HOME DEVOTIONS
Let us not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.
(Hebrews 10:25)
TOGETHER IN REVERENCE
Families strengthen their faith through the Word of God in public worship, congregational classes, Christian schools and home devotional times. A devotion can be a combination of song, prayer, Bible reading and activity. This home worship activity can be as formal as following a hymnal liturgy, or as casual as giving thanks while walking through a productive garden. The goal is to praise God and welcome His presence. Because Christ devoted his life to save us from death and hell, we are moved by the Holy Spirit to honor him. Some households use a part of their day to study, ask questions and solve problems together using Scripture as their authoritative guide. Regularly using God's Word demonstrates its importance and relevance to each person's life at any age. It can also be a time to share concerns or needs, then pray together for God's will.
Home worship strengthens a
family's interrelationships, provides personal application to God's Word and
gives opportunity for praise. So why don't all Christians do it?
REASONS AND EXCUSES
___ I'm not a good enough example to lead others in home worship.
___ I've never done it before, and I'm embarrassed to ask for help.
___ We get enough nurture on Sunday mornings.
___ My house is too unorganized to set up a family altar area.
___ My family thinks I'm too much of a religious fanatic already--I don't want to push them away.
___ Our family's schedule is crazy--where in the world could we fit it in?
___ It’s hard to ignore all the other things that have to get done asap.
___ I wouldn't know what materials to use.
___ I'm a self-conscience oral reader.
___ What would_____(fill in name) think of us?
___ I can read a Bible passage over and over and still don't understand it.
___ We all feel awkward, especially when praying together.
___ I wouldn't know how or when to start.
___ My children's ages are too varied, we can't keep their attention.
___ I get frustrated at all the distractions that usually happen during home worship.
___ Maybe it's fear of the unknown, or doing something different.
___ My husband is not a spiritual leader, and I don't want to usurp his God-given role.
___ If we get talking on a deep level, painful issues might come up.
___ I'm not good at memorized prayers.
___ If we can't be consistent, why start?
Which of these statements above are hurdles for you or your family? Discuss these concerns with a trusted friend, pastor or Christian counselor. Read Jeremiah 32:27[7] and know that Jesus wants to help you overcome these challenges.
The divinely-inspired book of Psalms tells us to:
+find joy in meditating on God's Word (1:1-3),
+enable children to praise Him (8:1-3),
+tell others the Lord’s promises and deeds (9:11),
+urgently pray for instruction and counsel
(32:6-8),
+worship the Creator (33:6-15),
+glorify God by exalting his name (34:1-3),
+proclaim His righteousness (35:28),
+remember our Redeemer's help and accessibility (46:1-11),
+thank Him for our families (113:9; 127:3),
+find security in his forgiveness (130:3-4,7),
+and praise Him in many ways (150:1-7).
YOUR TURN: BOUNTIFUL BENEFITS:
Family devotions are an opportunity to grow in Christ-likeness. While on earth, Jesus showed his total reliance on his Father through daily prayer and divine priorities. His commission for us is not only to "spread the good news" but also to actively use his Word to grow functioning disciples. [8] Everyone has a spiritual need to know God and his purposes for this life and the next. The family is the ideal size for "instruction in righteousness" by promoting spiritual literacy. We can't love our children into heaven. But we can be a living example of prayer, worship and meditating on Scripture. The Holy Spirit promises to bless our efforts.
DEVOTIONS--WHY?
A dictionary definition of the word “devote” indicates a giving over to a specific cause or use; to wholly center our attention for a sacred purpose. Scripture encourages us to “Serve him with wholehearted devotion and a willing mind” (I Chronicles 28:9), “Devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture” (I Timothy 4:13), “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love” (Romans 12:10), and “Devote yourself to prayer” (Colossians 4:2). A family devotion is one way of following these directives.
Unfortunately in our hectic technology-driven society, the structure of family units continue to change. Yet the Christian parents’ responsibility to disciple children in the "one thing needed" (Luke 10:42) will continue until the last generation.
As we build a better understanding of God, we will better appreciate the importance of family home worship. Children will be blessed with a secure sense of belonging through such traditions.
YOUR TURN:
Devotion attributes can be found by filling in the following acrostic using the indicated Scripture passages. Two examples are included.
D_______________________ Psalm 96:2,3
E ______________________ 2 Corinthians 9:12
Value & train for godliness I Timothy 4:8
O _____________________ I John 3:24
T ______________________ Colossians 3:16
I _______________________ I Timothy 2:1
O ______________________ Romans 12:1
N ______________________ Proverbs 3:7-8
Service preparation for body building
Ephesians 4:12
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