“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, 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. 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.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-9 [ESV])

Recently we began celebrating family worship in our home. Previously we had a pretty simple devotional time after breakfast where I read a passage from the Bible and then our oldest son would read from his Bible in Pictures for Little Eyes before we went on about our days, never to really discuss it or think about it again. Lately, though, I had begun to feel that something was missing. That was when I was reminded of something I had written about Psalm 119:11 and I knew what we needed to do.

Getting Started With Family Worship

The two hardest things about family worship are getting started and getting started. On the one hand I had a desire to lead my family in studying God’s Word and helping us all to store it up in our hearts, but it is difficult with busy and erratic schedules to know when to do it. Combine that with the fact that there is very little precedent for actually leading it or knowing how to lead it and you have a recipe for never getting going. I knew that it was something that needed to be done so I set a date when we would get started and then began my hunt for resources that would help me know exactly what I should do in leading this time. I did a bit of research and found a book called, aptly enough, The Family Worship Book. After taking a look and reading some reviews I decided to order it, and am I glad that I did. This book is a great resource for anyone wishing to start family worship or for anyone who is already leading but feels that there could be more to it. The book gives a good introduction to the what and why of family worship (which I, frankly, skimmed since I didn’t need any convincing). The author then dives into the meat of the book; how to lead and what this time should consist of. The book includes several hymns and selections from the psalter (sans music, although it does give suggested tunes for all the songs). There are also several other resources including creeds and confession, suggested Bible reading timelines, the Westminster Shorter and Larger Catechisms, articles on prayer and many other great resources for leading worship. I have found this book to be truly indispensable as we have begun this endeavor.

What About The Kids?

Having found the perfect book for me to lead, I then turned my attention to finding some resources that would speak to our boys at the level they are at (currently 5 years old and 18 months old). I discovered two great books that I would recommend every parent have. For the 18 month old I picked up The Big Picture Story Bible. This Bible has big, bright pictures that appeal to him and a great narrative that flows from Genesis to Revelation, clearly showing the consistency and interconnectedness of the entire Bible. Currently he mostly likes to look at the pictures (especially the donkeys), but I know that he will grow into it and it is good for our 5 year old to hear. I am sure we will continue to use this book for years to come.

The other book that I found was The Jesus Storybook Bible. This book is great for kids and adults alike as it focuses on the fact that the whole Bible is about Jesus and the author makes sure to point this out at every opportunity. I cannot stress how important this fact is as there are many adult Christians who have no clue that this is the case (I was one until not too terribly long ago). I could write all day on the subject — and someday I will. Suffice to say that this Bible will be well read and used for many years to come as well.

Imagine my surprise and delight to come across this article today. All I can say is that Al Mohler has great taste in books .

Just Do It

Family worship is not something that is easy to start or continue doing. There are not a lot of resources available (although it does seem that there are more available all the time), and there never seems to be enough time in the day. But don’t let excuses get in the way of spending this very important time with your family. In the short time that we have been doing this I have seen changes in myself and the rest of my family that I know are God at work in us.

Just do it, you will be glad that you did.