In The Master's Service

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Worship at home

Elder Michael Green Jr.

It was with great interest that I read the recent article on worshipping the Lord at home. As a father and pastor I see a great need for devotions and administration of the Word of God in today's homes. If ministers of previous generations saw the need to admonish God's people about honoring the Lord at home, how much more needful is it today. I humbly offer some Biblical and practical suggestions for family worship. While not conclusive, I think the instruction below provides a Scriptural starting point for family worship and devotions.

First, family worship should be started prayerfully. God has given fathers authority as the spiritual head of his respective family, and prayer is one of the most powerful tools that fathers have when seeing to those under his oversight. Samuel, the prophet and priest noted that because of his position over the nation of Israel that it would be a sin for him not to pray for them (I Samuel 12:23). The same principle applies to fathers.

As fathers we need to pray for God's guidance and strength as we attempt to lead our families in worshipping the Lord. It is an awesome responsibility and should not be taken lightly. Pleading for godly wisdom is first step in establishing God-honoring worship in our homes. We ought to go to the Lord in prayer and seek His guidance before we undertake any project. Then, prayer should be integrated into actual family worship. Just as we beseech God's blessings in public (church) worship we should also pour our hearts out to the God of Heaven and ask His blessing in our homes. Prayer sets the stage for assembling as a family and focuses all members on the One who gives all blessings and strength.

Family devotions and worship allow other members of the family opportunities to participate in offering prayers. My oldest son is almost four years old. I have been very moved and blessed by the simple prayers he offers during family worship. It is also touching to observe my two-year-old daughter offer a boisterous `amen' after prayers. She may not understand why we have this devotional time as a family, but she understands that it is an important part of our family culture. This teaches them that God is real and that He hears our supplication.

The Scripture provides many examples of prayers that apply to our families. Matthew 6 records Jesus' teaching on the disciple's prayer as a beginning. The Apostle Paul provides other worthy outlines in Ephesians 1:17-19, 3:14-19 and Colossians 1:9-14. Many more could be listed. As you begin to pray for your family and worship in your home during the week you will see specific needs that need addressed. Utilize your own private prayer time and family prayer time to address these needs. Our God hears the prayers of His people.

In addition to prayer, praise should be offered during family worship and devotions. Simply stated, praise involves boasting on the Lord. It is thanking Him for His mercies and blessings upon us. The Apostle Paul states in Hebrews 13:15, "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name." Paul is teaching that we should continually praise God because of the strength that we have in Christ Jesus. Praise can be offered in a multitude of forms. Prayers should consist of praising the Lord. The singing of hymns is also an excellent source of praise and encouragement. Many children love to sing. Singing is also an excellent tool for helping small children memorize important verses and concepts from the Bible.

Another important aspect of family worship is Scripture reading and study. It is my opinion that the most opportune time for Bible study is in the home. While prayer involves us speaking to God, Bible reading involves God speaking to us through His word. Through reading the Bible we understand the doctrines that we hold most precious. We also learn practical instructions that assist us in our daily living. 1 am reminded of Deuteronomy 6:1-8. Moses instructs the Israelites to take what God has taught them and teach it to their children in the home (v. 7). The commandments, statutes, and the judgments of the Lord were to be interwoven into the daily lives of children and families (v. 2,8). As we read and study the word of God in family worship we show our children the principles of Scripture and model for them the expectation that God's word is of daily importance to us and not just a Sunday morning inconvenience.

If we are not going to take the worship of the Lord seriously as fathers and families, how can we expect our children to hold it in high regard? I believe that others lead many of our young people into error because they do not see the Scripture held in high regard in our homes. It is my prayer that God will bless us as His peopleto worship Him accept ably in our homes and live our lives in such a way that our children and others see the glory of God as our top priority. It will not go unnoticed.