Mommy Life

I distinctly remember the place. I also remember the time. About nine years ago I walked into a Christian bookstore and saw a book whose title intrigued me. It was called, "Thoughts on Family Worship," by J. W. Alexander. At that time, I had never heard of J. W. Alexander. Neither had I heard of "Family Worship," though I had some inkling of what it meant. As a man who was recently married and beginning my own family, I was intrigued. So I purchased it and read it and began to practice Family Worship in our home. It has been a staple in our home for the past nine years and will continue to be as long as I live.

What is Family Worship?
Family worship is called by many names. I have heard it called the "Family Altar." I have heard it called, "Family Devotions." One family I know of has affectionately calls it, "Dee-voes." It is simply the practice of a regular family gathering for the purpose of worshiping God. It can take as little at five minutes, or, on occasion, it may extend to an hour. It may occur in the morning, in the evening, or just before bed. It may take place around the kitchen table, on the sofa, in the living room, or in a bedroom of a little one. Typically, songs of praise are sung, the Bible is read, and prayer is offered to God.

Forms vary. In our home, the form is constantly changing. When my family consisted of just my wife and me, we simply read the Bible together and prayed in our bedroom. As the children were young, we sang many Bible songs over and over to ingrain them into their little minds while they danced around the living room. At times, the children have enjoyed acting out the story we have read. As the children have grown older, we have begun to focus our attention upon singing hymns and consecutive reading through the Bible. Yet, through it all, the basic forms have remained: songs, Bible reading, and prayer.

Is Family Worship Required of Us?
I must admit that the words, "Family Worship" or "Family Altar" or "Family Devotions" are nowhere used in the Bible. Furthermore, I will admit that there are few explicit directions given to families to gather for worship of God. Yet, there are clear directions given to the priority of cultivating spiritual health and maturity within the family.

When given the law, Israel was instructed, "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up" (Deuteronomy 6:6-7). Parents were told to love God supremely and to teach their children to love God as well. God’s word was to saturate their conversations with their children, whether they were at home or abroad.

Whether it was early in the morning or late at night, God’s word was always to be on their lips. Family worship is an important way for parents to model their supreme love for God and teach their children to do the same. Joshua pledged, "As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" (Josh 24:15).

In the New Testament we see that fathers are told, "do not provoke your children to anger; but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord" (Eph. 6:4). Family worship provides a great opportunity to teach your children of the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Also, when the qualifications for an elder for a church are given, the home is to be examined (1 Tim. 3:4-5). If one will lead a church in spiritual matters, he ought to be leading his home as well.

Scripture is also clear that the believer is to be in constant communion with God. David said, "I shall call upon God, and the Lord will save me" (Ps. 55:16). He said that he would do this at "evening and morning and at noon" (Ps. 55:17). The Psalmist said, "Seven times a day I praise Thee, because of Thy righteous ordinances" (Ps. 119:164). In the New Testament, we are told that we are to "Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thess. 5:16-18). A constant communion with God ought to give expression in members of a family gathering for these things together.

So clear are the implications of these things, that when the Scottish General Assembly adopted the Westminster Confession of Faith in 1674, they considered that the neglect of family worship was grounds for church discipline! They wrote that the elders were "to make diligent search and enquiry, in the congregations committed to their charge respectively, whether there be among them any family or families which use to neglect this necessary duty [i.e. of family worship]; and if any such family be found, the head of the family is to be first admonished privately to amend his fault; and, in case of his continuing therein, he is to be gravely and sadly reproved by the session; after which reproof, if he be found still to neglect Family worship, let him be, for his obstinacy in such an offence, suspended and debarred from the Lord's supper, as being justly esteemed unworthy to communicate therein, till he amend."

Sadly, family worship is neglected in many homes today. In his book, Thoughts on Family Worship, J. W. Alexander gives nine excuses that the head of the household might be using to justify his own neglect leading his home in family worship. I have listed them here with my own brief comments and encouragements.

Excuses for the Neglect of Family Worship.
1. The service, as I have seen it, is a dull formality; and my house is as well without it. The misuse of something doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t use it correctly. The worship of God ought never to be dull.

2. Family Worship may be well enough in itself, but it does not fall in with the customs of my house and my guests. Favorite television shows, late nights out, and protesting children are all obstacles. Such customs, however, ought to magnify the great need of your house to focus hearts God-ward.

3. I have not time for Family Worship. Schedules and meetings and activities will always battle for your time. You need to prayerfully evaluate your household priorities in light of eternity.

4. Our family is so small. It ought to be easier for you to gather for worship. Certainly a husband and wife can find a few minutes each day for this practice.

5. My family is so large. With a large family comes greater responsibility. Think of the multiplied effects of your neglect of family worship.

6. There are persons present in my house whose superior age or intelligence deters me from duty. Your attempts at leadership will be respected.

7. I am unlearned, and destitute of gifts. Can you read? Perhaps you could begin by reading a devotional book to your family. Many such helps are in print today.

8. My family is unwilling to unite in the service. Stand strong, like Joshua, "As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" (Josh 24:15).