Are you thinking of establishing family worship in your home? Maybe you didn’t grow up with family worship and have no idea what it’s like. Or, maybe you are familiar with worship in the home but are still stuck on what to do with your family.
Here are six basic things you can do at any family worship. Ideally, you will do all six of them . . . or at least most of them. If you’re short on time, do some in the morning and some in the evening!
Oh, and if you’re already experienced with family worship, maybe you’ll get some new ideas. There are really more than 25 ideas here!
This list works for any number of family members and all ages!
#1 Read
One of the most important things to do at family worship is read the Bible. However, there are other reading things you can do at family worship that may be interesting and helpful.
- Read the Bible (very important!)
- Read a Bible story book (especially good for young children)
- Read a devotional book
- Read a mission story book (inspiring!)
- Read an educational book on a Biblical topic.
#2 Share
Sharing time is a good thing to include in family worship. In reality, sharing is likely to occur throughout the worship as family members have thoughts, questions, or opinions to share! However, a specific sharing time can be helpful. A great time for this is right before prayer–you can share your praises and prayer requests, and learn about the concerns family members have that you can then incorporate into your prayers.
- Share what God has done for you lately
- Share your personal experiences
- Share what you’ve been learning about God
- Share what you have read/studied lately
- Share verses you have memorized
- Share prayer requests
#3 Pray
This is the other vitally important component of family worship!
- Praise God
- Pray about the prayer requests you have shared
- Pray for your family
- Pray for each member of the family, and their specific needs
- Pray for others
- Pray for God’s protection/guidance for the day (in the morning), the coming night, or the next day (in the evening)
#4 Listen
Sometimes it’s easier to talk than to listen, but listening is important to. Of course, you should listen when someone is reading, sharing, or praying, but there are specific listening activities you can include in your worship as well.
- Listen to the Bible on audio
- Listen to a Bible story or other recorded story (like a mission story)
- “Listen” for what God wants you to learn from what you read or listen to
- Listen to a song, especially if singing is not your thing. You still need some music in your worship!
#5 Study
Dig deeper than just reading or listening.
- Study a passage of the Bible
- Discuss what you are reading. What does it mean? How does it apply to your lives? This could apply to a Bible reading, a Bible story, a devotional, or anything you are reading.
- Discuss what you listened to.
- Teach your children about a specific word, concept, principle, Bible character, event, etc.
#6 Sing
Add some music!
- Sing some hymns, Scripture songs, worship songs, or whatever fits
- Listen to a song and sing along
- Learn a new song
And there you are! Six basic things to do at family worship.
