The Family Worship Guide: A Handbook for the Christian Home

by Darren T. Williamson

The Family Worship Guide is a call to rediscover and implement the biblical practice of family worship, a discipline that will encourage the development multigenerational disciples and strengthen the core of Christian families throughout the body of Christ. Christian parents have a special and profound calling to disciple their children faithfully and instruct them in the ways of Christ.




In the past, family worship was a common practice, attested in the writings of the early Church, the sixteenth-century Reformers, the Puritans, and prominent leaders in the American Restoration Movement. Family worship today, however, is rarely practiced and many dedicated Christians have no understanding or experience of it. Designed to inspire and equip Christian parents, this handbook is a guide to take up that call by making family worship an established part of a family's routine.




Readers will find this handbook both inspiring and useful, whether they be experienced worship leaders or Christian parents with little or no experience or knowledge of family worship. Christian homeschooling families will particularly resonate with its themes. Churches can use this material in parenting classes, give it to parents at baby blessings, and make available in church libraries.

151 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 7, 2020

Reviews

[Mark Thiesen · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all know people affected or have heard about the disturbing statistics. Young adults are walking away from the faith in droves. Parents agonize over how they will implant lasting faith in their children at a time like this. Darren T. Williamson offers a wonderful tool in his The Family Worship Guide: A Handbook for the Christian Home, which notes that God has entrusted parents with a “special and profound” calling to transmit the faith to their children and that this must be an intentional part of the family’s everyday fabric of life. The book reviews how parents in both the Old and New Testaments were expected to carry out this mandate and then traces how Christians have followed this charge throughout history. Parents are given the time they have with their children to teach them to love the Lord. One week per year at Bible camp or one hour per week in Sunday school is insufficient to counteract the ongoing pernicious influence that the secularism of our culture exerts on them every single day. Williamson next outlines some of the rewards that families can expect by having regular worship together that are sure to move even the most reluctant parent. Some of these rewards will be delightful surprises. But what about parents who know they need to step up but lack the necessary confidence or even the knowledge of where to begin? That’s what makes the next part of this book so priceless. It is the “How To” section, loaded with the practical suggestions and tools that will help make any parent’s dream of having solid family worship attainable. Here are outlined the components of family worship—reading the word, recitation of key texts, singing, and praying—with explanations and practical suggestions for each area. Finally, the last 54 pages of the book are full of resources to put meat on the bones of a family’s worship time, including worship guides, discussion questions, Bible reading plans, and songs. There’s even a “Snow Day Family Worship” suggested service for when regular church services are canceled. This would come in handy during a time of pandemic like the one we are experiencing now. The Family Worship Guide arrives at a propitious time. Because of today’s busy lifestyles, the more important responsibilities too easily fall between the cracks. Anecdotal evidence suggests that most Christian families today don’t have regular worship time together. Some parents who want to make this commitment simply feel inadequate. Darren Williamson has addressed both of these issues. He has both shown the importance and beauty of family worship and provided even the most daunted parents the tools they need to confidently begin a family tradition that could yield spiritual benefits for generations to come. This resource will invigorate your family’s relationship with God. It will also make a precious gift to share with the young families in your life.

[Logan Brasher · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best and most practical books on family worship I have read. I've been drawn towards family worship books written by Reformed authors. The Family Worship Guide features a Restorationist author who offers the most practical help on getting family worship started and keeping it going. It's never dull, and offers a great balance of biblical mandate for family worship and helpful tips on making it work for your family. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to start a regular practice of family worship in their home.