“The Bible clearly implies that God deserves to be worshiped daily in our homes by our families.” Don Whitney has written this concise and helpful little book on Family Worship because he believes it. He believes that a man who consistently leads his family in the worship of God at home together is providing solid spiritual leadership for them. In short he believes that Family Worship makes a difference in the lives family members. In this simple booklet he provides a solid case for the fact that Christians historically have always believed this and we can recover it today. Once you read the book you’ll want to recover it in your own home.
The book is essentially broken down in to three parts, as the subtitle indicates: In the Bible, in History, and in Your Home. Each section develops support and encouragement for the practice of Family worship. Despite being so short (64 pages, large font), Whitney gives us plenty of support and illustration. It seems as though this long forgotten spiritual discipline has some real weight behind it.
In the first section Whitney unpacks common Biblical support for the practice of worshiping God daily with your family. The author doesn’t offer us here just a handful of proof texts. Rather he gives us a case study in the life of Abraham, a history of the development of corporate worship in the Old Testament, and a New Testament emphasis on the role of fathers in shepherding their families. In a few short pages he moves across the breadth of Scripture to paint a consistent picture of the practice of family worship. Whitney writes:
The Bible clearly implies that God deserves to be worshiped daily in our homes by our families. The beloved Bible commentator Matthew Henry knew this when he said, “The way of family worship is a good old way, no new thing, but the ancient usage of the saints.” (21)
According to Scripture, then it would seem, this is a practice for all believers. And Whitney says that was understood for much of the church’s history.
Starting with the early church fathers and moving up all the way to the contemporary setting Whitney gives example after example of faithful pastors, theologians, and fathers who led their families in worship. The illustrations don’t just give us a glimpse of the belief of family worship’s importance, but they highlight the influence it can have on families. To read of what C.H. Spurgeon’s wife wrote about her deceased husband’s leading in this area is moving. To read of John Patton’s memorable reflections on it is inspiring. In nearly every example from church history we get not merely information of the practice’s longevity, but we get motivation to continue it today. Each individual example is brief, but the number and nature of them is powerful.
It is perhaps the third section which most will find immediately helpful (though I strongly believe the first two sections deserve the church’s attention today). In the third section Whitney gets down to the practical: Family Worship in your home. He begins by introducing us to the simple “elements” of family worship, summarized as “read, pray, sing.” “The elements are so simple,” writes Whitney, “that you probably will not need any reminders about what to do” (37). Reading the Bible, praying, and singing hymns are what Whitney recommends for your time together. His guidelines on the meetings are especially important: be brief, be regular, be flexible.
The book is short, sweet, and to the point: family worship makes a difference and you need to do it. Do you have questions about how you can do this, about how to deal with difficult situations? Dr. Whitney has answers to all your “what ifs.” The thrust of the book seems to be that this is not only right and Biblical, but possible. In his final chapter Whitney urges families to “start today.” “The worthiness of God to receive your family’s worship each day is reason enough to start practicing family worship today” (47). This is such a useful book and worthy of your time. I recommend reading it, but more than that I recommend doing it. Family worship makes a difference.
Sparrow & Heart Soul Care 