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| Recommended Reading |
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Some Favorite BOOKS: 1. The Family Worship Book by Terry Johnson. With the exception of chapter five, (which gives a very stilted, liturgical, stiff “sample” of Family Worship that I wouldn’t necessarily recommend), this book is a TREASURE CHEST of resources, all in one. It includes: a “read through the Bible in one year” chart, a good catechism for very young children, a more advanced catechism, a GREAT “guide to prayer” by Isaac Watts, hymns and songs to sing, entire sections of the books of Proverbs and Psalms, various church creeds, “50 great Bible passages to memorize and/or learn”, etc. It’s a great, “starter”/one-step resource. 2. Proverbs by Charles Bridges As Proverbs 4:7 states – “Wisdom is the PRINCIPLE THING; therefore, GET WISDOM”. There’s no better study for children (young ones and teens) than the book of Proverbs. Each individual proverb is not only packed with important “life truths”, but they are “short and pithy”…which lends them well to short Family Worship topics. (And Charles Bridges Commentary is excellent. But be advised: you’ll have to read his commentary FIRST, by yourself, and give a “translated,” easier to understand, explanation to your family). 3. Day by Day with J.C. Ryle_by J.C. Ryle This book is just a good, rock solid, daily devotional book. The key here is: don’t just “read” it…try and discuss, illustrate and make it relevant to real life! 4. The Heidelberg Catechism (or any other good Catechism). The key to using catechisms
is to go beyond merely “reading” or “memorizing” the questions and answers,
but (instead) teaching, discussing, and asking probing questions to gauge
your family’s understanding of the important biblical truths within the
catechism. Also, you will want to use relatable commentaries that
can help you prepare. In order to keep it fresh and interesting use
relatable illustrations, and press past your children’s first, second and
third “surface” answers!
5. The Pilgrim’s Progress (parts I & II) by John Bunyan “The Pilgrim’s Progress” is the book that Charles Spurgeon (and many others) called the “book that you MUST read, second only to the Bible”. It’s a Spiritual allegory that documents the life of “Pilgrim” (the main character) through the various stages of his journey to the “Celestial City”, in a way that is symbolic (and very edifying) of the various stages and experiences of Christianity. (Just keep a Bible handy, to keep the Bible references throughout the book, a part of this study!). * “The Pilgrim’s Progress” by Warren Wiersbe is a modern day version that is easily understood, and it also includes Bible references. 6. For leading small children to Christ: “Leading Little Ones to God,” by Marian M. Schoolland For leading older teens (and edifying them), and for adults: WORD PICTURES produced by CROSSTV (Mark Kielar) 7. “Foxe’s Book of Martyrs,” by John Foxe; “The New Foxe’s Book of Martyrs” by _John Foxe and “Jesus Freaks,” by DC Talk These three books are WONDERFULLY INSPIRATIONAL for sharing the faith, commitment and grace that our forefathers in the faith had, and for learning important lessons regarding the persecution that comes with Christianity. (Just keep in mind, this too (in order to be a “Bible study”) will require supplementation with appropriate Bible texts). 8. For Couples: Heirs To Christ A good, solid, “Puritan” devotional for couples. 9. 1 Corinthians 13:5 “Love is not Rude” in conjunction with: “How To Raise A Gentleman”//”How To Raise A Lady” by Kay West The books “How To Raise...” are actually secular books on “manners”. But, when done in conjunction with 1 Corinthians 13:5, it becomes a ripe training ground for teaching your children manners. 10. “The Bible Looking Glass”, by John W. Barber (and others), published in 1874 by Bradley, Garretson & Co., Philadelphia and William Garreston & Co, in Columbus, Ohio This book is a gem! It provides dozens of Family Worship studies, by presenting a theme, a pen & ink illustration, Bible verses that are applicable, and then a short commentary. The way we’ve used it in our home is: (1) The children are each assigned a Bible verse to look up. (The lesson from The Bible Looking Glass provides the supporting Scripture). (2) The children view the picture (while dad covers, with his hand, any indication of what the lesson might be about). (3) The children read aloud their Bible verses (while keeping in mind the picture they just viewed). They then try to guess what they believe the lesson will be about…and sometimes they guess correctly! (4) Finally, dad (with mom’s help) shares the lesson as provided, but using language that is understandable for those who are listening. (5) And…if you have a little soloist in your group – the lesson typically comes with a hymn or verse of poetry that can be either sung or recited. Our daughter Jordan loves to sing these each time (to her own tune, of course!). This treasure can be found
(with some searching) on E-bay, through Barnes & Nobles “out-of-print
and used books” section, old/used bookstores (in fact the copy we were
introduced to was found in a rare/used bookstore in Fort Lauderdale), antique/used
book dealers on-line, “grandma/pa’s attic”, etc.
Some Favorite IDEAS: For Couples – Daily Joint Prayer – Each day, husband and wife meet (we actually do this by telephone at 12:00 noon, due to mornings being too hectic, dinner time being Family worship time, and “bed time” being too “sleepy”) and alternate praying over 5 petitions. One day the wife prays first (laying out her heart before the Lord about the five most important matters, one at a time, her husband echoing her prayers, in turn, in between each petition), and then, the next day, they both pray for the husbands “list” in the same way and order. (This is an outstanding way to not only “bond” as husband and wife, and keep the most important matters of life bathed in conjugal prayer, but it has the added benefit of hearing and learning about the matters that are most vital to your spouse!). For Families – Shared devotionals at dinner time – Each day, all family members convene for dinner. Afterwards, a time of opening prayer is offered by the father, mother or one of the children (asking for God’s blessing on the time discussing His Word) and then family members go around the room and share what they learned in their morning devotionals…AS WELL AS…HOW THEY APPLIED IT (OR NOT) THROUGHOUT THE DAY! (This is an excellent form of both shared time in the Word, and high levels of accountability on each family member’s personal devotional time, and personal walk with the Lord!). Study Key Bible Passages - (For learning, discussing and/or memorizing during Family Worship) – Of course, ALL Scripture is “God breathed” and “profitable for rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness”. But there are also many passages that are particularly foundational to Christian life, and/or that lend themselves particularly well to Family Worship For example:
“CRITICAL NEEDS” Family Prayer – Each day, the family can meet for Family Worship, and simply pray (one at a time) for CRITICAL NEEDS (for themselves, for the church, for missionaries, for the nation, for other countries, for our military, etc.) Prayer time can be centered on a particular temporal family crisis (ie: health, financial, etc), or particular sins or spiritual struggles, or simply for spiritual gifts and graces (such as requests for more patience, more kindness, more faith, etc.). It’s important that the needs are discussed…the prayers are kept from being too long winded…and that there is a fresh, clear understanding that prayer is not just religious ritual, but an ACTUAL “MEANS OF GRACE” that CAN and DOES CHANGE things! For Teaching Your Children How to Pray – Excellent resources
include:
The father or mother can share what God has been teaching them – If your OWN devotional life (as a parent) is adequate, you should be able to have plenty of “ammo” to bring to the altar of Family Worship. Sunday Sermons Sunday sermons from Church can be an OUTSTANDING source of content for Family Worship. Just pay attention at church, take good notes, and then ask (and discuss) the following: 1) What was the main theme
of the sermon?
Then close in prayer, with an emphasis on praying for the Pastors, and the grace to do what they instruct from the Word.
Proverbs for Parenting by
Barbara Decker
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