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and prayed (Acts 21:5).
Whether on the seashore, in
the barn, in the garden, or
when the three-year-old is
very sick, father calls the
family together for prayer.
When prayer is a part of life
throughout the day, it will
leave an indelible imprint
on all in the home who
make God their hope. It is
important to have a regular
time and place for family
worship: it should be a
place that will enable each
participant to contribute
undivided attention to this
all important means of spir-
itual nurture.
4.
“You shall teach
them diligently to thy 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.”
(Deut. 6:7)
Family worship is not an end in itself – it pre-
pares us to meet the needs of the day, it helps
to set a proper course when difficulties arise,
it influences our daily decisions, it provides
profitable meditation for the day. The songs we
sing give inspiration and purpose for our tasks.
5.
“You shall bind them as a sign on
your hand, and they shall be as
frontlets between your eyes.”
(Deut. 6:8)
This is a figurative expression of a spiritual
reality. As a disciple of Christ, we carry this
commitment to represent him faithfully what-
ever may come. God does not bless us just to
make us feel good, but so that we may also
bless and serve others. Bible reading and
prayer give us spiritual vision.
6.
“You shall write them on the door
posts of your house, and on your
gates.” (Deut. 6:9)
This will be as a monument, a pillar, and an
altar foundation for our children. It will help
to keep alive a principle of truth. If we neglect
the important things of life, wrong choices will
show up in the next generation. God will hold
us accountable for failing to maintain scrip-
tural practices. If fathers and mothers do not
maintain this habit of family worship, who
will?
God’s voice of instruction comes through
family worship, through His Ecclesia (Church),
and through His word. May we bind them con-
tinually upon our hearts and write them upon
the table of our heart (Proverbs 6:21, 3:3). It
is good to have Bible verses written on the
posts of our houses and on our gates. But may
our houses and our gates ring with the virtues
and graces of Christ in the conversations, man-
ners and spiritual values of our families. Then
our hearts will truly reflect the goodness of
our Lord and give the sweet perfume of love,
peace, harmony and spiritual strength.
T
rain up a child in the way
he should go, and even
when he is old, he will not
depart from it.”
Proverbs 22:6