|
DAILY FAMILY WORSHIP
By Mike Sciarra
Printable Version
| Goal: |
TO GLORIFY AND KNOW GOD |
| Means: |
READING THE BIBLE AND PRAYING |
| Instrument: |
DAILY FAMILY WORSHIP |
Following Jesus is a daily, moment by moment pursuit; not a once-a-week, “whenever we get around to it” proposition. Don’t have the time? Knowing what you know about the world and sin and its effect on you and your family, how can you afford not to invest the time? We are all busy, but this is a part of life that is indispensable. The end is to glorify and know God. The means is a daily time with your family reading God’s Word and praying. It’s not a works thing, it’s an obedience thing. From the earliest age, our children need to hear the stories of God from us, hearing Scripture read out loud with our voices. It is God’s design for us and our privilege to pass on the faith and live and share God’s truth.
Growing in Christ with the members of our household is Biblical, honoring to God, pleasing to God and good. That is why there are barriers and roadblocks to that pursuit. I challenge you to challenge the culture, even our Christian culture that seems to love comfort, pleasure, ease and prosperity at the expense of holiness and the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. Sure, we are weak, but praise God, He is strong and faithful and He is at work in and through us for His glory. Here are some ideas for families of all ages to utilize in daily family worship times:
| 1. |
PICK A TIME AND PLACE AND STICK TO IT. You need to make it a daily “appointment” or you won’t do it daily. Write it into your daily schedule. Post it on the fridge, whatever you need to do. You are in the presence of the King of kings and Lord of lords. Honor Him by setting apart the time.
|
| 2. |
READ THE BIBLE AND PRAY. Don’t get sidetracked. The Word of God and prayer is the daily spiritual food our families need but don’t often get. Systematically, regularly, read the Bible with your family. Use a real translation of the Bible, not a paraphrase or Bible story book. With my wife and five kids I simply read from my Bible and we discuss it and apply it. Just a simple reading of the living, abiding and powerful Word of God. I may ask some questions and make a few comments. Then we pray together and sing a few songs of praise. I like a simple approach. I can do that. Most importantly, God speaks to us through His Word. He changes us as we hear it. I encourage you to read through all of Scripture on a regular basis. You may choose to read through the whole Bible or read the major stories or episodes in both the Old and New Testaments.
|
| 3. |
TRUST GOD WITH THE RESULTS. Trust Him to do a work of grace in each person’s heart. |
RESOURCES FOR DAILY FAMILY WORSHIP:
Daily Bible reading plans. There are many to choose from. Find one that suits your tastes and dig in! www.backtothebible.org/devotions/journey; www.heartlight.org/devotionals/reading_plans; www.bible-reading.com/daily-reading.html.
Use a list of Bible stories to read with your family as a guide. Read the major episodes in the Bible to your family. (There is a list in the works!)
“HOW TO” RESOURCES FOR HEADS OF HOUSEHOLDS:
"Rediscovering the Lost Treasure of Family Worship", Jerry Marcellino. 28 pages. Audubon Press, 1-800-405-3788.
“The Family Worship Book” by Terry L. Johnson. A resource book for family devotions. ISBN#1857924010.
© Mike Sciarra, 2010
|
