Regular family worship remains uncommon in Christian households. Even within the finest of churches, a significant number of the most faithful families fail to have a time of worship together consistently.
Reason would tell us that God deserves daily worship from each family in their home, and although there are few direct commands in Scripture, some key passages are explicit.
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates” (Deut. 6:4–9).
In addition, family worship provides husbands with a dedicated moment to aid in the sanctification of their wives (Ephesians 5:25–26), and a practical opportunity for fathers to instruct their children in the gospel and its implications (Ephesians 6:4).
Five things to remember when conducting family worship
- Start Small and Simple: Begin with a short Bible reading, a hymn or psalm, and close in prayer. As you get more comfortable you may ask older children to get involved.
- Be Consistent: Choose a regular time each day that works for your family, such as after dinner or before bed, and stick to it as much as possible.
- Involve Everyone: Encourage each family member to participate, whether by reading Scripture, praying, or choosing something to sing. This helps everyone feel included and engaged.
- Keep It Age-Appropriate: Tailor your worship time to the ages of your children. Use a narratives for younger kids, and ask questions that are suitable for their level of understanding.
- Be Patient and Graceful: Don’t worry if it doesn’t go perfectly at first. Be patient with yourself and your children, and focus on making it a meaningful time of worship and committing the family to God.
The challenge of family worship
One of the primary challenges of family worship is making it profitable. While the reading of Scripture has its own sanctifying influence, we all understand that a few meaningful comments can make the Bible come alive.
Few fathers have the ability to comment and apply every part of Scripture, and it’s difficult to find the time to do the necessary study on a regular basis.
For that reason, Pastor Armen began going through the Scriptures to help facilitate family worship in his Family Worship Companion.
The Family Worship Companion offers practical, Christ-centered, and engaging videos on each chapter of the Bible. It is a new and ongoing project. Currently, Pastor Armen is completing Genesis. We invite you to subscribe for free and join the journey through the Bible.
Each video is around 10 minutes. Be assured, regular exposure to God’s Word in the home can be one of the most unifying family habits, and a life-transforming experience for any child.