Family Worship Guide

SUNDAY, September 28th
It is our encouragement to have a nice, calm meal together on Sunday evenings, gathering around the dinner table. This helps establish the right tone for the week. Keeping the family around the table is important as all wait until everyone is finished eating. After everyone is finished, take the lead and ask everyone to listen to the reading of God’s Word.

Suggested Reading:

Begin by reading John 15:1-11.  As Jesus and His disciples (11 of them at this point) leave the supper Jesus begins to teach them about abiding.  The two most pressing things to know in this passage is:  1) Apart from Christ we can do nothing; and 2) Consistently abiding in Christ is essential to our assurance and effectiveness as Christians.

The emphasis on fruit-bearing is very important.  Think about your garden, if you have one.  If a vine or plant has not bore fruit in a season or two, it’s removed because it’s usefulness is done.  Or if you have flowers, the same thing applies.  The point of this “removal” is not the threat of losing salvation.  Removal is used as a counter-point to the primary point, which is true believers bear fruit and abiding in Christ is the key to that.  John has already made clear in chapter 10 that Christ’s sheep are kept forever.  But first of all, there are many who profess Christianity and the lack of fruit in their lives proves they are not believers.  Secondly, some believers do become ineffective and are removed from usefulness in ministry in order to be restored to fellowship with Christ.  I believe this is the key warning in this passage.

Encourage the family not to fear.  Focus on the positive charge here.  Christians bear fruit.  If we are Christians and not currently bearing fruit it’s because we’re not abiding.  Plain and simple.  Pray that God would forgive and restore fellowship to you and your family.

Catechism Questions:
See Below.

Family Prayer:
1) Give brief instruction on prayer being communication with God where we gain God’s heart for all things. Make a practice to include “Lord willing” kind of language, which submits our greatest passion for His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven (James 4:15).

2) Go around the table and take prayer requests.

3) Allow for any to pray that wish to. There can be benefit in your unbelieving children praying at a young age, just be sure to encourage right praying and not “sweet” praying.

4) Dad (if present) close with prayer; otherwise whoever represents spiritual leadership in the home.

Suggested Song:

“I Surrender All”

  1. All to Jesus I surrender;
    All to Him I freely give;
    I will ever love and trust Him,
    In His presence daily live.

    • Refrain:
      I surrender all,
      I surrender all;
      All to Thee, my blessed Savior,
      I surrender all.
  2. All to Jesus I surrender;
    Humbly at His feet I bow,
    Worldly pleasures all forsaken;
    Take me, Jesus, take me now.
  3. All to Jesus I surrender;
    Make me, Savior, wholly Thine;
    Let me feel the Holy Spirit,
    Truly know that Thou art mine.
  4. All to Jesus I surrender;
    Lord, I give myself to Thee;
    Fill me with Thy love and power;
    Let Thy blessing fall on me.
  5. All to Jesus I surrender;
    Now I feel the sacred flame.
    Oh, the joy of full salvation!
    Glory, glory, to His Name!

Read the Verse of the Week (to be memorized):
Click HERE.

A “BAPTIST” CATECHISM?

Absolutely! Back in the mid-1800’s, Charles Spurgeon (the great Baptist preacher) compiled a catechism for use in the home to develop the doctrinal understanding of all members of the household, particularly children. This is a great resource to systematically help your entire family know and embrace the great, historical doctrines of the church. You may download / print the file below for your own personal use.

A Baptist Catechism