5 Practices of Family Worship

5 Practices of Family Worship

Last Sunday we took a look at family worship. Family worship is a great practice for parents to live out their calling as the primary disciple makers of their children (Deut. 6:4-7). At the same time, family worship is applicable to empty nesters, grandparents, roommates, small groups, and personal devotional life. To help equip the church for family worship we have provided for you a summary of the five practices of family worship along with a few titles of some helpful children’s story Bibles. At the bottom you can see the “Family Worship Powerpoint” from this past Sunday.

1. Treasure the Scriptures

What the Bible Says: The psalmist writes in Psalm 119:11, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” The psalmist stores up the Word of God in his heart for doing so changes his heart’s desires so he can bring honor to God. Application: Have a weekly memory verse and pray that the verse would travel from the head to the heart. Remember how truth Travels: God -> Head -> Heart -> Hands -> Habitat

2. Read the Story

What the Bible Says: Young Timothy was acquainted with the Holy Scriptures since infancy (2 Tim. 3:15). Regardless of having a father who was an unbeliever (Acts 16:1), the Word of God was sufficient for Timothy to grow up to be a man of God (2 Tim. 3:17). Application: Sit down with your family to read the story of Scripture. There is even children’s story Bibles you can use like The Jesus Story Book Bible by Sally Lloyd- Jones, The Child’s Story Bible by Catherine F. Vos , or The Gospel Story Bible by Marty Machowski.

3. Learn the Theology

What the Bible Says: Those who know the one true God have eternal life (John 17:3). Application: While reading Scripture learn the theology (theology: the study of God ) by asking 5 questions: What does this passage teach about (1) God, (2) man, (3) Christ, (4) faith, and (5) salvation/eternity.

4. Pray the Word

What the Bible Says: Jesus is quoted praying a psalm at the cross (Matt. 27:46; Psalm 22:1). The Book of Psalms were the people of God’s prayer and hymn book they would use to communion with God. Application: Pray the Word by taking a psalm and using it as a guide to praying to God. Another great way to pray is to use the acrostic PRAY. PRAISE the Lord for who he is. REPENT of your sins as a family. ASK each other if you can pray for each other about anything. YIELD to God and his will.

5. Praise the Creator

What the Bible Says: The people of God are called to sing praises together with thankfulness in their hearts to God (Col. 3:16). Jesus is depicted singing a hymn with his disciples at the Last Supper (Matt. 26:30). The psalmist even depicts families worshiping God together in their homes (Psalm 118:15). Application: Sing together as a family. Turn up a worship song and sing along as a family, sing simple but doctrinally rich hymns, or do a fun interact song as a family.

Here is a link to the slides used from the Family Worship sermon this past Sunday.