What does the Bible say about family worship?
God cares about the spiritual condition of families, because parents lead children in what to believe. He promises to “‘turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers’” (Malachi 4:6). God has designed families to be places of godly unity that will pass His truth on from one generation to the next (Joel 1:3; Psalm 71:18, 78:5–7; Isaiah 38:19; Psalm 145:4; Deuteronomy 4:9–10).
There are many Bible examples of parents who followed God’s instruction to be the spiritual leaders in their homes:
– Abraham instructed his household to walk in the way of God (Genesis 18:19)
– Jacob led his family in confessing sin and turning to God (Genesis 35:2–3)
– Job prayed daily for his children’s salvation (Job 1:4–5)
– Manoah sought instruction from God for raising Samson (Judges 13:8)
– Heman, a Temple musician, taught his children to praise God (1 Chronicles 25:6–9)
– Fathers led their families in prayer (Acts 21:5–6)
– Timothy was taught the Scriptures from infancy by his mother and grandmother (2 Timothy 1:5, 3:15)
We are not to rely only on church services to train our children. Parents are responsible to“bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). You may feel like you would not be a natural leader of family worship, but God promises He will be by your side to help you. When we begin something new, it might be difficult at first; but it gets easier, and the reward is worth the effort.
Family worship can include many creative activities; but at its core are two essentials.
“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” John 15:7
First, we are to abide in Him—remaining connected to Him through prayer. And second, His words are to abide in us—listening through reading and talking about Scripture. Simply put, hear from God, and respond to God. In the same way, in each family worship we should do two things: read from God’s Word, and pray.
Here are some other principles we can put into practice:
– Make your family worship a consistent, daily appointment. It doesn’t need to be long or complicated, but it should be regular. Let your family know by your actions that family worship is an important commitment every day. This may take some planning and a change of priorities. Like our daily need for physical food, spiritual food is important for individuals and for families. As Jesus taught us to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11).
– If possible, parents should work together in the teaching of children:“My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother” (Proverbs 1:8).
– Think about family worship not just as an isolated time in the morning and evening. Let it be the foundation for the way you live throughout the day. Look for frequent opportunities to talk about God’s truths. “‘And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates’” (Deuteronomy 6:6–9).
– Make family worship a positive time of praising God. Don’t use it as a way to point out faults or reprimand children. If you can, sing a short song of praise. Look for God’s blessings and count them together. “The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents of the righteous; the right hand of the Lord does valiantly” (Psalm 118:15).
– Lead your children in prayer. If they don’t want to pray, that’s alright; but set an example for them. Pray for the Holy Spirit, ask for forgiveness on behalf of your family, pray for people, needs, and ministry concerns your family cares about. Jesus taught us the correct attitude of prayer in Matthew 6:6–8, and we can teach it to our children.
– Have things in your home that reinforce the teachings of God’s Word. Consider the decorations, the books on your shelves, the music you play, what you watch, even the food you eat. God gave Israel instructions on how to live so that their lives would prompt their children to ask, “‘What do you mean by this service?’” (Exodus 12:26) and “‘What are these stones?’” (Joshua 4:21). These questions prompted a retelling of God’s goodness. Let your home be an illustration of the things of God.
– Consider the age of your children. While the Bible principles remain the same, the way we talk about them will be different with people of different ages. Use methods and materials that are suited to their maturity and thinking level.The Bible describes Jesus growing in wisdom as He grew older, “And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him”(Luke 2:40).
Remember, God loves your family, and He loves your children. Jesus died for them and He invites each of you to join Him in Heaven (Revelation 3:20). We have the sacred privilege of working with God to train our children and bless our families. Here are a few more statements from God’s Word that show how much He loves families. It is encouraging to know that even children can hear God’s invitation and respond to it.
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” 3 John 1:4
“‘For the promise is to you and to your children ….’” Acts 2:39
“… ‘I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be My people.’” Jeremiah 31:1
“All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.” Isaiah 54:13
“‘And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.’” Joel 2:28
“‘… For I will contend with him who contends with you, and I will save your children.’” Isaiah 49:25
“Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.’ And He laid His hands on them and departed from there.” Matthew 19:13–15
“Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12