Winter months bring colder temperatures and keep us inside more. We all tend to rely on our devices a little more for entertainment and to pass the time. Our video games and apps keep our fingers busy but can they also give us an opportunity to talk about faith and the things of God?

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 charges us to talk about faith as we go about life, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the way, when you lie down and when you get up.”

Let’s talk about the things of God as we play video games:

• That’s why I like it! -Have you ever wondered what makes someone like the games they play? Or has anyone ever asked that question of you and a game you like to play? Take some time to ask your family what makes them like the game(s) they play. What is it about a particular game that holds their interest or challenges them? Or do they like it because it doesn’t challenge them in the same ways life does? Whatever the reason, discuss it. Then talk about the things you like that God has given you to do every day. Do you think God wants us to enjoy our daily tasks? (See Colossians 3:17 & 1 Corinthians 10:31). What attitude should we have when doing these tasks?
• The Goal-Understanding the goal of each game we or our children are playing is important. Are we matching candies, fighting bad guys, building the ultimate structure? No matter what the goal, discuss goals in life. Include our goals as Christians. One goal is mentioned in 2 Corinthians 5:9 “So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.” Together, discuss how we can please God.
• Play Together-You might not be interested in the games your family members play, but playing together can be a great opportunity. Play a video game or app together then talk about what else you like to do together. What are the benefits of having people around us in our home? At church? Why do you think God gave us people to be around us?
• Collecting Treasure-In almost any game you are collecting something—coins, tokens, points, treasure—all to save for later use. Matthew 6:19-20 says, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” Talk about what it means to store up treasure in heaven.

There’s nothing in life that we can’t use to have faith talks around. That’s exactly what God meant when He said to talk about faith as we go about life in Deuteronomy 6.