Family worship is the practice of the head of the household – the father – leading his family in a daily time of worship. This is an essential way that Fathers obey the biblical mandate to raise their children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Gen. 18:19; Deut. 6:6-7; Joshua 24:15; Job 1:5; Psalm 78:5-7; Luke 18:16; Eph. 6:4; 2 Tim. 3:14-15). 

Family worship is simple: it consists of reading a portion of Scripture, praying, and singing a worship song. It need not take more than 10–30 minutes a day. While fathers bear the responsibility of leading and overseeing family worship, wives and children may participate by reading, praying, or sharing a short reflection. Family worship will look different for each family, but it is typically done after dinner or in the morning before work or school. 

If you would like to learn more about family worship, read these three excellent short articles:

The Biblical Necessity of Family Worship

Historical Examples of Family Worship

Practical Wisdom for Family Worship

Instructions for Family Worship

Read

Read a passage of Scripture, explain it briefly, and apply it as time allows and the Spirit leads. It is helpful to follow a Bible reading plan for your daily reading. As a church, we highly recommend the Robert Murray M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan, which can be found aquí. 

Questions for family discussion: 

Understanding the Bible

  • What do we learn about God? 
  • What do we learn about people? 
  • What do we learn about relating to God? 
  • What do we learn about relating to others?

Applying the Bible

  • What does God want me to understand?
  • What does God want me to believe?
  • What does God want me to desire?
  • What does God want me to do?

Other Questions

  • What stood out to you?
  • What encouraged you?
  • What convicted you?
  • What confused you? 

Pray

Pray in response to the text. You can also take prayer requests and pray according to the ACTS method (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication). 

Example – praying from Isaiah 41:10: 

Isaiah 41:10: “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Praying the text: “God thank you for being with us everyday. Thank you for being our God and that we can be your children. Help us to always trust that you are with us and to not fear no matter where we go. Help us this week at school, at work, and wherever we are to trust that you are with us. In Jesus name we pray, amen.” 

ACTS example: 

Adoration: “We praise you Lord for your goodness and faithfulness to us. You are always with us and always provide for us according to your mercy and lovingkindness. Blessed be your name.”

Confession: “Forgive us for our sins as we have forgiven our debtors. Forgive the kids if they have mistreated their siblings or friends, forgive me for losing my temper today, forgive my wife if she fell short today.” 

Thanksgiving: “Thank you Lord for helping the kids with their tests, for guiding in my work, and giving my wife strength in caring for the children.” 

Supplication: “Help the children Lord with their tests and soccer game, help them to do their best and trust you with the results. Help me with my project at work, and strengthen my wife as she disciples her friend this weekend.” 

Sing

Sing a hymn or spiritual song together. Here are some helpful resources with lyrics and singing guides: 

Family Singing App – An app that provides lyrics and music for families to download and sing together at home. 

Sing Hymnal – If you own just one hymnal, we recommend this one. It features a rich collection of the finest traditional and contemporary Christian hymns, and its website includes helpful search tools to easily find songs.

Congregational Singing  – A Youtube channel with recordings of congregational worship, perfect for families to sing along with or simply listen to together.

Hyms Library – A hymn library with over one million Christian hymns.  

Other

In addition to reading, praying, and singing, you may include:

Scripture memorization – Work on verses together during the week and review them on Sundays.

Catechism memorization – Use simple Q&A for teaching the faith and review them on Sundays.

Reading together – Read solid theology or children’s books together.

Our church follows a Bible memory list, which can be found in English aquí and Spanish aquí. Catechisms and other resources for family worship are provided below. 

Resources for Family Worship 

Scripture Memory Resources

Catechisms

Books for Young Children

  • The Big Picture Story Bible (David Helm) –  If you have young children, this is a must have resource. Simple but gospel-rich storytelling. Great pictures.
  • The Jesus Storybook Bible (Sally Lloyd-Jones) – Another must have for those with young children. Beautiful pictures and writing. Like Big Picture, the author connects each Bible story to the Bible’s central character and central message, Christ and His saving work.
  • Gospel Story Bible (Marty Machowski) – Similar to the previous: Old and New Testament stories pointing to Jesus. 
  • God’s Mighty Acts in Creation (Starr Meade) – 90 Bible stories that focus on a particular trait or truth about God to help 4- to 10-year-olds better understand their heavenly Father. It’s a good Bible to let your reading-age son/daughter take to bed and begin his/her personal times of reading Scripture.
  • Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing (Sally Lloyd-Jones) – Shows children how the gospel applies to everyday life.
  • The Ology: Ancient Truths, Ever New (Marty Machowski) – An excellent book to help kids of all ages understand who God is and how we, as his children, relate to him. While this book is very helpful for kids, parents will gain a lot from it as well.
  • The Biggest Story: How the Snake Crusher Brings Us Back to the Garden (Kevin DeYoung) – An exciting journey through the Bible, connecting the dots from the garden of Eden to Christ’s death on the cross to the new heaven and new earth. This book has great illustrations and is best for elementary age children.
  • Long Story Short: Ten-Minute Devotions to Draw Your Family to God (Marty Machowski) – A one-stop-shop resource. Gives brief Bible reading, brief devotional thought, asks good questions for family discussion. Offers helps for family prayer. 
  • The Real Story Series (Paul Maier) – The Real Story of the Creation; The Real Story of the Flood; The Real Story of the Exodus; The Very First Christmas; The Real Story of Easter; These are great books to use during family worship, particularly as you approach a holiday (Christmas/Easter).
  • Grandpa’s Box: Retelling the Biblical Story of Redemption (Starr Meade) – Meade uses a story of children visiting their grandpa as the backdrop for teaching the one big story of the Bible. Readings can take (if memory serves) 10+ minutes, so it’s probably better for older kids (maybe 8 and up).
  • Big Truths for Young Hearts (Bruce Ware) – Devotional chapters written to unpack
  • major doctrines (God as Creator, etc.). Can be doctrinally heavy (in a good way). For older kids. Readings take about 15 minutes.
  • Little Pilgrim’s Progress (Helen Taylor) – An easy to read (and with pictures!) version of Bunyan’s classic, Pilgrim’s Progress.
  • Keeping Holiday (Starr Meade) – A Christian allegory akin to Pilgrim’s Progress. Excellent portrayals of how temptation works and many other biblical motifs. Older kids (maybe from 8+) will get the most out of it.
  • The Priest with Dirty Clothes (R.C. Sproul) – Great story and beautiful pictures. Helpful teaching and conversation starter toward understanding the vital doctrine of imputation/justification.
  • The Lightlings (R.C. Sproul) – Great story and beautiful pictures. A retelling of the big story – creation, sin, salvation.
  • The Prince’s Poison Cup (R.C. Sproul) – Great story and beautiful pictures. Helps teach the truth that Christ took our curse for our salvation.
  • The Barber Who Wanted to Pray (R.C. Sproul) – This is a storied and kid-friendly version of what Luther wrote to his friend, the barber, when he asked him how to pray.
  • The King Without a Shadow (R.C. Sproul) – Sproul explains the concept of God’s holiness in story form. It is abstract at times and may be more difficult for young children to grasp.

Books for Teenagers and Young Adults

  • Thoughts for Young Men (J.C. Ryle) – Biblical guidance for teenage and young adult males.
  • When People Are Big and God Is Small (Edward Welch) – Encouragement to trust God in challenging circumstances.
  • Don’t Waste Your Life (John Piper) – Inspires a Christ-centered, purpose-driven life.
  • How to Read a Book (Andy Naselli) – Guides young adults in reading and understanding Christian literature.
  • What Is the Gospel? (Greg Gilbert) – Clear explanation of the gospel for personal and family study.
  • Just Do Something (Kevin DeYoung) – Practical guidance for decision-making aligned with God’s will.
  • Not Yet Married (Marshall Segal) – Biblical counsel for singleness and preparation for marriage.
  • Do Not Be True to Yourself (Kevin DeYoung) – DeYoung challenges the modern notion of authenticity, urging readers to find their identity in Christ.
  • Surviving Religion 101 (Michael Kruger) – Kruger addresses challenges to faith encountered in college, providing answers to common questions.
  • More Than a Carpenter (Josh McDowell) – McDowell presents historical evidence for Jesus’ divinity and resurrection, addressing common objections to Christianity.
  • Pure in Heart (Garrett Kell) – Kell offers a biblical approach to overcoming sexual sin, emphasizing the power of the gospel and community support.
  • Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart (J.D. Greear) – Greear discusses assurance of salvation, urging believers to rest in the finished work of Christ rather than repeated prayers.
  • Get Married (Brad Wilcox) – Wilcox presents research on the benefits of marriage, encouraging young adults to consider marriage as a foundation for a flourishing life.
  • Start Your Family (Steve and Candice Watters) – This book encourages couples to be intentional about starting a family, offering biblical inspiration and practical advice.

Books for Parents