Family Worship
What Is Family Worship?
Family worship is simply taking time as a family to worship God at home in a family setting. The time may include song, prayer, study, Scripture reading/memory and words of encouragement and support.
Why Is Family Worship a Good Idea?
God has given families the opportunity and responsibility to be the primary venues of worship and education. We certainly wish to teach our children and families Scriptural truths, but we also must model for them the act of worship.
Proverbs 22:6 “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”
Ephesians 6:4 “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 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 upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates.”
As parents, modeling faith and raising Godly children should be our home’s highest priorities.
What Are The Keys For Family Devotions?
- Find a time that is best for the whole family, and then stick to that time. Some families have worship following the evening meal or before bedtime.
- Two elements that should be included are reading the Bible, a Bible story, or devotional and praying together.
- Be sure that the youngest member of the family can understand most of what is communicated. Make the time relevant to children, remembering their level of understanding and attention span.
- Have everyone take part, perhaps through answering questions and praying sentence prayers. Remind children that prayer is talking to God like you would your best friend.
- Pray for current needs…even those smallest things that are of concern to those in the family. Be sure to include prayers of thanksgiving.
- Be flexible. Vary the format. Use music, songs, memorize scripture verses, act out stories, watch a Christian video, etc. If possible, use a Bible storybook that includes the whole Bible, so children, as well as adults, can learn what is in the whole Bible.
- If you need materials or ideas, check the church library.
What Are The Benefits Of Family Worship?
- Brings the whole family together around God’s Word.
- Teaches the Bible to children (and adults).
- Builds a Biblical worldview.
- Builds trust and open communication between parents and children.
- Builds faith in God as prayers are answered.
- Children learn how to worship as they observe their parents.
- Helps children to understand the plan of salvation and the process of discipleship.
- Parents may have the joy of leading their children to receive Christ.
“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15
Resources for Family Worship
In our church library:
A Young Child’s Garden of Christian Virtues by Susan Lawrence (for families with children ages 3-10)
The Book for Children (Bible stories—very good)
The Broken Promise
Children’ Bible In Stories (excellent)
Children’s Stories of the Bible (Old & New Testaments)
Family Devotional Builder ( 50 weeks of Devotional Resources for Elementary Age Children and Their Parents) by Karen H. Whiting
Family Devotions With School Age Children (creative guidelines for Christian parents)
Family Walk Again (50 weekly plans for Family devotions for older children)
God Keeps His Promise (for Kindergarten children)
God’s Wonderful World of Words (Devotions for Families with children Ages 9-13)
Heritage Builders Family Devotional Guides
How to Disciple Your Children
The Jubilee Illustrated Family Bible (based on the NIV Bible, suitable for older children, teens and adults)
Little Visits With God by Jahsmann Simon (for preschool and elementary age children)
The Living Bible Story Book
365 Meditations for Families by Sally D. Sharpe, Ed. (Includes helps for all ages in the family)
More Little Visits With God (for preschool and elementary age children)
My Heart—Christ’s Home
Peanut Butter Promises – Nap ‘n’ Snack Devotions by Robin Currie (for younger children)
The Power of Family
Stories to Share by Patricia St. John (contemporary stories—excellent) Sai
Tell Me The Story of Jesus
Training Children by Gustava Wonderly