Family Worship

Family Guidance

by Joel R. Beeke

Dr. Beeke offers a heartfelt and solemn plea for families to return to Biblical, consistent and passionate family worship. With pastoral insight and care the author provides practical and valuable answers to the practice of family worship and at the same time addresses objections raised against it. In a world of impossible standards and idealism, this book is a helpful and motivating guide to implement or increase the depth of your family devotions. Author Joel R. Beeke (Ph.D. Westminster Theological Seminary) is president and professor of systematic theology and homiletics at Puritan Reformed Theological Serminary, pastor of the Heritage Netherlands Reformed Congregation in Grand Rapids, Michigan, editor of The Banner of Sovereign Grace Truth, and author of numerous books.

Genres: Family, Parenting, Christian Living, Theology, Christian, Christianity, Audiobook

66 pages, Paperback

First published October 20, 2004

About the author

Dr. Joel R. Beeke serves as President and Professor of Systematic Theology, Church History, and Homiletics at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. He has been in the ministry since 1978 and has served as a pastor of his current church, Heritage Reformed Congregation, since 1986. He is also editor of the Banner of Sovereign Grace Truth, editorial director of Reformation Heritage Books, president of Inheritance Publishers, and vice-president of the Dutch Reformed Translation Society. He has written, co-authored, or edited fifty books and contributed over fifteen hundred articles to Reformed books, journals, periodicals, and encyclopedias. His Ph.D. (1988) from Westminster Theological Seminary is in Reformation and Post-Reformation Theology. He is frequently called upon to lecture at Reformed seminaries and to speak at conferences around the world. He and his wife, Mary, have three children: Calvin, Esther, and Lydia.

Reviews

[Zachary Cowie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Third times a charm: Read this again for a study.

Second time reading: I wanted a refresher, I find Beeke to be very helpful on this subject. You can also find great presentations by Beeke on YouTube that also act as great introductions to the practice of Family worship.

First time reading review:

This was an amazing Book. It Is short, concise, and convicting. I listened to the audio book in only about an hour. Very thankful for my friends for turning me on to this book.

The book makes a very convincing case for family families to practice daily family worship, gives helpful advice for implementing and practicing family worship, and gives lots of great resources finishes with a really convicting heartfelt plea to parents to faithfully practice it.

““Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭6:4-9‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

[Courtney Shevchenko · Rating 5 out of 5]

A excellent short read on the importance of family worship. I think it would be especially helpful if you aren't already doing family worship, and don't know where to start.

It also served as an encouragement to me for the "why" of making it a point to do family worship each day, even when it seems like nothing is immediately gained with a household of mostly littles. I know I will be coming back for a re-read again in the future.

[Josiah Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful and practical ways to implement family worship, not as a cute novelty, but as a way of life.

[Elizabeth Boesch]

An excellent book, especially for young families just getting started on making a habit of daily family worship.

[John Boyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very convicting booklet from Joel Beeke. Beeke outlines the importance of maintaining and practicing gospel focused family worship as a key part of raising godly children. The practical applications as well as theological ground were both important for me to read. It certainly inspired me to pursue more active work in leading my family in worship. An important book for parents, and particularly fathers, to read.

[Benjamin Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, practical, sound. My default wedding present.

[Austin Hessinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great book on leading family worship! Easy read, highly recommend!

[Logan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read this before but appreciate the short, warm encouragement toward family worship with some practical suggestions.

[Monique Mathiesen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, convicting, and practical. Everyone should read this.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 - 4 Stars * 7/31/22
Good little booklet with lots of great points, tips and suggestions for family worship, although since I'm a Reformed Baptist I differ from him on certain things.

Some of my favorite quotes:
• As Thomas Brooks said, "A family without prayer is like a house without a roof, open and exposed to all the storms of heaven." pg 12
• As J.C. Ryle said, "Fill their minds with Scripture. Let the Word dwell in them richly. Give them the Bible, the whole Bible, even while they are young." P 24
• Sing doctrinally pure songs. There is no excuse for singing doctrinal error no matter how attractive the tune might be. P 31
• Sing psalms first and foremost without neglecting sound hymns. Remember that the Psalms, called by Calvin "an anatomy of all parts of the soul," are the richest gold mine of deep, living, experiential piety available to us still today. P 31-32
• Sing simple psalms.... Choose songs that express the spiritual needs of your children for repentance, faith, and renewal of heart and life; songs that reveal God's love for His people, and the love of Christ for the lambs of His flock; or that remind them of their covenant privileges and duty. The words should be simple and plain, and the tune easy to sing. Pp 32
• Family worship helps promote family harmony in times of affliction, sickness, and death. It offers greater knowledge of the Scriptures and growth in personal piety both for yourself and your children. It nurtures wisdom in how to face life, openness to speak about meaningful questions, and a closer relationship between father and children. P 44
• If your children are grown and out of your home, it is still not too late to do the following:
🔹 Pray for them. Pray that God may make crooked sticks straight and bring good out of evil. . . . .
🔹 Beg the Lord to bless your feeble efforts and save your children and grandchildren. Plead with Him to take them in His arms for all eternity. May God graciously grant His Spirit to assist you, for the good of souls, and for His name's sake. P 47

From Appendix 1
• V. No idler, who has no particular calling, and no vagrant person who pretends to have a calling is permitted to perform worship in families, because people full of errors or intent on division may be ready to creep into houses and lead silly and unstable souls captive by this means.

[Abner Barbosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excelente livro! O trecho final, mostrando o testemunho que John Paton dá sobre a influência que os cultos domésticos e da liderança espiritual de seu pai fizeram em sua vida. Recomendo veementemente a leitura.

[Tim Zornes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple, practical, convicting, concise. Excellent to give direction for anyone who either doesn't know where to start when it comes to family worship or was unaware of the necessity and value of family worship.

[Landon Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short book is a stout challenge for parents to lead their children in family worship. In particular, men are called to lead their wives and children. Beeke’s suggested program with surely seem excessive to most, which is only a reflection of how little we value and promote family worship.

[Emma Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very practical explanation and helpful motivation for family worship. What a gift to worship in our homes together!

[JT Moorer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on the importance of family worship. Ending with the story of John Paton was a great way to finish this book. Such an encouraging story!

[Kathryn Iversen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book for young families to get started, or families wanting to start rhythm of family worship. Three basic principles is helpful takeaway- as a family read the word, sing, and pray together.

[Gradon Schaub · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very accessible introduction to family worship. The chapter on implementation is golden.

[Kyle Grindberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great little book

[Alejandro Ramirez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me weep as I finished it. The last portion of the book is part of the story of John Patton leaving home to become a missionary to cannibals. He shares how his Dad was a godly man who during Family Worship displayed the character of God and influenced him to become a missionary. Wow! This booklet is amazing!

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

This encouraging booklet is superior to Donald Whitney's "Family Worship" because it goes into greater detail about the methods of family worship while not sacrificing the motivations and imperatives to move us from merely considering family worship to actually doing it.

One of the strengths of the book is also its weakness. Beeke gives multiple models of family worship for the reader to consider and choose from. Unfortunately, the breadth of choices results in a lack of detail in some areas. He helpfully lists Psalms to use, but songs are left up to the reader. On the one hand, that is gracious and reflects the liberty of the believer and the family. On the other, most who are reading this don't know exactly what to do, and may find themselves overwhelmed with choices, the logistics of those choices, and the frustration of trying to manage the impacts of diving into family worship with a poor plan.

Still, when you have no idea, Beeke's guidance is a great foundation. The case for implementation is powerful. Many enemies are arrayed against it, from business, to laziness, to poor preparation, to poor planning, to lack of a known model. In spite of these, we must press on and, as he says, "Fight every enemy of family worship."

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must read for every Christian family. It is short—easily read in one sitting—and yet, it is extremely moving and convicting. The book is chock full of good, solid, practical advice on the logistics of family devotion and stirring admonitions to the practice. If quotes like this won’t move you to reconsider your laxity in family worship (if, like me, you have been less than consistent in this sacred duty) then I don’t know what else could: “We must so live and conduct family worship that our children will not be able to say, ‘I am being bound hand and foot, and being cast away into everlasting darkness because of your parental carelessness, your hypocrisy, your complacency about the things of God. Father, mother, why weren’t you faithful to me?’” The book contains many quotes and book suggestions from Puritan authors. There is even advice for those with grown or unbelieving children. Overall, I highly recommend this book!

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes this book is small, but offers all the essential basics parents would need to get started with a God glorifying family devotion/worship time. Dr. Beeke outlines various means & methods but he does so in a purposeful, meaningful way that helps parents see their efforts in this will pay great spiritual dividends in the future of their childrens lives. One of the best books on this subject & I've heard Dr. Beeke's testimony & his family is living proof of the biblical principles this book describes.

[Brian Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book Joel Beeke makes the case that family worship is a concept rooted in the Bible and which should therefore be practiced by Christians. I found the book stimulate my desire to worship God with my family. Beeke also provides practical suggestions for what to do in family worship. It’s a small book, but it is packed with helpful material.

[Gelu Timoficiuc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Concise. Edifying. Brings family worship down to earth.

[Joe Koehler · Rating 3 out of 5]

I agree with Beeke on the importance of family worship. It is so very important to genuinely live out a passion to follow and worship Christ before the eyes of our family, especially by giving it priority in our family schedules. That Patton excerpt at the end about his dad was incredible.

Beeke says p.17 that this book aimed to avoid two extremes: "an idealistic approach that is beyond the reach of even the most God-fearing home, and a minimalist approach that abandons daily family worship because the ideals so far out of reach." I think there's value in that statement, as both extremes are at least potentially concerning. One may lead to lethargic lifeless worship (if any), while the other may lead to legalistic overly-regimented worship. What's really important is that you seek the Lord with your family through prayer, praise and instruction in the Word. On this pendulum, I do feel this book swings closer to the overly-regimented ideal (though I won't say legalistic, as Beeke's heart and grasp of our need for grace is evident throughout)

There are lots of good ideas and advice in this book. Not the first book I'd hand to someone who wants to learn about family worship, though. It is a helpful book for developing or growing in family worship, perhaps. I'd probably hand out Don Whitney's book on family worship first.

[Eliézer Salazar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read several books on family worship and male headship by now, and I did not think I would find something refreshingly new in this book to help my endeavors as a family governor, but I was wrong. This simple, practical, and soul-stirring book provides the stepping stones so many of us fathers need as encouragement and guidelines to lead our families in daily worship. I have been encouraged, admonished, rebuked, equipped, and warmed by the ancient and once revered practice of family worship, and to engage daily in doing it for God's glory and leading my family heavenward. I heartily recommend it to every Christian parent, both husband and wife, to read it and keep it close at all times.
Appendices 1 and 2 alone are worth the whole book (the former admittedly and obviously not written by Beeke).
I give it four stars simply because of the fact that paedobaptism does form part of his plea and argument to parents in a couple of parts of the book. But it is a book worth reading over, and over again. Its brevity makes it a great gift idea to others.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not sure I’ve read a more powerful and convicting little booklet than this.

With extreme brevity, Joel Beeke lays out a case for the need of family worship (organized times of Bible reading, prayer, and singing with your family), describes clearly what it entails, and then proceeds to expound on every aspect of it with suggestions, wise warnings, and exhortations for whoever would lead the time. He concludes by handling objections to family worship and delivering some moving motivations for family worship.

As I came to this little booklet, I was searching for something Scripturally rich and something challenging to my soul. This booklet did just that for me.

This is a booklet I envision myself returning to with great frequency throughout my life as both a reference tool and as an encouragement. It was fantastic!

[Marlon Girardello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Você pode estar matando sua família!

Joel Beeke sugere um modelo de Adoração no Lar que sinceramente não vi em nenhuma família atual, talvez me faltem referências. O fato é que mesmo que não tenhamos exemplos disso aplicado, isso não tira a necessidade de fortalecermos nosso lar por meio do culto doméstico. O autor vai combater as principais desculpas para que o culto familiar não aconteça, assim como demonstra o porque é essencial que ele aconteça. O livro é curto, mas muito rico, você verá nos trechos abaixo.
É uma questão de disciplina primeiramente, é de priorização do tempo. Que o Senhor seja a prioridade do nosso lar e família.

Trechos desse livro você encontra em: https://trechoselivroscristaos.com.br...

[Cilas Menezes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is indeed a must-read. The only reason I hesitated at first to give it five stars is that it lacks a bit of guidance for some exceptional situations such as the wife of an unbelieving husband, which is provided by Whitney in his booklet on the subject of Family Worship.

I understand that this is an adaptation of a lecture or sermon on the topic, but this issue is too significant to be left out, if it had been in an appendix, it would be superb. Anyway, I love Beeke’s books. He is such a gift for the church. May the Lord raise more men like him using our domestic devotion.

If you haven’t read this booklet already, do it.

[Caleb Falbo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great concise resource that is easily understandable for any family seeking to worship God daily. He states that he wants to avoid two extremes in his challenge for families to worship God: 1. The minimalist approach, which is sort of just checking a box that it's done for the day and 2. A sort of idealist approach, which no human family could realistically accomplish this side of eternity.

He does well in avoiding those extremes, while laying a good theological groundwork for the necessity and importance of family worship. Not only that, he adds some very helpful practical advice for day to day and for variables.