The Pastor's Desk

Just this past week, the Southern Baptist Convention voted to pass a resolution on the importance of family worship.  I am greatly encouraged that among all the important issues to address in our day, our convention leaders and messengers saw fit to make this a priority and pass this wonderful resolution affirming and encouraging biblical family worship.  I encourage you to read it below.

Matthew Henry, the great Puritan preacher and author, wrote these words: “I know not any thing that will contribute more to the furtherance of this good work than the bringing of family religion more into practice and reputation.  Here the reformation must begin.  Other methods may check the disease we complain of, but this, if it might universally obtain, would cure it.  Salt must be cast into these springs, and then the waters would be healed.”

This message is designed to help fathers (and parents generally) fulfill their high calling and privileged blessing of leading their families in worship and discipleship.  Our age is one which professionalizes Christianity and calls on the clergy to do the work of ministry.  But God has not ordered it so (Eph. 4:12)!  The command to transmit God’s Word and make disciples in the home is given to parents directly (Dt. 6:4-9; Eph. 6:4).  They are the teachers, trainers and worship leaders of their children.  Therefore, if we are to recover biblical ministry and biblical church life, it must begin with a reformation of family worship.  I pray that this message and these resources will help us all be more faithful to raise our children “in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4).  May Christ get all the glory in every home!

Here is a short video from John Piper about how he got his children started in private devotions:

 

 Fathers Leading Families in Worship: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
 Fathers Leading Families in Worship: Download
 Family Worship Guide: Download
 Family Worship by John and Noel Piper: Download
 SBC Resolution on Family Worship: Download

1. Matt Morrow says:

   June 22, 2010 at 9:55 pm

   Good stuff, Josh. While I read the Bible with my kids almost every night before bed, I’ve been feeling God prompting me to do even more. They ask every night excitedly if we are going to read the Bible, so I think this is definitely a ripe time to implement even more…especially since our older two are getting to where they can grasp concepts beyond your normal Bible stories. It’s a responsibility us Dad’s cannot ignore.