Looks Complicated, 2006

Last night I was reading to Pamela a short portion of ON FAMILY WORSHIP by Harvey Bluedorn.  It really is a terrific pamphlet (available on his website at this link).  I am grateful for men who have wrestled with these issues and challenged us to biblical fatherhood.  I am also grateful for how the Lord has been at work in our home in this area of "Family Worship" (or family devotions) for the last few years. 

In 2004 we were introduced to the ministries of TRIVIUM PURSUIT and VISION FORUM MINISTRIES at a homeschool convention.   We were challenged with a number of important concepts that weekend, but the committment we brought home was to begin reading the scriptures more regularly in our home.  So each evening, after dinner, we began reading from a narrative book of the Old Testament (we started in 1 Samuel).  In time, God led us to begin gathering each morning as well for time together as a family in His word--we would read a Psalm and another scripture reading.

There had been times earlier in our family life when we had tried to start family devotions, but we always struggled to be consistent, and would often go weeks or months without it (can I admit even years?).  I think it may have been for a few different reasons.  The first was because I was trying to make it too complicated.  I was avoiding family devotions because I hadn't prepared anything thoughtful or devotional, so I didn't do it.  Second, I think I was satisfied with the idea that surely the kids would be getting their spiritual lessons in Sunday School.  This may have been happening, but I was not taking on my God given responsibility to lead in my family's spiritual nourishment, I was merely delegating.  The probelm with delegating is that as men we don't grow and learn how to do it and our children begin to give their hearts to those who are doing it in our absence.

I don't know what your personal experiences may be in leading family worship, but I would invite you to start small, nothing too complicated.  Choose a narrative book of the Bible and read just a few verses each night after dinner and ask God to lead you in your conversation around what you've read.  It might be helpful to pick up a copy of Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Bible (less than $50) to assit you answer the difficult questions the kids or your wife may ask.  Don't be afraid to say, "I don't know, but I'll find out and tell you what I've learned."  In the process, you'll be teaching your kids how to find out the answers to the questions they have and you'll also be growing together as a family.  It is time for fathers to take back this area of family life, for God's glory.

If you have any thoughts you'd like to share of how you do family worship, or want to share a testimony of how God has worked through family worship in your home, leave a comment.

From Deuteronomy 6

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!

You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 

 “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.