Several years ago and unbeknownst to us we discovered what has for a long time been called ‘family worship.’ (This was laid out in a substantial way by the Puritans in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, especially those in the new world). It changed our life. The dining table, and the morning and evening meals became the cultural and spiritual heart of our home (we do family worship during meal time). I began recording the happenings at these meals to pass on as a history to the children whom I pray will carry on what we received and now pass on to them. And also as an encouragement and resource to friends and fellow-travellers. Because, of course, I wish every Christian family practiced family worship.
Throughout the Log there are scattered a handful of principles and warnings that I would give anyone setting out in family worship. I offer them here so you know what might be of use to look for in the Log, and watch for in your own home.
(1) As soon as you try to aim at something in this area, you will come under attack. ‘Are we doing enough?’ ‘Are we consistent enough?’ ‘We can’t sustain our own standard!’ ‘Is this just performative?’ ‘Why do many of our sessions seem almost uneventful?’ You see the point. But you need to remember: if you do this thing, you are doing the right thing. Everything else needs only to be faced and dealt with. Don’t begin with rose-coloured glasses. There will be challenges and temptations almost immediately. But when they arise, throw out temptation and imprudence, not family worship.
(2) The conditions for family worship are rarely perfect. The temptation will be to skip or wait. But we have a saying in Ploddingham: ‘Just because it’s not perfect, doesn’t mean it’s not worth it.’ Be prepared to read 5 verses and pray on bad days. Put runs on the board. Offer something to God with your family in faith remembering this from Proverbs: “Whoever gathers little by little will increase” (Proverbs 13:11).
(3) Variety is not a sin. Depending on your tradition you may feel pressure to work through entire books of the Bible with exegesis, exposition, biblical theology, systematic theology, and application every day. Most children will not be able to handle this. Variety, while maintaining the essential ingredients (Bible, exhortation, prayer, worship), goes a long way in keeping the family engaged and warm towards family worship.
(4) As soon as you do something so regularly you will see your weaknesses and unhealthy tendencies. Don’t be discouraged. I try to include mine in the Log as they emerge around the table. Take note of yours and make an improvement where you can when you can. And pray for your family worship!
(5) Finally, if you read some of my Log you may be tempted to see it as a standard. It is not. It’s a collection of possibilities and some cautionary tales. The ingredients (not all of them necessarily, I get a bit carried away sometimes) are important. But my approach or style works for me and my family. Try to learn from others by identifying ways of thinking and principles to be applied. Not necessarily by importing wholesale what others are doing. This can lead to failure which feels final. We don’t fail in Ploddingham. Or rather we don’t think of it as failure. We think of it as… falling forwards in repentance and faith.
Yours truly,
Dan Conway
Steward