May 10

Family Worship: Habits That Shape The Home

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Family Worship: Habits That Help Shape Our Home

Continuing on with our discussion of family worship, I want to focus on the habits that will help shape our homes.

First I acknowledge that every family is different and your rhythm will not look the same. But I also want to say that a good habit or practice is good because its good, even if you can't use it in your schedule. SO we will just name a few and if you can use them great! If not find what works for you and your family.

We are a BUSY family of 6 with 3 teens, I know that my time is spent differently than a family of 4 with littles not involved in school or extra curriculars. The reality is during some seasons of life your time will be limited. Take advantage of the time you do have.

4 “Listen, Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.[a] 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.6 These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. 7 Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Bind them as a sign on your hand and let them be a symbol[b] on your forehead.[c] 9 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your city gates. Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Three Habits to Form

Scripture Reading

Our goal is to make little worshipers who will know, obey, and love God. When we read scripture together we are able to hear the great love story that is contained with in. We also get to know the God of the Bible who sent His Son Jesus to be our Savior! If our kids can grasp that they cannot help but worship.

Discussions

Our live are to be about God. He is included in our every decision of life. It makes sense then that He will be talked about in our homes on a daily basis. When a question comes up we must first ask what does God say? When we constantly turn our attention to God we will see a change in our home and the desires we all have to put Him first.

Prayer

Jesus gave us a great example in that we need to pray and have constant communication with God. As we make this a habit our kids will also know how to pray. When we set the example and they see a passionate prayer life they will desire the same.

Singing

Whether you can "sing" or not most people would agree that there is something special about music. When we lift our voices there is a special connection with God. Our hearts are open and stirred and we are ready to hear from him.

How do we make sure we put these practices into place? It come down to a decision to be intentional.

Decide on a time

Just like adding a practice or a performance on the family calendar, pick a time and put it on the calendar. It is more likely to take place if it is on your calendar. Obviously there are a lot of things to consider when doing this. How old are your kids? What nights do you have at home? How long will they be able to handle?

I promise when you plan it and do it, It will be a blessing. Kids are never too young to learn how to worship. You can even start before you have kids! Two equals a family!

Decide on a plan

What are you going to do for family worship? Sing? Read? Pray? Dance?

Jot down a plan so that you can feel prepared. It does not have to be anything special but if you have a plan this will help you accomplish your goal. I recommend starting out small, just a short passage and prayer.

Decide don't slide

It's also super important to make sure that you make the decision and stick with it. When you decide you don't slide. When you make a plan you will be more likely to follow through than if you don't. So this one is really a matter of perseverance there's gonna be times when you're tired and it's hard to get everybody motivated to do family worship but the benefits outweigh the pain. And before you know it this will be a time that your family looks forward to when you can all worship together and since God's presence

Apr 25

Worship Leads To Change

Last week we talked about family worship. It is clear to see in scripture that this is not a new concept or new practice. It is a time tested practice that produces disciples with in the context of the family!

If you are looking for a way to make sure your family is following God, family worship is not  a magic bullet but I would say that the chances are good  of them following through on their faith, when they have an example to follow. All throughout scripture we see the examples and we are encouraged to imitate them. 

I urge you then be imitators of me. 1 Corinthian 4:16

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1

Brother's join in imitating me, keeping your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. Philippians 3:17

What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me  practice these thing, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:9 

This command is of vital importance! The spiritual leader of the family has to imitate Christ so the ones that you shepherd will have an example to follow. They are going to follow our example, are you setting a good one?

The example you set, the way you worship, will lead to something. I believe it should be the following.

  • Heart change - Who we are.

We are born into this world with a sin-sickness. The only way to change that is to change our affections to things of God. As we worship him our perspective changes. Our identity changes. We go from lost to found.

 

3 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13-14

  • Attitude change - How we think.

We are often full of pride and selfishness thinking "what's best for me?" When Christ comes in and we truly encounter Him every changes! Maybe not immediately but eventually.

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. Colossians 3:2

  • Behavior change  -How we act.

What good is transformation if you don't live it out. The process of spiritual transformation leads to a change in behavior. Not for salvation but because of salvation, it is the fruit of a changed life.

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6

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Apr 18

Family Worship

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Not long ago I created a team at church. This team will help me plan family ministry and offer suggestions and support as we move forward as a church to a more intergenerational church family approach to ministry. At that meeting we acknowledged that this would be a long process. The shift does not happen overnight but I believe the effort and time it will take is worth it! What are some shifts we can make in our own families? Let's look at one today… Family worship.

12 Assemble the people, men, women, and little ones, and the sojourner within your towns, that they may hear and learn to fear the Lord your God, and be careful to do all the words of this law, 13 and that their children, who have not known it, may hear and learn to fear the Lord your God, as long as you live in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess.” Deut 31:12-13

As we read scripture we can clearly see that discipleship should take place in the context of an intergenerational family. The church is meant to a help in the process, but the main responsibility is ours, as parents. There is no greater privilege.

Here are three things that family worship does for me:

  • Refreshes my soul.

When I gather with my family after the initial groans and hesitation, they usually do settle down and engage. The word of God is powerful and has a way of refreshing the soul. With more frequency the groans will stop, maybe.

  • Strengthens my faith.

I know I am called to this. When I am courageous enough to work through the business and sometimes inconvenience it feels like I am stronger for it. Consistent time of family worship makes me stronger.

  • Ignites my passion for spiritual leadership.

When I see my "little flock" submitting to my leadership it gives me confidence that I can be the spiritual leader that God has called me to be. It can be work at first but eventually it will turn into a rewarding worship experience.

These are three things family worship does for me. Family worship can take many forms based on your families familiarity with it. As your family grows spiritual it will change. The basic elements of family worship are found in Colossians 3:16.

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."

  • Scripture
  • Teaching/encouragement
  • Prayer
  • Singing

PS: We have tried to be consistent with our times of family worship. We have managed to get as many as 3 days in week. Sometimes all are present sometimes a few are out at volleyball or soccer practice. My conviction is that we need to do something! We have done dinner table devotions, car ride conversations, and living room family worship. Do whatever works for your family no age is too young. Start small and be encouraged!