TOGETHER WITH GOD:
An Introduction to Family Worship
By Ed Mackenzie & Gareth Crispin
Morse-Brown Publishing. 93 pages. £6.95
ISBN 978 1 907 615 214
Family worship appears to be foreign to many Christian families. Time pressure, lack of interest and the many other demands on family life often squeeze out the possibility for reading the Bible and praying together as a family.
Together with God is a helpful resource for families to rethink how they might spend time together during the week to read God’s word and pray. The authors are firmly convinced from the Bible that such time is both necessary and invaluable if we are to bring our children up ‘in the training and instruction of the Lord’. ‘In the Bible, families have a crucial role in helping children grow in faith, with parents given the responsibility of bringing up their children to love and serve God. Family worship is one of the key ways this can take place.’ (p.6)
Why it is important
The book’s introduction sets out some biblical principles on why family worship is important, and what it might look like in practice. 15 testimonies follow, from families of different backgrounds, places and life situations, all of whom are seeking to put God’s Word and prayer at the heart of their family’s life together. There is a wide range of practice and suggestions, all emphasising the centrality of the Bible and a relationship with God in family life. The final section at the end gives a list of helpful resources and websites.
The result is not a template we all have to follow, but a fresh encouragement to take the Bible’s command seriously to teach our children God’s Word, and a range of ways to do that. A short book, well worth reading.
