Pathway Family Worship Guide

Pathway Family Worship Guide  

  1. Time and place:
Choose a day of the week (Sunday if possible) and a time that best fits for you family. Do not exceed one hour.  But within the hour, mix things up with singing, sharing, explaining, and praying for each other.  You will be amazed at how fast the time goes.
 
  1. Have a reading plan.
Chose a plan of reading your Bible. If you are following the Gospel Project the chapters and verses are laid out for you.  If not, choose a book of the Bible to go through together.  If you have small children, keep it simple with Psalms or New Testament examples such as stories.  Children can follow story lines.  So use appropriate readings like Ruth or Esther, or even the parables of Jesus.  With older kids, you can just go through a book of the Bible.
 
  1. Involve the family.
Every family member who can read should have a Bible to follow along. Set the tone by reading Scripture with expression, tone and emphasis like you were reading the words of a play.  Share the reading with members of your family and help them read with emphasis.  You will have to help them pronounce certain words, and even explain what they mean. Read and prepare yourself ahead of time. You might provide explanations of the material as you read certain passages.
  1. Be plain in meaning.

Ask your children if they understand what you are reading. Be plain in explaining scriptural texts. Question you might ask:

  • Why is this a sin?
  • When judgment is threatened, explain why.
  • If duty is demanded, does it apply to us today?  Why?
  • If a promise is offered, unwrap the promise so that they understand.
  • Why is God angry?  Why is God blessing?
  • Explain who the characters are and what they do.
All of this is necessary, if they are going to understand & see relevance.
 
5.  Encourage family dialogue around God’s Word

Have each person explain what they think the passage means. Talk about the thoughts expressed. Answer the questions asked. Especially encourage teenagers to ask questions; draw them out. If you don’t know the answers, tell them so.  You need to find the answers and encourage them to find some answers so you can talk about it the next time you meet.  Remember, if you don’t provide correct answers for your children, they will get them elsewhere—and often those will be wrong answers.  I would encourage you to buy a good commentary. Nelson’s Compact Series: Compact Bible Commentary Paperback – On Amazon you can get a Bible dictionary, Bible Commentary and a Bible Handbook (all 3 for $31.00)Be pure in doctrine. The best way to determine doctrine is to take the plain and simple understanding of the passage.  Realize that other passages in the Bible contain more understanding of the doctrine.  So do diligence.  Your pastor is also an easy source of sound and solid information on any Biblical topic or text.  So don’t be afraid to email him at mgoodyear@hispathway.org

 

    6. Be relevant in application.

One important question to ask and talk about is “How does this relateto my life?  In light of this passage, how does God want me to act and live? 

Be sure that everyone has an opportunity to share in this worship time.

 

7.   Understand that Love is most important.

When encountering a passage that you or your friends are guilty of, the goal is to repent of that action or words, and then turn back to God in order to be forgiven and determine not to do it again. If you have friends that continue to live sinning, our job is to love them, hate the sin, and try to explain to them why it is wrong in a loving way.  

 

     8. Require attention.

Proverbs 4:1 says, “Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.” Fathers and mothers have important truths to convey. You must demand a hearing for God’s truths in your home.

That may involve repeated statements at the beginning like these:

“Sit up, son, and look at me when I’m talking. This is not play time. We’re talking about God’s Word, and God deserves to be heard.”  Don’t allow children to leave their seats during family worship.

 

9.    Play and or Sing some worship music

You can listen to it on your phone or computer.  If you can, sing along.
 

 10.               Pray out loud or silently.

Encourage your family to learn how to pray out loud.  Learn this first yourself and then teach it to you kids.
 

 

11.               Have a time of family devotion each day.

This is different from the worship time.  Have a time at the end of of the day, before your kids go down to sleep, to read from a devotional passage.
 

Streams in the Desert is a good simple one to begin with.  Ask for people to share, and then close in prayer – silently or out loud.  The leader should close this time with a vocal prayer.


One Response to “Pathway Family Worship Guide”

  1. DENNIS NAHONEY/SHARONS GARDENS CHILDCARE/PRESCHOOL says:

    PLEASE RESPOND SO WE CAN DISCUSS THANK YOU GOD BLESS

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