decision to walk in obedience.
While spiritual maturity requires time and effort, there are simple and intentional steps you can take to make your home a place where both holiness and joy flourish. Implementing these habits won't instantly transform everything, but over the next 30 days, you'll see real changes if you stick with them.
Here are seven practical ways to make your household happier and holier.
1. Prioritize Church Participation Over Other Activities
In today’s culture, it’s easy for church to take a backseat to sports, hobbies, and other commitments. Many families find themselves so busy that Sunday worship becomes optional rather than essential. Yet, Scripture emphasizes the importance of regularly gathering with other believers. Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages us, "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another."
Consistent participation in the life of your local church does more than just provide biblical teaching—it immerses your family in a supportive community. Your children need to see that faith is not a once-a-week checkbox but a central part of life. Make corporate worship a non-negotiable priority. Get involved in other areas too: join a small group, serve in a ministry, and encourage your family to engage fully.
When the temptation comes to skip church for a game or a weekend trip, ask yourself, "What message does this send to my family about the importance of God?" Prioritizing church reminds your household that Jesus is the cornerstone of your lives.
2. Intentionally Discuss Spiritual Matters
Faith is meant to be a daily conversation, not a Sunday-only topic. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 lays out a clear model for integrating spiritual discussions into everyday life: "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."
Create space for these conversations in your daily routines. While driving to school, ask your children how you can pray for them. During dinner, discuss how God is working in your lives. When you face difficulties, take a moment to point your family to Scripture and talk about how God calls you to respond. These conversations don't need to be lengthy or formal; what matters is consistency.
If you find it hard to start spiritual discussions, try reading a short Bible passage together each day. Ask simple questions like, "What does this teach us about God?" or "How can we live this out today?" Over time, these small moments of intentionality will build a strong spiritual foundation for your household.
3. Rest Regularly and Get Plenty of Sleep
Rest is a spiritual discipline that our fast-paced world often overlooks. When you're exhausted, it's easier to become irritable, anxious, and spiritually numb. God designed us to need rest, and the Bible repeatedly emphasizes its value. Psalm 127:2 says, "It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep."
Creating a restful home requires intentional choices. Set limits on evening activities so your family can wind down. Establish a bedtime routine that encourages relaxation and gratitude. Protect the Sabbath by dedicating a day to worship and restorative rest.
Jesus Himself modeled this when He told His disciples, "Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while" (Mark 6:31). Following His example will not only benefit your physical well-being but also make space for spiritual renewal.
4. Ask Older, Wiser Christians for Advice
We are not meant to walk the Christian life alone. Scripture repeatedly emphasizes the value of seeking counsel from those who are spiritually mature. Proverbs 11:14 states, "Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety."
Think of someone in your church or community who has demonstrated faithfulness in their walk with Christ. Make a point to reach out and ask for their advice when you face difficult decisions. Invite them into your family's life—ask them to share their experiences and wisdom with you and your children.
Seeking godly counsel does not mean giving up your responsibility to make decisions, but it does provide perspective rooted in biblical truth. Their wisdom can protect you from mistakes and guide you through the complexities of family life.
5. Read Long Portions of the Bible in One Sitting
While short devotions can be helpful, there is immense value in reading Scripture in larger sections. When you read the Bible in context, you better understand its overarching narrative and how individual passages fit together. Paul told Timothy, "Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching" (1 Timothy 4:13).
Set aside time each week to read a full chapter or even an entire book of the Bible. Consider doing this as a family. For example, you could read through the Gospel of John together over a few weeks. Encourage each family member to share what stands out to them.
This practice helps your family move beyond isolated verses to see the richness of God's Word as a whole. It also cultivates a hunger for deeper understanding and allows the Holy Spirit to shape your hearts through Scripture.
6. Encourage Someone Spiritually Every Week
One of the simplest ways to grow in faith is by encouraging others. Hebrews 3:13 urges, "But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called 'today,' that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin."
Identify someone in your church or community who needs spiritual encouragement. Commit to reaching out once a week. Send a thoughtful text, write a handwritten note, or offer to pray with them. This small act of kindness not only strengthens others but also keeps your own heart soft and responsive to the Lord.
As a family, brainstorm people who might need encouragement. Get your children involved by having them draw pictures or write notes to friends or church members. Encouraging others consistently will create a culture of compassion in your home.
7. Pray Short, Simple Prayers Throughout the Day
Prayer doesn’t have to be elaborate to be effective. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 simply says, "Pray without ceasing." This suggests that prayer should be a regular part of our daily rhythm.
Encourage your family to develop the habit of short, spontaneous prayers. When you're driving to work or waiting in line, offer a quick prayer of thanksgiving or ask for guidance. In the car, pray for your children's day. Before bedtime, thank God for His provision.
Teach your family that prayer is simply talking to God. You don’t need the perfect words—you just need a heart open to Him. These brief, consistent prayers help your household remain connected to God throughout the day.
Start Small, Stay Faithful
Spiritual growth takes time, but small, consistent efforts will bear fruit. Pick one or two of these habits to focus on this month. Trust that as you faithfully pursue these simple steps, God will work in your family in ways you can't yet see. Remember Philippians 1:6: "He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."
Begin today, and watch how the Lord transforms your household in the days to come.
A Refocused Family
Emily sat quietly at the kitchen table, watching her four kids scatter after dinner. Laughter echoed down the hall as her two high schoolers playfully argued over whose turn it was to shower first, while the middle school twins disappeared into their rooms, faces glued to their phones. Her husband, Jake, flipped through the channels on the TV, pausing briefly on a news story before settling on a football game.
On the surface, things seemed fine. Busy. Normal. But beneath the noise and routine, Emily felt a gnawing ache. They went to church most Sundays, prayed before meals, and even volunteered now and then—but something was missing. Her family seemed to be floating through their faith, and if she was honest, they looked more like the world around them than a family anchored in Christ.
That night, as she washed dishes, a thought pressed on her heart: What if we made small changes—just seven little things—to help us live out our faith more fully?
The next morning, over coffee, she shared her thoughts with Jake. "I don’t want to wake up one day and realize we raised our kids to be good people but not godly ones," she admitted. "What if we try a few simple changes for a month?"
Jake nodded slowly. "What do you have in mind?"
Together, they came up with seven small but intentional shifts. They committed to attending church every Sunday, no matter what. They started reading through the Gospel of John as a family, one chapter at a time. Emily began asking her kids about their day and how she could pray for them. Jake led short bedtime prayers and checked in with an older man from church for wisdom. They made space for rest, limited screen time, and encouraged each other with kind words.
At first, it felt awkward. The kids rolled their eyes during family Bible time, Jake turned down free tickets to an NFL football game which would have made them break their church commitment, and the twins had to miss Sunday travel ball practice. But they stuck with it.
By the second week, something shifted. Their dinner conversations deepened. One night, their oldest son, Ethan, shared how a Bible verse they read together helped him handle a tough situation at school. The twins started joining in prayers without being asked. Jake surprised everyone by turning off the TV early to play board games instead.
Over the month, their home felt lighter. Arguments didn’t linger as long. Laughter came easier. And one night, as Emily tucked her daughter in, she whispered, "I like how our family feels different. It's like we're closer." Tears pricked Emily's eyes. God was working—not through dramatic changes, but through small, faithful steps.
Thirty days later, Emily and Jake sat on the porch, watching the sun dip behind the trees. "It doesn't feel like we're just going through the motions anymore," Jake said quietly. "I didn’t realize how much we were drifting until we started paying attention."
Emily smiled, grateful. Their family wasn’t perfect, but they were growing—happier, holier, and a little more like Jesus every day.
This could be your household.
Are you ready for some further encouragement and challenging? Can I talk you into reading my book, True Discipleship? Check out this short article about what the book is about: