History of Family Worship
Introduction
Charles Spurgeon once said, “If we want to bring up a godly family, who shall be a seed to serve God when our heads are under the clods of the valley, let us seek to train them up in the fear of God by meeting together as a family for worship” (C.H. Spurgeon, “A Pastoral Visit” 362-363).
Scriptures about Family Worship
Scripture is filled with examples of parents setting an example of the history of family worship:
- Abraham worshiping God when almost sacrificing his son (Genesis 22)
- Deuteronomy 6:4-7
- Psalm 78:1-8
History of Family Worship
The broader definition of worship goes beyond the scope of singing songs. Worshiping God includes all acts dedicated to thanking God for who He is—prayer, reading the Word, singing, etc. Acknowledging God in all your ways is a form of worship. “Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Acknowledge Him in all your ways and He will direct your steps” (Proverbs 3:5,6).
Webster defines worship (noun) as: “worthiness, respect, reverence paid to a divine being, worthiness, respect; reverence offered a divine being or supernatural power; also: an act of expressing such reverence; extravagant respect or admiration for or devotion to an object of esteem.
Webster also defines the word worship as a verb: to honor or reverence as a divine being or supernatural power; to regard with great or extravagant respect, honor, or devotion.
Lifestyle of Worship
Worship is not just an act, it is a lifestyle.
“All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall bow down and worship before You.” Psalm 22:27 (AMP)
“Children are living messages that we send to a time we will not see.” (John Whitehead)
“They will already have been worshiping God as a way of life the previous six days in both private and family worship, and public worship will be a natural outflow.” (Jerry Marcellino, “Rediscovering the Lost Treasure of Family Worship, 6)
