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Home Where They Belong ~ Beginning in Jerusalem Part 4 (final)

10:05 AM, Sep. 30, 2009

Today we wrap up this short 4 part series on how parents need to first begin in our own homes when it comes to making disciples of all nations. Again we notice that our Lord's strategy for reaching the lost is very clear and direct: before we go out to the ends of the earth, we are first to "begin in Jerusalem" (Luke 24:47 & Acts 1:8). Let's turn to God's Word and catch this last very important point on what we as families should be doing and that is Family Worship.

And he [Jesus] led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen. (Luke 24:50-53)

What we see here is simply the disciples worshipping their Lord and Savior at the scene of His ascension, and then they go back to Jerusalem where the worshipping continues. They keep praising and blessing God in the temple. Are you as a family continually praising and blessing God? Our children need to see that part of our lives. Our children need to see that we as parents have an authentic relationship with a real God. We need to model to them on a regular basis what it means to praise and bless God. This is part of our discipling them. Remember that we are not only supposed to tell them about who Jesus is, what He has done, and what He requires, but we should be modeling it also. The disciples asked Jesus to actually teach them how to pray (Luke 11:1) and our kids need to witness first hand how we worship our King and pray--not just on Sundays and before meals, but continually.

Parents we need to bring back family worship in our homes which was something that was commonplace in Christian homes for centuries. What is family worship? It is simply worshipping as a family, where the father, if possible, leads the worship time and the family participates by singing, reading, asking or answering questions.

Let me give you a glimpse into our family worship which we have been doing for several years. We choose a song for the month and start off our worship singing together, then whatever book of the Bible we are reading through that month, my wife and I read out loud and delegate verses to our older children to read out loud, too. We will stop at times during the reading as the Lord impresses upon our hearts to discuss a further a section of Scripture. Most often my children will have questions that come to their minds during the reading of God's Word. There have been times when we discuss for about an hour a certain story, lesson, or teaching in the Bible. Those are really wonderful times. To keep the younger children's interest and to flesh out the story a little more, sometimes I will have them act out a certain story in the Bible (great to do with Jesus' parables). After reading and teaching of Scripture, we pray, recite our Bible memory verse for the month that we are working on then close in song. We have chosen as our final closing song the old doxology, "Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow." Normally our family worship lasts between 10-20 minutes and we aim for the mornings, but if our schedules don't allow we will do it in the evening. Again I cannot stress enough that this family worship needs to be led by fathers where possible.

I would highly recommend a little book written in the mid-90's (20 pages long) called "Family Worship" by Jerry Marcellino. However you decide to do family worship in your home, remember the words from the saints that have gone before us, "Let family worship be short, savory, simple, plain, tender, heavenly."- Richard Cecil (1748-1810)

I cannot emphasize enough what an incredible blessing this has been to our family over the years. We have had some real tender moments during worship time. Some of the questions that the younger kids ask during this time surely show that they are paying attention, and that our Lord is working on their hearts and minds through His Word (Hebrews 4:12).

Parents, we need to turn our hearts towards our children (Malachi 4:6). Turn your own houses into "temples" that are places of worship, praise, and blessing to the Lord. I would say that few things will have as much impact on a child than to see their own parents worship the Lord on a regular basis.

The saints that went before us understood the importance of parents modeling the Christian walk to their children. The great 19th century preacher C.H. Spurgeon wrote, "Children do not take to religion as ducks to water; they must be led and trained with earnest care. Are you sighing after Christ for yourself and your children? Are you content without Christ? Then you are not likely to care about your children. Do you already possess a home in Jesus? Rest not till all yours are housed in the same place."

Parents let's begin in Jerusalem. Homeschooling is so much more than just reading, writing, and arithmetic. Our families are our first God-given mission fields. Let us work our mission fields for God's glory while using our Lord's methods, which include blessings, singing praises, worshipping, and yes, beginning in our own families first.

And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (Luke 24:47)
____________________________________________________________________________________
—David d'Escoto is a teaching elder, the co-author of "The Little Book of Big Reasons to Homeschool" and its companion Bible study, he also co-hosted the former radio program "Homeschooling for Life." He and his wife, Kim, have homeschooled their five children for over 10 years. Visit their website to sign-up for their free webinars and newsletters at http://dexios.info.

- Home Where They Belong

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