Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We have now come to the festive celebration and remembrance of our Lord Jesus'
Resurrection. It is appropriate, then, for us to consider our life of worship. God gives
and we receive. Then we give and God receives. First, God gives. Only after we have
received from God the forgiveness of our sins may we give Him anything at all. God
makes us His dear children by washing us in the Blood of the Lamb. Then we can
come to Him, as dear children come to their dear Father.
Resurrection. It is appropriate, then, for us to consider our life of worship. God gives
and we receive. Then we give and God receives. First, God gives. Only after we have
received from God the forgiveness of our sins may we give Him anything at all. God
makes us His dear children by washing us in the Blood of the Lamb. Then we can
come to Him, as dear children come to their dear Father.
We go to church. That's a given. That's where God gives us His Gospel and blessed
Sacraments. That's where we give Him our praise and thanksgiving. But is it only at
the formal services with our congregation held in a church building on Sunday
mornings, and at specific times of the year on Wednesday evenings, that this takes
place? By no means! God's Word belongs in the home where we live. If the pure
Word of God is what makes our congregation a Christian church, the pure Word of
God will make our home a Christian home!
Sacraments. That's where we give Him our praise and thanksgiving. But is it only at
the formal services with our congregation held in a church building on Sunday
mornings, and at specific times of the year on Wednesday evenings, that this takes
place? By no means! God's Word belongs in the home where we live. If the pure
Word of God is what makes our congregation a Christian church, the pure Word of
God will make our home a Christian home!
The Christian father is the pastor of his family! Yes, it's true! After giving Moses
His Law, God said to Moses and through him to all Israel: "These words which I
command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your
children" Deuteronomy 6:6-7). The Bible says nothing about Sunday schools,
Christian Day schools, vacation Bible schools, or any other kind of school
established for religious instruction of the young. The Bible talks about families
headed by fathers! St. Paul writes, "Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath,
but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4). Fathers
should lead their families in daily worship. If the father is unable to do so or if there
is no father, then the mother should do it.
His Law, God said to Moses and through him to all Israel: "These words which I
command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your
children" Deuteronomy 6:6-7). The Bible says nothing about Sunday schools,
Christian Day schools, vacation Bible schools, or any other kind of school
established for religious instruction of the young. The Bible talks about families
headed by fathers! St. Paul writes, "Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath,
but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4). Fathers
should lead their families in daily worship. If the father is unable to do so or if there
is no father, then the mother should do it.
What am I talking about? What is family worship? It is an abbreviated form of the
public service of the congregation? Does it include reading from the Bible, saying
the liturgy, singing hymns, and praying prayers?
public service of the congregation? Does it include reading from the Bible, saying
the liturgy, singing hymns, and praying prayers?
With older families or couples whose children are grown and gone from the home,
the reading from the Bible can be directly from the Holy Scriptures. The New King
James Version is a good translation that I recommend. (You may also use the
the reading from the Bible can be directly from the Holy Scriptures. The New King
James Version is a good translation that I recommend. (You may also use the
English Standard Version, which is what is read during worship services, but it takes
practice). Our families with younger children, I would recommend that you read
Bible story books for children. These are available from Concordia Publishing House.
I particularly recommend, "A Child's Garden of Bible Stories." It is very good. If
you need assistance, please ask me. I can even order for you!
practice). Our families with younger children, I would recommend that you read
Bible story books for children. These are available from Concordia Publishing House.
I particularly recommend, "A Child's Garden of Bible Stories." It is very good. If
you need assistance, please ask me. I can even order for you!
We recite
from memory the liturgy at church.
I would guess
that most of us know
by
heart the words of the Gloria in Excelsis, the Sanctus, the Agnus Dei, both the
Apostle's and the Nicene creeds, and the Lord's Prayer. For family devotions, I
recommend saying The Ten Commandments (without their meanings), the Apostles'
Creed, and the Lord's Prayer. These are a solid foundation for our lives as Christians.
heart the words of the Gloria in Excelsis, the Sanctus, the Agnus Dei, both the
Apostle's and the Nicene creeds, and the Lord's Prayer. For family devotions, I
recommend saying The Ten Commandments (without their meanings), the Apostles'
Creed, and the Lord's Prayer. These are a solid foundation for our lives as Christians.
Good,
doctrinally
sound, Christ-centered
hymns are
a wonderful feature
of family
devotions. I grew up knowing the best hymns in the hymnal - the great hymns of Dr.
Martin Luther, Paul Gerhardt, and many others. If you have a hard time deciding
what hymns to sing, singing the hymn of the day from the previous Sunday service!
We have plenty of old hymnals at the church. Let's discuss allowing members to
take them home and use them!
devotions. I grew up knowing the best hymns in the hymnal - the great hymns of Dr.
Martin Luther, Paul Gerhardt, and many others. If you have a hard time deciding
what hymns to sing, singing the hymn of the day from the previous Sunday service!
We have plenty of old hymnals at the church. Let's discuss allowing members to
take them home and use them!
We gather to
pray. The greatest of prayers is The Lord's
Prayer.
Jesus taught it
to us
and we pray it every time we gather for worship in His Name. There are other fine
prayers in the Catechism, such as Luther's morning and evening prayers. Fathers,
teach, especially these three, to your children!
and we pray it every time we gather for worship in His Name. There are other fine
prayers in the Catechism, such as Luther's morning and evening prayers. Fathers,
teach, especially these three, to your children!
Home devotions
should
not have to last more than ten minutes,
unless you get into a
theological conversation at the end and keep visiting around the table. I recommend
setting a specific time aside and stick to it. Reserve it! Cherish it!
theological conversation at the end and keep visiting around the table. I recommend
setting a specific time aside and stick to it. Reserve it! Cherish it!
Here
is a sample form for you to consider
for your family
worship:
Invocation:
"In the Name of the Father, and of the
Son +, and of the
Holy
Spirit.
Amen" [Yes, its perfect acceptable to cross yourselves; it has nothing, whatsoever, to do with
the Roman Church. Rather, it's in remembrance of your Baptism].
Amen" [Yes, its perfect acceptable to cross yourselves; it has nothing, whatsoever, to do with
the Roman Church. Rather, it's in remembrance of your Baptism].
Recitation of
the Ten Commandments
Recitation
of The Apostles'
Creeds [Our children
already know it,
so continue
at home].
Reading from
the Bible/Bible story book
Singing
of a hymn
Closing with The
Lord's
Prayer [Our children already know it, so continue
at home.
Fathers, bring
God's Word into
your homes. Place the hearing,
learning,'
confessing,
and singing of God's Word above every other pursuit in life. Do it! You won't regret
it. If you have any practical (or impractical!) questions about home devotions, give
me a call or stop me after worship service and bend my ear. I'll do what I can to help.
and singing of God's Word above every other pursuit in life. Do it! You won't regret
it. If you have any practical (or impractical!) questions about home devotions, give
me a call or stop me after worship service and bend my ear. I'll do what I can to help.
Your brother
in Christ,
Pastor Patterson
