Chapter 32—Family Worship
BIBLE GEM
CWG 78.1
CWG 78.2
QUESTION
CWG 78.3
ANSWER
Relation between sacrifices and family worship: “The hours appointed for the morning and the evening sacrifice were regarded as sacred, and they came to be observed as the set time for worship throughout the Jewish nation. ... In this custom Christians have an example for morning and evening prayer.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, 353, 354CWG 78.4
“Morning and evening the heavenly universe behold every household that prays, and the angel with the incense, representing the blood of the atonement, finds access to God.”—Ellen G. White Comments, The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 7:971CWG 78.5
Protection promised: “In every Christian home God should be honored by the morning and evening sacrifices of prayer and praise.... It is the duty of Christian parents, morning and evening, by earnest prayer and persevering faith, to make a hedge about their children.”—Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 110CWG 78.6
“Will the Lord of heaven pass by such homes, and leave no blessing there? Nay, verily. Ministering angels will guard the children who are thus dedicated to God.”—Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 110CWG 78.7
Tragedy of a prayerless home: “I know of nothing that causes me so great sadness as a prayerless home. I do not feel safe in such a house for a single night; and were it not for the hope of helping the parents to realize their necessity and their sad neglect, I would not remain. The children show the result of neglect, for the fear of God is not before them.”—Child Guidance, 518CWG 78.8
Family worship should be a daily matter: “Family worship should not be governed by circumstances. You are not to pray occasionally, and when you have a large day's work, neglect it. In thus doing you lead your children to look upon prayer as of no special consequence....CWG 79.1
“It should be a pleasure to worship the Lord.”—My Life Today, 29CWG 79.2
How to conduct family worship where there are children: “Let the father select a portion of Scripture that is interesting and easily understood.... Questions may be asked, a few earnest, interesting remarks made, or incidents, short and to the point, may be brought in by way of illustration. At least a few verses of spirited song may be sung, and the prayer offered should be short and pointed.... Let all join in the Bible reading and learn and often repeat God's law. It will add to the interest of the children if they are sometimes permitted to select the reading. Question them upon it, and let them ask questions.”—Child Guidance, 521, 522CWG 79.3
SUMMARY AND PRAYER THOUGHT
CWG 79.4
CWG 79.5
CWG 79.6
CWG 80.1