preparation go into this most important time of the family’s day. The time set aside for worship need not be long, but should be free from hurry and distraction. In the coming and going of present-day families, it seems imperative that at least one regular mealtime for the whole family be maintained. Family worship can be conducted at the same time. Though many American families have to fight to maintain daily family worship, they will find the benefit from such a time worth any sacrifice. OBSERVANCE OF THE LORD’S DAY From the very first, God set aside one day in seven to be specially devoted to worship and rest. Scripture admonishes us not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together (Heb. 10:25), and to lay up our offerings on the first day of the week (I Cor. 16:25). The habit of ob serving Sunday as the Lord’s Day gives God opportunity to speak to us and to our children. The manner of observing the Lord’s Day will vary from Christian home to Christian home. It should, be a day of rest and gladness, but sometimes parents find no rest in its feverish activity and children no gladness iii its restrictions. It is the privilege of the church to use both morning and evening for worship, instruction, and Christian fellowship in expression and service, suited to every age level. It is the privilege of the Christian fam ily to go together to the Lord’s house regularly. A twentieth-century American home is often splin tered by worthy activities. Daddy has a “Y” board meet ing; Mother is collecting for the Community Chest; Sis ter is on a Girl Scout overnight; Junior is playing base ball with the Little League. Setting aside one day of the week — the Lord’s Day, without question for church attendance for the whole family, morning and evening, helps to achieve a togetherness otherwise impossible. Furthermore, when both parents and children attend church, all are in the place where they can leam more of the whole counsel of God and grow in grace. REGULAR, PROPORTIONATE GIVING “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matt. 6:21). There is Christian joy and growth in a family’s giving together, regularly, proportionately, and intelligently. It is good to teach children to tithe their allowances and their small earnings. And it is profitable, spiritually, for families to decide together where the larger family gifts should go, and to follow those gifts with prayers. What child will deface church property when he knows that each week he and his family give a portion of their “ Lord’s money” to pay for the building and for the custodian’s salary? Who can fail to be inter ested in a particular mission when he knows that some of his gift money is being put to work there? The Bible makes it clear to us that giving is a grace (II Cor. 8:7), which .benefits the giver even more than the receiver (Acts 20:35). The deepest truth of Christian stewardship is that “ All things come of Thee, and of thine own have we given Thee” (I Chron. 29:14). Children and adults begin to understand and experience this truth when they begin to give. WITNESSING Some Christians feel a certain natural reticence about speaking freely of the things of the Lord. This embarrass ment may be eased at the family worship hour as we discuss the Sunday School lesson, or the sermon, or the Scripture passage read for the day. Such open discussion gives children opportunity to ask some questions and answer others. It builds Biblical words and terms into
the speaking vocabulary of young and old. Since it is the Word of God that the Holy Spirit uses particularly to bring about spiritual birth and give blessing, it is good for all in a family to hear the truths of Scripture, and even better for all to know and speak them. Learning to speak easily of the things of God in the home enables Christians to speak to others, also, when the occasion arises. The most effective witness a Christian family can give is unassuming Christian living before observers — neighbors, guests, friends, and associates. Regular church attendance, the absence of liquor bottles from the trash can, the presence of the Bible in the home, the love shown to each other, the gentle and controlled spirit •— all this is part of the consistent witness of a Christian family. Those who do not know the Saviour are especially sensitive to a Christian family’s reaction in times of per sonal and family crises. CHRISTIAN SERVICE For every Christian, little or big, God has some place of service in His work in this world. But He certainly does not expect believers to neglect their families while serving outside the home. Many earnest Christians be come so deeply involved in good church activity that they actually neglect their children. A certain father sponsored the junior high department in his church and served on the board of deacons and on the building com mittee. One night before supper he changed to a sport shirt and sank into a chair in the living room to read his paper. “Daddy, aren’t you going to church tonight?” asked his five-year-old son. “ No, Son, not tonight.” “ Oh, thank God!” was the five-year-old’s reverent and fervent reply. Christian parents need to guard against taking on more responsibility than they can handle without sacrificing their families. Great blessing, however, accrues to chil dren in a home that is always cheerfully active in service in a church. Such a home gives a testimony stronger than words to the faith that spiritual things matter more than material, that time is held in stewardship to God, that Christians labor for unseen things that are eternal. Children find special pride and security in the church where their parents have responsibility. They “ belong” in the group long before they make spiritual decisions or actually join the church. Their parents’ example of faithful service, doing what they can do under God, will always be a strong challenge to them to do Christian work. There is really no substitute for the local church in helping parents bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:4). SIMPLICITY OF LIFE “ Simplicity of living is not dependent upon one’s be ing rich or poor, sick or well. It is possible for either the cares of this world or the deceitfulnes of riches to choke out spiritual yalues (Matt. 13:22). Simplicity is dependent on singleness of heart. It is the result of the habit of regarding life in perspective, putting first things first, valuing true values. It is present where each studies to be quiet and to do his own business, where the Lord Je sus Christ is first in life, where people are more important than things.” This article is taken from the excellent publication, “ The Child in the Christian Hom e," by Margaret Bailey Jacobsen, published by Scripture Press, Wheaton, Illinois.
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