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The Value of Family Worship
| Bro Gaius Egwu (Ohafia, Nigeria)
“A
nd that from a child thou hast known
the holy Scriptures, which are able to
make thee wise unto salvation through faith
which is in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 3:15).
Hearing the Scriptures early in life contributes
to forming right character. The Holy Scriptures
have a life-giving and life-changing message
that preserves true moral and spiritual values
for our families. They will turn our hearts and
minds to God. They are life and food for the
soul. They influence the minds and attitudes
of children, moulding their character into
obedience and honesty, which prepares them
for serving, loving and forgiving others. God
designed the home to teach and train our
children for responsibility and usefulness.
Deuteronomy 6:6-9 teaches parents how to
conduct worship in the home.
1.
“And these words, which I command
thee this day, shall be in thine
heart.” (Deut.6:6)
Our heart is where our memories, our thoughts
and our aspirations originate, and are stored.
Expressions of devotion, praise, prayer and
worship flow from a heart free from sin.
“Keep thy heart with all diligence.” (Proverbs
4:23). If we cannot concentrate on God and
remain focussed on our prayer and the songs
we sing, how shall God be praised? A father’s
love of the Scriptures is a deeply important
testimony to children and youth. Do they know
that father is more interested in spiritual
reading than in business magazines or newspa-
pers? This is an unspoken message that will
greatly affect his children. Worship is an atti-
tude of reverence, awe, admiration, adoration
and profound respect – prayer, praise, singing
and witnessing for Christ are all expressions of
true worship.
2.
“And thou shalt teach them
diligently unto thy children.”
(Deut. 6:7)
God has commissioned fathers to lead out in
family worship and teaching in the home.
Abraham is an example of a worship leader.
“For I know him, that he will command his
children and his household after him and they
shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice
and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon
Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.”
(Gen. 18:19). God had a good testimony of
Abraham as a father. Abraham instructed his
children in everything the Lord taught him.
The account of Abraham offering Isaac tells us
how he involved his children in his worship.
Isaac asked, “Where is the lamb?” He knew
what was needed to come to God. Faithfully
fathers call their children to worship. This is
vital. Neglecting worship in the home is an
offence against God and our children.
Do we have the compassionate interest and
godly concern that is exemplified in Abraham’s
example? As parents, we can help our little
children say their bedtime prayers and help
them establish good worship patterns – it will
aid them as they face their own crises. Chil-
dren can be taught prayers to memorize: they
can be nurtured to mention special needs to
God. Reading the Bible stories to them is an
excellent way to teach them the ways of God.
3.
“Thou shalt talk of them when
thou sittest in thine house.”
(Deut. 6:7).
Daily worship will encourage our children to
acts of devotion. As we gather our family for
worship, our children can join in the songs.
They can take their turn reading a verse in the
Bible. An occasional Bible quiz may be also
inspiring. This time of sharing will help them
to establish their personal devotions.
Thoughtful daily reading of the Word is a pow-
erful influence in a Christian’s life. Coupled
with prayers, it becomes an anchor of the soul
and contributes to the fruitfulness of the
home. Prayers must be sincere and from a
heart of faith resigned to God’s will. This is
born out of being attached to the vine (John
15:1-10). The need for prayer extends into all
of life. When the apostle Paul was leaving his
friends at Tyre, they knelt down on the shore