On this page we will look at the importance God places on the family unit, the responsibility we have in nurturing the spiritual development of our family and snapshot from the past on the church's view of worship and spiritual development within the home.

In our present society we are witnessing the destruction of the family unit. In the past it would have been unthinkable to consider the marriage of two men or women but in our present society this is a topic of debate. It is vital that we understand that the family is the oldest and most basic of God's institutions for mankind. It is in this covenant unit that we ideally learn to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength as well as well as to love our neighbor as ourselves (Mark 12:29-31). Ligon Duncan and Terri Johnson, in an essay called, "A Call to Family Worship," state:

The family is God's divinely appointed "small-group" discipleship program. The family is the first place that God appointed for teaching and learning about God and godliness. Children are to be instructed (Gen. 18:18-19; Deut. 4:9; 6:6-8; 11:18-21; Prov. 22:6; Eph. 6:4), guided in the way of life (Prov. 1:8; 6:20), and disciplined both directively and correctively (Prov. 13:24; 19:18; 22:15; 23:13-14; 29:15,17). Family worship is important (Ex. 12:3; Josh. 24:15), and in the New Testament the household was the basic unit of Christian commitment (Acts 11:14; 16:15, 31-33; I Cor. 1:16).

It is vital that we organize our lives, as families, around these God given commands. In doing this we will filter our family activities and atmosphere through the lens of Scripture.

Exercise for Mom and Dad:

• " Begin with the end in mind. Take some time and jot down on a piece of paper what you hope your children will say of you at your funeral. What eternal values do you hope to leave them as your legacy?
• " What things, activities, or ideals do you see as eroding your family?
• " What can you deliberately do to counter these things?

Although this article is entitled "Biblical Directives for Family Worship," it should be noted that family worship is only one facet in the spiritual nurturing of our families and children. It is, so to speak, the classroom where we are equipped so that we can live out what we learn. Our family worship activities becomes a staging area to disciple our children in the normal everyday activities of living. The best place for us to see this in action is by studying Deuteronomy 6.

6:4 Listen, Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! 6:5 You must love the Lord your God with your whole mind, your whole being, and all your strength. 6:6 These words I am commanding you today must be kept in mind, 6:7 and you must teach them to your children and speak of them as you sit in your house, as you walk along the road, as you lie down, and as you get up. 6:8 You should tie them as a reminder on your forearm and fasten them as symbols on your forehead. 6:9 Inscribe them on the doorframes of your houses and gates.

These words occur after the giving of the Ten Commandments in chapter 5. The people were to deliberately teach their children these things. This teaching was then to go beyond a factual or theory lesson. They were to discuss and communicate these truths in daily living (speak of them as you sit in your house, walk along the road, as you lie down and get up). They were also to instill these teachings in their heart or memory as seen in the tying them to the forearm and forehead. Also, as we have scripture verses in the form of household decorations, we are inscribing them on our doorframes of our houses and gates. When we see them we are again reminded of our walk with God.

If we make a conscious effort we will find many opportunities to disciple our children in the acts of daily living. As we teach and talk about God's word in normal living we are modeling for our children what we believe is important. These impromptu discussions will many times have the greatest impact on our children's memories and lives in the future. Even if they stray from the things of God, the Holy Spirit can bring these discussions, teaching, and modeling back to their minds in conviction. Talking about the Christian life in the context of daily living may initially seem awkward. Pray that God the Holy Spirit will help overcome this awkwardness and create natural opportunities to speak of Him with your children in the course of daily living.

Translate Deuteronomy 6 into the 21st Century.

• " Speak of God's word as you sit in your house. Make a deliberate effort as you sit in the home to talk about spiritual things in a natural and uncontrived manner.
• " As you walk along the road. In our age walking along the road is replaced with driving in our cars to and from locations. This is a great time to work on memorizing verses, creeds and catechisms. It's also a great time to ask your children questions (catechizing) from the documents their learning and to discuss their application.
• " As you lie down and get up. When your children go to bed pray with them and review with them memory work. This allows the sub-conscious to help in the memory processes. Also, pray and perhaps read scripture with your children in the morning. If one exams many devotional readings through the history of the church you will find prayers and meditations upon waking and at retiring (going to bed).

In the history of the church, family worship has played a crucial role in reviving and maintaining the power of godliness. As you do a cursory study of the history of family worship on the internet you will discover when family worship was emphasized and practiced the purity of the church and doctrine were maintained. During periods of history when family worship has fallen into disuse, the church at large has been more susceptible to doctrinal errors, superstition and legalism. Today we, as fathers, are likely to neglect family worship and our duty as the primary teacher of godliness because we assume that our children are being instructed in Sunday school, VBS, and Wednesday night youth groups, etc. While these are good they do not take the place of fathers and mothers instructing their children at home.

During the Reformation there became a renewed emphasis on family worship. In 1647 the church in Scotland created and adopted, "The Directory for Family Worship." This document greatly impacted the church in encouraging family worship and has been influential for many years including Presbyterian churches in America. I believe that every Christian father should read this directory in order to understand the importance that our forbears placed on family worship and its necessity. Also, we can learn much from the directory in way of practical advice in carrying out family worship within our homes.

Click on the links below to read the articles:

Read the Directory for Family Worship 1647
Read the Directory for Family Worship 1647 modernized