For a change of pace we are doing a study over Pilgrim's Progress.
We have memory scriptures that they have to memorize and expound upon. We always close in prayer with each one taking a turn every day.
I pray that God will use me to lay ground work in their lives and I know fruit will come forth.
VI. Neither prayer, nor any other part of religious worship, is now, under the Gospel, either tied unto, or made more acceptable by any place in which it is performed, or towards which it is directed: but God is to be worshipped everywhere, in spirit and truth; as, IN PRIVATE FAMILIES DAILY, and in secret, each one by himself; so, more solemnly in the public assemblies, which are not carelessly or wilfully to be neglected, or forsaken, when God, by His Word or providence, calls thereunto.
Jeremiah 10:25 - "Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee not, and upon the families that call not on thy name..."
Matthew 6:11 - "Give us this day our daily bread".
Daily Family Worship is directed by the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Holy Scriptures.
I can already tell that the family worship time is very important, for one reason because it is making me dig for things to lead the family with. However, I think that I should do both the family worship time and the individual time. Lord, let it be so.
We have 6 children ages from 10 - 4, and not all can read, so reading of the bible is shared between all. We enjoy this time to read and answer questions from God's word. Sometimes we only read a little bit of the word and then explain for all to understand what God was telling us.
If the children are not in a school setting, then they read for 15 minutes each in the bible throughout the day. We also memorize bible together through a month. The children share their ability to memorize the bible with their father on the last day of that month.
God has truly blessed this time in his word!!!
If you haven't started to have a family time in the Word of God, then I strongly suggest that you start. The blessings that arrive to your family for you being obedient to God is wonderful.
May God bless your efforts!!
We have two children, aged 2 1/2 years and 15 months. We read a bible story book, memorize from the Children's Catechism, and sing Psalms.
Family worship is also an excellent training tool to prepare the children for worship on the Lord's Day.
just a...well a somewhereian and not an Irish-guy as you are.
We have been amazed at how easily our 3 year old learns his memory verse - a simple catechism is also a helpful tool.
May you continue to be blessed from daily family worship.
That thread was getting pretty dusty and you know how important family worship is for a faithful church. It is one of the cornerstone's of reformation for the individual, family, church and nation.
But ineffective family worship can be a stumbling block to blessings from the Lord and our ability to glorify God and fully enjoy him for ever!
Once, and preferably twice, each day is my covenant with God to worship Him in the morning and evening.
It is normally up to an hour in the morning before work, and less in the evening before bed.
It all depends on the wandering thoughts and the ability to control them during difficult trials and tempations from the world.
However, when one day is missed, I feel so guilty and ashamed that I repent, and renew my daily schedule. It has been a blessing for me persoanlly these past 7 years since I began this practice.