Introduction to Family Worship
1 Give ear, O my people, to my teaching;
incline your ears to the words of my mouth!
2 I will open my mouth in a parable;
I will utter dark sayings from of old,
3 things that we have heard and known,
that our fathers have told us.
4 We will not hide them from their children,
but tell to the coming generation
the glorious deeds of YHWH, and his might,
and the wonders that he has done.
Psalm 78
Psalm 78 is a poetic retelling of the miraculous story of God’s redemption—from their slavery in Egypt to the anointing of King David. It highlights the grace of God, the power of God to save, the mighty acts of God throughout history, and the purpose of God to redeem his people.
Psalm 78 also highlights the rebellion of God’s people. It talks about the Israelites’ sin, blasphemy and doubt; their persistent sin; their provocation and treachery; and God’s judgment.
Psalm 78 is about those broken by sin, who amidst all their wandering and failure, are still loved by God! That’s the story of God’s people.
Spiritual formation
Psalm 78 is an example of “spiritual formation”—how we become the people we are. We enter this world as a child, needing instruction, guidance and help. As you grow into an adult, our spirit is formed—your personality developed, priorities solidified. Sometimes we call this “maturity” or “discipleship.”
“Spiritual formation, without regard to any specifically religious context or tradition, is the process by which the human spirit or will is given a definite ‘form’ or character. It is a process that happens to everyone. The most despicable as well as the most admirable of persons have had a spiritual formation. Terrorists as well as saints are the outcome of spiritual formation. Their spirits or hearts have been formed. Period.”
Family Worship: Formation each night
As parents, we want to regularly help our kids’ spiritual formation—to shape them into the people God wants them to be. Part of the way we do this is “Family Worship.”
“It is interesting that when we teach our children music or the various subjects in school or sports, we do not assume that they just are going to learn how to do it. We teach them, and we teach them bit by bit. Sometimes we expect that the prayer life of our children is going to grow automatically. It doesn’t! It needs instruction!”
Family Worship is a nightly routine spent reading the Bible, singing worship songs, and praying together as a family. Through this nightly habit, we will shape our children’s hearts, form their worldviews, and train them in the Way of Jesus.
Below are four tips for beginning Family Worship in your home.
Tips for Family Worship
Keep it simple. You don’t need to be a Bible scholar, or prepare a sermon. Don’t preach at your kids, just read the story from the Bible. I recommend the Jesus Storybook Bible as a starting point.
Keep it short. It doesn’t need to be an hour. Keep it to fifteen minutes. The “formation” of our children happens over the weeks, months and years—not all in one night. Play the long game!
Keep it sweet. Don’t be overly serious, or come down hard on your kids. If they’re being squirrelly, or tired—let them. It’s okay. Remember, we’re playing the long game, and we want our children to look on this time as a family with fondness, not resentment.
Keep it scheduled. Perhaps the most important point. Don’t do Family Worship every once and a while, but every day. Often, parents focus on the “extraordinary” things we do as families: expensive vacations, incredible experiences, exciting opportunities. But what really forms disciples is the every-day stuff. Invest in the repeatable rituals that form our children’s hearts and minds.