A Beginner’s Guide to Family Worship (Preview)

Chapter One:

The fact that you are reading this means that you are interested in family worship. Perhaps you are even a little cautious as well. You’re not alone. Evangelicals are beginning to rediscover the great blessing of family worship. Family worship is simply coming together as a family and worshipping God in the home. In the same way we come together for a time of corporate worship in the church, we also come together in the home for a time of family worship that involves prayer, reading scripture, and singing songs.

I admit that it may seem a little intimidating at first, but don’t let it be. The key is to start small and finish big. It’s worth it because your children really do want to know about God. The truth is your home is like a little church. Christian parents can lead their home in family worship. It’s really not that hard. Teaching your kids about your faith and sharing in a time of family worship isn’t just for trained theologians or pastors with kids. It’s for all of us, including single parents, working parents, and parents who are new to the faith. Trust me. If my wife and I can do it, you can do it too.

Don’t Leave Family Discipleship Up to the Church
Many Christians believe that it is the church’s responsibility to raise their children in the faith. Too often, people think that the church is more like a baby-sitting service to watch our kids for a few hours a week. Nothing could be further from the truth. While church is important, the Bible tells us that the home is the primary place of learning the Bible and giving moral instruction. More than ever, it is time for us to step back and rethink the importance and value of worship in the home.

The call to “make disciples” begins in our homes first. It is our spiritual responsibility as parents, to teach our children about the faith. The Bible tells parents, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). As Christian parents, we should desire for our children to have a firm foundation and grow up to love Jesus and know what the Bible says about our lives.

Using This Study
This little book has been prepared as an introduction to family worship and to help you teach your children basic Christian beliefs and to memorize Scripture. This can be both fun and educational. The first section has short Scripture passages for you to learn with your children. The next section has longer passages such as the Ten Commandments and the 23rd Psalm. There is a sample Catechism for Boys and Girls with questions and answers that will help you learn basic Christian doctrine with your children. Lastly, there is a list of family prayers and songs that can be used at various times of the day.