Family Worship & Devotion

“Tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD and His might and the wonders He has done so that they should set their hope in God.” — Psalm 78:4, 7

One key component to growing in godliness and love for Christ is a persistent perseverance in making use of the means of grace everyday. The Lord has blessed His Church immensely with access to the scriptures and today Bible-helps about in ways unparalleled throughout the Church’s history. At Sardinia, we hope that members, their children, and guests might benefit from seeking Christ in his word daily. We would like to offer you helps that might aid in your daily worship in the home, whether by yourself in personal devotion or with your spouse and family. It might be wise to use this guide as a foundation for your family/personal worship - adding to it elements and resources from potential helps (a sample of which can be found below).

Sardinia Presbyterian Church (SPC) Family Worship Guides & Helps:

**Please note - the phrase “family worship” is not reserved only for those households with children (though it most certainly and importantly includes households with children). Family worship is for newly weds, “empty-nesters”, and everyone in between. It can be a blessing for grandparents with their grandchildren, aunts/uncles with their nieces and nephews, and even with neighbors or friends of your children when they’re in your home. Family worship guides and various devotions can be beneficial for your private devotional life as well. For those single, widowed, or home-bound with various needs and disadvantages, we hope these guides and resources might aid you all.

Resources for Family Worship (What is it? Why should I do it?):

• Daily Family Worship by Dr. Craig Shepherd

  — An article with various suggestions and tips on getting started with Family Worship.

• The Do’s and Don’ts of Teaching the Gospel to Children by Starr Meade

  — An article including outlining helpful considerations for communicating Bible truths clearly to children.

• A Neglected Grace by Jason Helopoulos

  — A brief and easy-to-read book on the need for family worship - including suggestions and helps.

Aids for Family Worship (How do I do it?):

• Children’s & Shorter Catechism Resources for Kids and Families

  — A web-based collection of the Children’s and Shorter Catechism questions. There are also quizzes and games provided for additional reinforcement.

• Family Worship Bible Guide edited by Joel Beeke & Published by Reformation Heritage Books

  — The Family Worship Bible Guide is a collection of brief explanations and questions on every chapter of the Bible. This book would be immensely helpful to parents reading the Bible with their children. It would also be a very helpful addition to our weekly SPC Family Worship Guides.

• Exploring the Bible Together: A 52-Week Bible Reading Plan by David Murray

  — This book is especially helpful with providing a plan for the whole family to spend time in the word together. Older children and teenagers/parents might follow the plan in their own private devotion and then come together for family worship for further explanation, discussion, application, and prayer.

• From the Lips of Little Ones by Jeff Kingswood

  — This book uses the children’s version of the Westminster Shorter Catechism as the basis for each week’s devotion (taking children through one or two questions a week).

• The Family Worship Book: A Resource Book for Family Devotions by Terry L. Johnson

  — This is a one-stop-shop for everything Family Worship related considering not only the why of family worship, but the how. It includes an outline/order of family worship, Creeds/Confessions (including the Catechism for Young Children & the Shorter Catechism), suggestions for Bible memorization by subject, and the texts of Psalms/Hymns for singing. You may not make use of everything in this book, but it is very thorough.

Other Resources:

• Little Pilgrim’s Progress: Illustrated Edition written by Helen Taylor & illustrated by Joe Sutphin

  — An adaptation of a allegorical classic for young audiences including great illustrations. Pilgrim’s Progress has instructed and benefited generations of Christians over 300 years.

• The Child’s Story Bible by Catherine Vos

  — Best considered a paraphrase, Vos’ Child’s Story Bible has blessed many families, adapting the scriptures throughout various books into detailed language that children can easily understand. Note: this is not a replacement for the scriptures, but can really help children understand the stories and books of the Bible with detail - a step above the typical “children’s story Bible.”