Creating an Atmosphere of Worship in the Home
Session 2: How Homes Worship
As we discover this concept of worship at a family level, it is necessary that we understand that this is not a new concept. Since the beginning, worship has always been a matter of the family long before it was a communal or national concept. Whether it was Noah and his family (Genesis 6:18) or Abraham and his family (Genesis 12), worship begins in the nuclear family. We also see this in the New Testament as those converted usually experienced conversion as a family (Acts 16:31-34). It is to help us understand that the Bible not only encourages us to worship as a home, but also gives us a paradigm to follow as we seek to worship as a home.
Here are five principles seen in the Bible that instruct us on how we are called to worship in our homes. Please take a moment to read each of them and discuss where you have seen them:
Each of these commandments to worship the Lord as families were instrumental in ensuring that the nation of Israel and the Christian movement was full of families that would continue in the faith. These models of worship not only set a standard of worship, but they also positioned the families to see the Lord honor them (1 Samuel 2:30) through blessings (2 Samuel 7:29) and expressions of goodness and love (Psalm 84:11-12).
As we review each of these commandments that were spoken and/or enacted, consider your own family. Are you experiencing the peace, blessing and unity of God in your home? Or are you witnessing anxiety, discord and division in your home? In most cases, you will see that the home that is out of line with the plan and model ordained by the Lord experiences symptoms that are not healthy or spiritually wholesome (Matthew 7:26).
Finally, consider which of the five principles are not currently present in your home’s worship space and how you can implement it. Take a moment after the study to have conversation around the following question:
Which of these are present in our home and which aren’t present? When and where can we begin to make them a normal part of our home’s function?
Date(s)_______________________ Time(s)_________________________
Adjustments that need to take place:
__________________________
Exercise: When Homes Worship (Please fill in the blanks in the boxes below.)
1. We are to worship, share and fellowship with other families in the faith.
Scripture Reference: Acts 2:44-47
How does the family worship?_________________________________________________________
What are the benefits of the families’ worship? __________________________________________
2. We are to invite Christ to an encounter with our entire home, not just our individual lives.
Scripture Reference: Luke 19:1-10
How does the family worship?_________________________________________________________
What are the benefits of the families’ worship?
3. We are to invite Christ to an encounter with our entire home, not just our individual lives.
Scripture Reference: Luke 19:1-10
How does the family worship?_________________________________________________________
What are the benefits of the families’ worship?
4. We are to speak of the Lord’s goodness to the next generation.
Scripture Reference: Psalm 78:3-8
How does the family worship?_________________________________________________________
What are the benefits of the families’ worship?
5. Children honor their parents and parents raise their children in the fear of the Lord.
Scripture Reference: Ephesians 6:1-4, Proverbs 29:17
How does the family worship?_________________________________________________________
What are the benefits of the families’ worship?
Session 2: How Homes Worship
As we discover this concept of worship at a family level, it is necessary that we understand that this is not a new concept. Since the beginning, worship has always been a matter of the family long before it was a communal or national concept. Whether it was Noah and his family (Genesis 6:18) or Abraham and his family (Genesis 12), worship begins in the nuclear family. We also see this in the New Testament as those converted usually experienced conversion as a family (Acts 16:31-34). It is to help us understand that the Bible not only encourages us to worship as a home, but also gives us a paradigm to follow as we seek to worship as a home.
Here are five principles seen in the Bible that instruct us on how we are called to worship in our homes. Please take a moment to read each of them and discuss where you have seen them:
- We are to worship and fellowship with other families in the faith.
- We are to invite Christ to an encounter with our home, not just our individual lives.
- We are to teach and train our children in the Word of God.
- We are to speak of the Lord’s goodness to the next generation.
- Children honor their parents and parents raise their children in the fear of the Lord.
Each of these commandments to worship the Lord as families were instrumental in ensuring that the nation of Israel and the Christian movement was full of families that would continue in the faith. These models of worship not only set a standard of worship, but they also positioned the families to see the Lord honor them (1 Samuel 2:30) through blessings (2 Samuel 7:29) and expressions of goodness and love (Psalm 84:11-12).
As we review each of these commandments that were spoken and/or enacted, consider your own family. Are you experiencing the peace, blessing and unity of God in your home? Or are you witnessing anxiety, discord and division in your home? In most cases, you will see that the home that is out of line with the plan and model ordained by the Lord experiences symptoms that are not healthy or spiritually wholesome (Matthew 7:26).
Finally, consider which of the five principles are not currently present in your home’s worship space and how you can implement it. Take a moment after the study to have conversation around the following question:
Which of these are present in our home and which aren’t present? When and where can we begin to make them a normal part of our home’s function?
Date(s)_______________________ Time(s)_________________________
Adjustments that need to take place:
__________________________
Exercise: When Homes Worship (Please fill in the blanks in the boxes below.)
1. We are to worship, share and fellowship with other families in the faith.
Scripture Reference: Acts 2:44-47
How does the family worship?_________________________________________________________
What are the benefits of the families’ worship? __________________________________________
2. We are to invite Christ to an encounter with our entire home, not just our individual lives.
Scripture Reference: Luke 19:1-10
How does the family worship?_________________________________________________________
What are the benefits of the families’ worship?
3. We are to invite Christ to an encounter with our entire home, not just our individual lives.
Scripture Reference: Luke 19:1-10
How does the family worship?_________________________________________________________
What are the benefits of the families’ worship?
4. We are to speak of the Lord’s goodness to the next generation.
Scripture Reference: Psalm 78:3-8
How does the family worship?_________________________________________________________
What are the benefits of the families’ worship?
5. Children honor their parents and parents raise their children in the fear of the Lord.
Scripture Reference: Ephesians 6:1-4, Proverbs 29:17
How does the family worship?_________________________________________________________
What are the benefits of the families’ worship?