The Simplicity of Family Worship
Family worship does not require a seminary degree, a pipe organ, or a formal liturgy. It requires a Bible, a willing heart, and a few minutes that are intentionally set aside. The early church met in homes. The Psalms were sung around family tables. The commandment to Israel was not "take your children to the priests" but "talk of these things when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise."
If your family has never practiced regular worship together, the four weeks of Advent are an ideal beginning. The devotional gives you a structure, a Scripture text, and a question. You bring the family and the willingness to sit still for a few minutes.
A Simple Format That Works
Read a Scripture passage aloud. Ask one discussion question. Pray briefly together. The whole thing takes ten to fifteen minutes. Consistency matters far more than length or eloquence. A simple fifteen-minute family worship time practiced every week for a year will shape your family more deeply than any single event.
Practical Suggestions
Choose a regular time. After dinner works well for many families — everyone is already gathered. The same evening each week removes the friction of scheduling. Advent is a natural season to establish this rhythm before the new year.
Let the children participate. Give younger children the task of lighting a candle before worship begins. Let older children take turns reading Scripture aloud. Ask even the youngest children the discussion questions — their answers are often more honest and more theological than the adults expect.
Keep it short. A fifteen-minute family worship time that happens every week is worth infinitely more than an hour-long session that happens twice a year. Guard the brevity jealously, especially at the start. You can always go longer when the conversation takes you there; you cannot force length when attention is gone.
Don't wait until you feel ready. There is no right preparation. Open the Bible, read the passage, ask the question, pray. The Holy Spirit is sufficient to work through imperfect fathers and mothers who are willing to try.
"A simple fifteen-minute family worship time practiced every week for a year will shape your family more deeply than any single event."
The Four Elements
Historically, family worship has included four simple elements. You do not need all four every time, but each adds something:
Scripture Reading
Read the passage for the week aloud. For longer passages, divide the reading among family members.
Discussion
Ask one or two questions from the week's devotional. Let the conversation go where it goes.
Singing
A single verse of a Christmas hymn sung together is enough. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel is particularly fitting for Advent.
Prayer
Close with a brief prayer — thanksgiving, confession, a request. Let the oldest child or youngest adult lead sometimes.
Further Resources
If you want to deepen your family worship practice beyond this Advent season, these resources are worth your time:
- Desiring God — Articles on Family Worship — A rich collection of practical and theological articles on leading your family in worship.
- The ESV Bible Online — All Scripture readings in this devotional link to the English Standard Version.
- Donald Whitney, Family Worship — A short, practical book on establishing and sustaining the habit.