Family Worship

Our church put out a Lent Guide for our families.

It’s a weekly set-up where families are encouraged to read about a miracle Jesus did, discussion questions, a catechism, and a prayer point.

So, the last three weeks we have read through the material.

At dinner the other night, I sat down with the girls and read the assigned passage.

It was Luke 5: 17-26, where Jesus heals a paralytic.

I had this unrealistic picture that everyone would be listening intently, soaking in truth – basically doing all the right things.

Basically I was believing all the lies.

Instead, the entire time I read the passage, the girls were fidgety.

Torpedo kept moving around and flinging food.

Tempest kept asking when we’d be done so she could go back outside.

Sprite listened, but all the while sitting at the edge of her seat waiting to make a mad dash to the front door.

And, Banshee kept dashing underneath the kitchen table.

It looked just shy of complete chaos.

Everyone seemed preoccupied.

But, I kept reading.

They heard how the friends of the paralyzed man acted boldly to be with Jesus.

They heard how Jesus commended their faith and forgave their sins.

They heard that the Pharisees called Jesus’ action blasphemous.

They heard how Jesus healed the man.

They heard that Jesus has power over sickness and disease.

They heard that only God can heal what we can’t.

They heard that Jesus heals our disease: sin.

They heard.

Reading this passage brought about some quick discussions regarding the trinity, baptism, and sin.

All of that to say, reading scripture aloud to your children won’t always be picturesque.

But, it’s important because when you do read scripture aloud to them, they hear the Word.

They experience the love and beauty of Jesus.

Side note: please don’t read this post and think I have it all together. This is not a normal rhythm for us, though I desire it to be so.

Instead, I’m using this opportunity to begin a rhythm of family worship.

So, keep sharing the Word with your children.

You will not regret it.

O my people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter hidden things, things from of old–what we have heard and known, what our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done. He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.”

Psalm 78: 1-6