Families: should Worship God Together
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The concept of family worship is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, emphasizing the importance of collective spiritual practice within the household. The Bible presents the family as a fundamental unit of society, ordained by God, and integral to His divine plan. Worshiping God together as a family is not only a privilege but a responsibility that aligns with biblical teachings.

Biblical Foundations

The Old Testament provides numerous examples and instructions regarding family worship. In Deuteronomy 6:6-7 , Moses instructs the Israelites: "These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." This passage underscores the importance of integrating God's commandments into daily family life, suggesting that worship and instruction should be a continuous, shared experience.

Joshua 24:15 further illustrates the commitment to family worship: "But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve... But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." Joshua's declaration highlights the role of the family leader in guiding the household in the worship and service of God.

New Testament Insights

The New Testament continues to affirm the significance of family worship. In Acts 16:31-34 , the Philippian jailer is told, "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household." Subsequently, his entire family is baptized, indicating a collective acceptance of faith and a shared commitment to worship.

Ephesians 6:4 advises fathers, "Do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." This instruction implies a nurturing environment where spiritual education and worship are central to family life.

The Role of Parents

Parents are seen as the primary spiritual leaders within the family. Proverbs 22:6 states, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." This proverb emphasizes the long-term impact of early spiritual guidance and the role of parents in establishing a foundation of faith.

The Apostle Paul, in 1 Timothy 3:4-5 , outlines the qualifications for church leaders, including the ability to manage their own households well, with children who respect and obey them. This requirement reflects the expectation that spiritual leadership begins at home and that family worship is a testament to one's faithfulness.

Practical Aspects of Family Worship

Family worship can take various forms, including prayer, Bible reading, singing hymns, and discussing spiritual matters. The practice of gathering regularly for worship fosters unity, strengthens familial bonds, and cultivates a shared faith experience. It provides an opportunity for family members to support one another in their spiritual journeys and to model Christian values.

The Psalms offer a rich resource for family worship, with Psalm 78:4 declaring, "We will not hide them from their children, but will declare to the next generation the praises of the LORD and His might, and the wonders He has performed." This verse encourages the transmission of faith accounts and God's deeds to future generations, ensuring the continuity of worship and reverence for God.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not prescribe a specific format for family worship, it clearly advocates for the practice as a means of honoring God and nurturing faith within the household. Through shared worship, families can grow together in their relationship with God, fulfilling their divine calling to serve and glorify Him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
1 Corinthians 16:19
The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Worship
... made them into families, and therefore whole families met together ... of National churches,
in which the whole nation should, if possible, worship Sunday after ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xxiv worship.htm

On God's vineyard
... early, that all the heads of families may have ... was it possible, that all these things
should be done ... have ever since been permitted to worship God according to ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 107 on gods vineyard.htm

How the Temple was Built While the Cutheans Endeavored in Vain to ...
... the high priest, and the heads of the families of the ... sent to them, he commanded
that they should be caught ... and used great magnificence in the worship of God ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 how the temple.htm

The Mission of the Christian Home.
... that his service of God must include family worship. ... Parents are "priests unto their
families," and have the ... the household of God." Parents should provide for ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/philips/the christian home/chapter ii the mission of.htm

Measures to Promote Revivals.
... that it is the duty of families to have ... I should most sincerely deprecate, and most
firmly resist whatever was indecent and disorderly in the worship of God's ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture xiv measures to promote.htm

The Appointment of a King Over the Israelites, Whose Name was Saul ...
... to him that this was he who should rule over ... of a family smaller than several other
families; but thou ... three men upon the road, going to worship God at Bethel ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 the appointment of.htm

Association
... And because families and nations, and the Church of Christ ... And why should it not
be just the same in ... and distress, that they may all worship God here together ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon xx association.htm

Psalm cxxxvii. 4
... so blessed that God's servants living upon it should find it ... our prayers together,
whether in our families or in ... and places, and actions; in our worship and in ...
/.../arnold/the christian life/lecture xxix psalm cxxxvii 4.htm

How Zerah, King of the Ethiopians, was Beaten by Asa; and How Asa ...
... happily; but that if they left off his worship, all things ... and oil that account it
was that God made one ... and that no one person of their families should remain ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 12 how zerah king.htm

What Happened to the Hebrews During Thirty-Eight Years in the ...
... and was set apart for the Divine worship, lest they ... be slain, that they and their
entire families may eat ... and to hinder them, in case they should endeavor to ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 what happened to.htm

Resources
What does the Bible say about family conflict? | GotQuestions.org

What is a Family-Integrated Church, and is it biblical? | GotQuestions.org

Should there be hierarchy in the family? | GotQuestions.org

Families: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Families

Families and Work

Families Broken

Families of Saints Blessed

Families: Deceivers and Liars should be Removed From

Families: Good: Abraham

Families: Good: Cornelius

Families: Good: Crispus

Families: Good: David

Families: Good: Jacob

Families: Good: Jailor of Philippi

Families: Good: Job

Families: Good: Joshua

Families: Good: Lazarus of Bethany

Families: Good: Lois

Families: Good: Lydia

Families: Punishment of Irreligious

Families: should be Duly Regulated

Families: should be Taught the Scriptures

Families: should Live in Mutual Forbearance

Families: should Live in Unity

Families: should Rejoice Together Before God

Families: should Worship God Together

Families: Warning Against Departing from God

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Families: should Rejoice Together Before God
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