Creating an Atmosphere of Worship in the Home
Session 5: Creating a Template for Worship
Now that we have considered the various facets of worship, the question is raised, “So what should be included in the worship that takes place in MY home?†This session is designed to present several potential components that can be included in your home’s worship model. We will begin with the central elements and then present other possible items that could be included.
Central Elements in Home Worship
Other elements of Home Worship
Session 5: Creating a Template for Worship
Now that we have considered the various facets of worship, the question is raised, “So what should be included in the worship that takes place in MY home?†This session is designed to present several potential components that can be included in your home’s worship model. We will begin with the central elements and then present other possible items that could be included.
Central Elements in Home Worship
- Prayer - Prayer is central to our relationship with God (Luke 18:1, 1 Thessalonians 5:17). It is a gift given to us through the work of the Jesus Christ on the cross (Ephesians 2:18). This is the primary method by which we have communication with our Heavenly Father and He with us. If our homes are going to be guided and directed by the Lord, it will be through the space of prayer. This period - or space- of prayer can include several different elements:
- Confession (1 John 1:9) – This is when we confess our sins to one another and pray about them for healing (James 5:16) and/or we confess our sins to God for heart cleansing (Psalm 51:7-10). Because of the transparency presented, it must be a space of that is full of love and not judgement.
- Petitions (Philippians 4:6-7) – The most common part of prayer is when we cast our cares upon the Lord (1 Peter 5:7) through our personal and corporate requests. To do this, you may allow each family member to take turns listing their prayer requests and then pray over all of the requests at one time. You may also allow each person to present their own requests to the Lord. Just remember that as we pray, we must present our requests in the name of Jesus (John 16:23,26).
- Listening to God (Psalm 85:8) – We must not only pray, but we must make room for the Lord to respond after our prayer requests have been made. Because prayer is a dialogue – not a monologue – we are to remain in a posture of listening after our petitions to receive the promises and/or directives of heaven in response to our prayer.
- Family prayer – You can also create a prayer for your family. It could be based upon the vision, values and spiritual development goals of your home. This can be recited as a closing prayer or a regular prayer in your home.
- Journal of Prayer Requests and Answers – You can purchase a journal to keep a record of your prayers and how the Lord has answered them (Psalm 105:5). It can be kept in a central location so that members of the family can add to it as needed.
- Bible Study – The second key element in the worship space of the home is instruction in the Word of God (Joshua 1:8). The Bible gives the central guiding principles and promises of God for the life and home of the Christian (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Without it, our homes miss the fulness of life in Jesus Christ. But with it, our homes become the centers of our family’s love, life and blessings through Jesus Christ (John 15:7-8). We see long life (Deuteronomy 6:2), prayers answered (1 John 5:14) and we see success in all that we do (Joshua 1:7; Psalm 1:2-3). Our bible study spaces should contain the following components:
- Reading the scripture (Deuteronomy 6:6-9) – There should be a period of selecting and reading a scripture. You should determine how you will decide upon which scripture text to read (prayer, devotional reading, bible study material, or topic).
- Meditating on the scripture (Psalm 119:97-100) – After reading the scripture, there should be a period of discussion that encourages the family to apply it to their daily lives individually and corporately (James 1:21-25). There should be three questions asked: 1) What is God saying to us about Himself?; 2) What is God to us about ourselves?; 3) How is the Lord calling us to respond to this scripture? After these have been asked, the question to the third answer can be posted in the home to provide a reminder for the entire family of God’s commandment.
- Spiritual Songs – As a way of setting the atmosphere both internally and externally, there is nothing more effective than music. As Christians, we are encouraged to included singing in our spaces of gathering and worship (Ephesians 5:19-20). You can use audio devices to play music (primarily to set an atmosphere). I would recommend instrumentals on a music website or app. Also, different members of the family could determine which music will be used for the worship space. In time, a listing of devotional music can be created so that the selection process is less time consuming. During the time of worship, music can also be sang by the family in order to teach the next generation spiritual songs that may not have been written or recorded.
Other elements of Home Worship
- Taking off shoes – This is an act of reverence for the Lord in the space. Because many of our areas for family worship are common home spaces, the removal of shoes indicates that the space is being designated for a holy purpose. We see the removal of shoes in Exodus 3:5 when Moses is commanded to do it in the midst of the burning bush and in Joshua 5:15 when the Angel asks Joshua to do the same. In each instance, the reason for doing it is the holiness of the ground. In Egyptian culture, it was a gesture that indicated that you were in the chambers of a king. By taking off our shoes, we humbly invite the King of Glory into and acknowledge His presence within our space of worship.
- Lighting of Candles – This is a universal symbol related to religious practices. It symbolizes everything from the presence of God to the light of Christ in the world. Candles can be used in numerous ways during family worship. They can be used to indicate periods of silence, the presence of God in the midst of the worship space, or the beginning and ending of the worship space. You can also use oil or incense burners that require tealights to add fragrances like frankincense, cinnamon or other oils during the worship period.
- Worship Meal – Many communities communicated their faith over meals. From the Seder meal commemorating the Passover (Matthew 26:17) to the early church meals (Acts 2:46c-47b), the space of eating has been a great platform for sharing the faith. As a family, you can use a meal as a part of your worship time. It is recommended that it should be a time that includes the entire family, a space of open dialogue, and a space where the meal is eaten with gratitude. It may include prayer, reconciliation, moments of dialogue about the family’s faith history, or other things. Just remember that it is to be designated as a space that will facilitate and support the worship atmosphere.