Many modern churches have come to believe that we need to lessen our emphasis on doctrine and theology in order to make people feel more comfortable; we don’t want to come across as divisive. Yet, as we’ve briefly discussed, there are a growing number of churches moving in the opposite direction; emphasizing doctrine as a foundational building block for unity, growth and the glory of God. Many now understand that unity without Truth is only a warm campfire hand-holding that will be squelched by the first storms of culture.

The church is the pillar and foundation of truth (1 Timothy 3:15), and we are, to the best of our ability, to equip one another so that we will not be tossed about by every wind of doctrine (Ephesians 4:11-15). In short, we must understand, protect and communicate doctrine; the church is to protect the truth of Christ, passing it on undiluted, as powerful and potent as we first received it.

I’ve heard it said that: as the family goes, so goes the church, as the church goes the nation, as the nation goes, so goes the world. Granted, such a saying is a bit simplistic, but it communicates something vital; something that even many Christians seem to have lost sight of: the family is the foundation for both the church and society. If one of the functions of the church is to protect and pass on doctrine, may we also say that this is one of the functions of the family? Scripturally I’m not sure we can say anything otherwise.

These are certainly not small considerations for those married, considering marriage, with children or hoping for them. The family should be shelter from the storm, both for spouse and child. Men in particular must hear such a charge and once again strive for strong servant leadership in the home.

Early in Israel’s history God left no doubt as to the role the family was to play in teaching and protecting doctrine:

God instructs His people to use every situation as a teaching opportunity and specifically commands parents to teach His ways to their children. One of the duties of marriage and parenting is theological education. How far we’ve come from God’s ideal of the family. Sadly, many parents have relegated their duties to the church and its Sunday School program. Worse yet, many of these same churches have turned their backs on theology long ago. In essence, many parents are turning their children over to churches for little more than day-care with a flannel board Jesus.

The church is meant to aid the family, not replace it. There is a fundamental relationship between the health of the family and the health of the church. Though the primary responsibility for theological education rests with the family, the church is to come along side as a supplement. We are responsible for first cultivating an accurate view of God ourselves, and then passing that on to the next generation:

Parents must first be so saturated with God’s truth that it becomes second nature to use all of life as God’s classroom. Comments from media may be deconstructed as we seek to construct a biblical worldview from a young age. Sibling fights may end with a prayer of forgiveness. Trouble with sharing brings an opportunity to remind that all is God’s in the first place. Our every deed and word may be used to point our children to Christ and instruct them in the way they should go.

Yet there is also the key element of family worship; something many in our day and age know little of. Fathers in particular are responsible for the spiritual climate of their homes, and the theological knowledge of their families. Just as the church combines worship and instruction, so too must the family. Families ought to regularly meet together for intentional times of worship.

I challenge husbands and fathers alike (you are a family even before children) to regularly lead your families, however large or small, in worship. This is indeed a foreign and intimidating concept for many. Most of us were not reared in this sort of environment and many feel poorly equipped and don’t know where to begin. Yet family worship need not be extravagant, merely worshipful and instructive. Again we see the relationship between church and family; if you don’t know where to begin, simply ask a man in your church. We all must begin somewhere. The trick is actually beginning.

The bare necessities of family worship would be Scripture Reading, Scripture memory, discussion and prayer. Helpful additions might be singing and/or catechizing. The keys are understanding and application. You must communicate such that each family member will understand and benefit. As children become older, they may help by asking younger ones questions or assisting with Bible memory. In essence, you’re wanting to communicate that all of life is to be lived as worship before God, but you’re also wanting your loved ones to have a sure foundation of faith before the world tries to knock it from underneath them.

The Gospel is something for all of life and if children do not learn this at an early age, it is questionable whether or not they ever will. This is a hard task indeed when we realize that we first don’t understand the full significance of the Gospel’s transforming power in every sphere of life. But, we cannot shrink from duty because we are not qualified. If such were the case, none would come to Christ in the first place. Instead; we rely on Him to work in us what we know that we cannot.

We often encounter discussions regarding the “Spiritual Disciplines;” the tools that we must use to grow in sanctification. Yet sadly, family worship is rarely included. Scripturally, I am convinced that without first fighting for the family we have little hope of winning the culture.

Read Young Americans Know Little About the Bible from Baptist Press.
Read The Beginners Bible adapted by Karyn Henley.
Read the Child’s Story Bible adapted by Catherine Vos.
Read Thoughts on Family Worship by J.W. Alexander.
Read Tell Me About God by Susan Harding.
Read My First Book of Questions and Answers by Carine Mackenzie.
Listen to the CD Awesome God by Sovereign Grace Kids.
Listen to the sermon Family Worship by Dr. Joel Beeke.
Watch The Jim Elliot Story cartoon.