Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - May/74

Contributor - John P. Drost

Title - The Family That Prays Together ...The Why And How of Family Devotions

Topic - Family

One of the things that have always had a strong emphasis in our Dutch heritage are family devotions: the daily exercise involving the reading of Scriptures, prayers and sometimes the singing of hymns. I am grateful for that tradition. I remember from my own upbringing the strength that issued from a daily devotional life as a family, and I realize, looking back, the effect it had on my later Christian life.

Let us look at some of the reasons for the exercise of family devotions in the home:

1. It is in obedience to the Scriptures. (Deut. 6:7: and these words which I command you . . you shall teach to your children.)

2. It is in obedience to VOWS made at the time of the baptism of our children. Do you promise to instruct this child in the truth of God's Word and in the way of salvation?

3. It is an essential part of the Christian training of the child. Proverbs 22 :6: "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." The emphasis on early nurture is also found in the promise "those that seek me early shall find me" (Proverbs 8:17).

4. It is so important in binding the family together. Read Psalm 133. Where Christ is invited, there is unity among brethren and an abundance of blessing.

5. It is so important in providing a link with the ministry of the Church. Families where Christian nurture is minimal will find it difficult to be "at home" in the Church. On the other hand there where Christian nurture has a central place the Church becomes a place of joy and meaning. (See 2 Chronicles 20 :13).

6. Finally it is important in providing a source of joy and strength. A consistent happiness results in families where God is worshipped and praised daily. (Nehemiah 12 :43).

The reasons for Christian Family nurture and worship are clear: it offers direction, provides knowledge, strengthens, leads to a life in and with Christ. Realizing the importance of this emphasis in the Christian family let us now briefly review the "hows" of Christian Family Nurture and Devotion.

1. Family Devotions require leadership. Family devotions do not just happen. Someone must take the initiative. I believe it is Scriptural that the father as the head of the family takes the initiative and leads his family in daily worship and nurture. We realize that working conditions nowadays make this difficult sometimes but this does not dismiss fathers from this function. Strong fathers make strong homes!

2. Family devotions require a time and an occasion. People thrive under regularity, they faint and grow weary under haphazard schedules. Family devotions and times set aside for nurture should have their fixed hours and occasions. Ideal occasions are mealtimes where the family is usually together and complete. Morning and evening (to begin and end the day) should be targeted as times for devotion. Usually the morning allows little time, the evening more time. Use the opportunity accordingly but use it. Let God's Word accompany the members of your family on their daily journey.

3. Family Devotions require a plan. How serious are you about your family devotions. Your plan will find you out! Some people hop and skip through the Bible to find a passage that may be suitable. Bad habits - it creates the image that it really doesn't matter what you read, as long as you read. What is a plan. Simple! A plan is the daily use of Prayer Time with the Scriptures (Prayer Time is a daily devotional published by Temple Time). A plan is to each take a copy of the Psalms (Psalms for Modern Man is excellent for family usage and inexpensive) and read through the psalms. A plan is the use of a Children's Story Bible from day to day. A plan is to use a simplified version of the Heidelberg Catechism and share that together. Consistency in the daily spiritual exercise provides a blessing.

FAMILY DEVOTIONS SHOULD BE ADAPTED

Whatever we do in family worship and nurture must be understood. Adaptation means that you take into account various levels of understanding. With children in the home there is much to say for the use of a good Children's Story Bible. Older children usually appreciate the use of a paraphrased version of the Scriptures. However, adaptation should not ban the regular authorized version of the Scriptures from your company. I feel strongly that the authorized versions of the Bible must always be our primary sources of reference in regard to God's revelation.

Let me say a word about family prayers in this connection. Few families I find pray meaningfully with their children and there is little effort to cultivate this part of the devotional life. I have 'heard children (now grown) complain that prayers said at the table 'were totally meaningless because: a. they were inaudible; b. they were always the same form prayer; c. they were said in the Dutch language which had little meaning. I have heard children pray the familiar Dutch form prayers before and after meal at an age when certainly they would not express themselves that way in other subjects. Here, too, take into account the needs.

POSSIBILITIES FOR FAMILY DEVOTIONS

We as a family have done many things in family devotion and nurture. When the children were small we used the Children's Story Bible in the evening and the Bible in the morning (usually with Prayer Time). For a time, as they grew a little older, we would select a book of the Bible and read that through together. At one point we tried a devotional book for children as you can buy them in most Bible Book Stores. These books use illustrations sometimes quite unconvincingly (reason why we did not continue with them) but they had one good feature: they would suggest a Scripture verse daily for memorization. We would put these Scripture verses on cards and commit them to memory. We found that our children liked to do this. Helpful for brief morning devotions to set the tone for the day are devotional books by Tyndale, In Touch and Living Light. In Touch is geared for young people. Both books have Scripture passages for every day arranged under a theme and taken from a paraphrased version, The Living Bible. In the evening we have been using for some time now the Heidelberg Catechism. We worked through a simplified version (The Compendium) at first and now we have copies of the formal text with explanatory questions prepared by Rev. H. Scholten. This provides for a wonderful way of sharing, but does require sufficient insight by the parents.

ENCOURAGE CHILDREN TO PARTICIPATE

A last encouragement would be this: teach your children to participate. Ask some questions, let them share in reading, let them share in a circle of prayer, try the practice of memorization and if you are a singing family, by all means conclude your devotions with a hymn. If you use Prayer Time have a copy for every member of the family. Make your devotional life as a family a treasured occasion, and the Lord will bless you.

Here is a brief Bibliography of books recommended for Family Devotions and Nurture:

Children's Bibles and Bible Story Books

Preschool children: Books by Mary Alice Jones and similar books in a large variety of titles. To be read to little children (3-5 yrs.), amply illustrated.

Children 4-8 yrs.: The Children's Bible by Anne De Vries.

Children 8-12 yrs.: Marian's Big Book of Bible Stories, by Marian Schoolland.

My Picture Story Bible by Dena Korfker. Brief chapters with questions at the end of each chapter were you listening'.

These books may be purchased in any Bible Book Store.

For older children and young people

In Touch and Living Light, Scripture themes for every day. in Touch is for youth, Living Light for youth and adults. Published Tyndale House Publishers.

Catechisms for use at home

A Compendium of the Christian Religion from the 'Board of Education (former) of the R.C.A.

Compendium of the Christian Religion Enlarged, by Beets and Bosma (the above may be ordered from Nelson Slot, Grand Rapids).

The Heidelberg Catechism with explanatory questions and answers, as a study guide in the home, school and church by Rev. H. Scholten (the above may be ordered from T. Van der Hout, 74 Rymal Rd. E., Hamilton)

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