Pastors Unite to Promote Family Bible Reading in Recognition of Family Worship Month
RICHMOND, VA, Jan. 24, 2012 — January is Family Worship Month and pastors around the world are speaking to their congregations Sunday, January 29th about the importance of reading the scriptures, praying and singing together as a family in the home. Sign the Family Worship Month Declaration.
The release of the films Courageous and Gather the Family have ignited thousands of men to become spiritual leaders in the home. Additionally, well known authors, theologians, and Christian leaders have stepped out in front of the Family Worship Movement to humbly call the church back to this historic, and life-changing spiritual discipline. Some of the prominent leaders include the following:
Joel R. Beeke
"As goes the home, so goes the church, and so goes the nation. Therefore it is of vital importance to us that we, the ministers of the Word, promote family worship in our congregations."
Ray Rhodes
"The Reformation era left a rich legacy of family worship. The goal of family worship is for you and your family to be exposed to the character of God so that you may know and worship Him. Family worship involves regular family gatherings and will always include Scripture readings and prayer. However, you may also use other material that will help you to focus on the great work of God throughout history. Remember, as the Puritans taught, your home is a "little church" where Christ is to be worshipped. The little church does not replace the local church; however, faithfulness in family worship will greatly enhance the congregational worship of God."
Don Whitney
"In conjunction with Family Worship Month, many Christian leaders have already signed the Family Worship Declaration. Sunday, January 29, 2012 is Family Worship Sunday and a multitude of pastors will encourage their congregations to begin the practice of Family Worship in the home. You can also visit the website, www.FamilyWorshipMonth.com to read articles and watch videos explaining the importance of, and how to engage in, Family Worship."
Jerry Marcellino
"There is a tool that could possibly do the most generational good in our reforming efforts, but it has been either lost or grossly neglected, even in reforming churches! This tool is called family worship. Family worship is the daily practice of Christian homes offering together true "worth-ship" to the living God. It is to be a purposefully-scheduled, daily worship service in every Christian home (Joshua 24:15). This God-honoring tool for reformation is one that should be given high priority by every church in its ongoing work."
Ted Tripp
"It is not possible to overstate the benefits of family worship. God is acknowledged, not just theoretically, but practically; God is in each day's agenda. Family needs are brought before God. Each member of the family is reminded daily that in God we find the life that is truly life. Hearing members of the family pray provides insight into their thoughts of God. Each day provides new opportunities to impress children with the importance of knowing God. Organizing life around God is a powerful expression of family priorities."
Terry Johnson
"If your children are in your home for 18 years, you have 6,570 occasions (figuring a six day week) for family worship. What is the cumulative impact of just 15 minutes of this each day, day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year, for 18 years?"
Ray Comfort
"In Old Testament times, people built altars to God to commemorate something He had done. Altars served as a memorial to teach succeeding generations about God and His character. Gathering for a family "altar" or a devotional time is a good way to teach your children about God and His ways."
Whitney Kuniholm
"Scripture Union's ministry focuses in two vital areas: children and the Bible. We strive to share God's love with children and lead them to follow Jesus in obedience to Jesus' command to "let the little children come to me and not hinder them". We work to help people of all ages to meet God every day through Bible reading and prayer because God's word is truly "a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" for all who read and obey it."
Steve Demme
"God is alive. The Almighty, All-Loving God wants to see your kids around the throne more than you do. And God wants to teach your kids, and is capable of teaching your kids. Now He will use you, because He designed you to be doing it."
Family Worship Month is an inter-denominational movement comprised of leading ministries and Christian leaders designed to restore the historical practice of family worship.
An annual call each January to pastors, fathers, and mothers, Family Worship Month culminates in Family Worship Sunday which is January 29, 2012 when pastors from around the world will call their congregations and their own households to spend time together in prayer and reading God's Word.
For more information, or to arrange interviews with any of the authors above, contact Steve Morales, 434-286-2275, or email Steven dot Morales at familyworshipmonth dot com.
Please don't forget to sign the Family Worship Month Declaration to show your support!
Take a look at a full range of great Family Worship Resources from many of the authors listed above.
Tags: Bible, Christian, Courageous, family devotions, family worship, family worship month, Family Worship Resources, family worship sunday, Gather the Family
Great article. Great effort. Having written a nine volume historical fiction series in which a family Bible is passed down from generation to generation, the greatest compliment I receive from my readers are those who tell me that after reading the series they have started their own family Bible tradition. I wrote the series with the prayer that it would spark a restoration of historical family traditions, the same goal as this month long effort. My prayers are with you.
Thanks, Jack. We appreciate your encouragement and the effort you’ve made to encourage Christians on the importance of a multigenerational vision. Please spread the word about the Family Worship Month Declaration and the Family Worship Resources site and community.