Family Worship (Joel R. Beeke)

Family Worship

Joel R. Beeke presents a heartfelt plea for the renewal of family worship in Christian homes. The family is modeled after the very being of God, providing a divine foundation for family worship from creation. This is not a mere idealistic suggestion for the godly family, but is presented in Scripture as a solemn duty. With great pastoral care, the author gives valuable insights into implementing this practice, answers common objections raised against it, and motivates the reader to follow through with it faithfully.

Endorsement

“I strongly recommend a reading of this booklet, especially by parents who are here given a warm and convincing case for the value of family worship to their children and indeed for all the household.”
— Rev. Maurice Roberts, Banner of Truth

Table of Contents

1. Theological Foundations

2. The Duty of Family Worship

3. Implementing Family Worship

4. Objections Against Family Worship

5. Motivations for Family Worship

Appendix 1: The Directory for Family Worship

Appendix 2: John Paton Leaving Home

About the Author

Joel R. Beeke (PhD, Westminster Seminary) is president and professor of systematic theology and homiletics at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. He also serves as a pastor of the Heritage Reformed Congregation in Grand Rapids, Michigan; editor of Banner of Sovereign Grace Truth; editorial director of Reformation Heritage Books; and a prolific author, whose many books include Meet the Puritans and Puritan Reformed Spirituality.

An excerpt, of wise counsels from Dr. Beeke, taken from page 9:

“Surely every God-fearing husband, father, and pastor must say with Joshua: “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”  We will seek the Lord, worship Him, and pray to Him as a family.  We will read His Word, replete with instructions, and reinforce its teachings in our family.  Every representative father must realize, as Kelly says, “The representative principle inherent in God’s covenant dealings with our race indicates that the head of each family is to represent his family before God in divine worship and that the spiritual atmosphere and long term personal welfare of that family will be affected in large measure by the fidelity – or failure – of the family head in this area.”