The Christian Home By Rev. Paul Bayles P a sto r, Centinela B ib le Church H aw thorn e, California
Thrill to "It Took a Miracle" SUNG BY HELEN McALERNEY BARTH Helen McAlerney Barth favorites on; LP-157 — IT TOOK A MIRACLE LP-173 — SONGS OF THE REDEEMED (1 7 songs) 12" 33V3 L.P. Records — Only $3.98 each (excise tax included) (A dd 25 c per package for postage and packing) ORDER FROM YOUR BOOKSELLER SiHQAfUnOtiOK. *}ttC . Grand Rapids! MUK H C J B Get this and a full program of 14 other
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C ’ e v e r a l years ago, I presented a sermon on the family altar to my congregation. I suggested that interested families invite me to their homes to discuss their particular problems with them and to seek a solu tion together. I had the pleasure of going into the homes of over 40 Church families, to help establish and demonstrate a program of worship. The following are a few suggested principles for family worship. They are ideas that my congregation and I worked out together. 1. R ealize that you have nothing to prove. The family altar is not a test of spirituality. Having it in your home, or not having it, does not neces sarily prove that you are spiritual or carnal. It is just an experience that will do much for your home. 2. D iscover the most relaxed tim e fo r you r fam ily. There is no “ right” or “ wrong” time, except as it will fit into your own daily schedule. Shift work problems will have to be considered. Always be realistic. Don’t say “ the morning is the only right time.” If you can’t have it in the morning, the chances are you will give up the whole idea rather than settling for a time that to you seems only “ second best.” 3. Associate happy tim es w ith you r worship. If you feel that this is a “ sacred chore” and as such it has to be “ perfect” , you will all be on the defensive and tensions wall cause discipline to become unreasonable. Just relax! The setting doesn’t have to be “ perfect.” This isn’t another church service! It’s a family experience. Don’t demand perfect attention from your little ones. God is telling them to wiggle. That’s part of growing up. Incorporate action-singing in your altar time. 4. Endeavor to gear you r worship to the lev el o f the youngest who is old enough to participate. V ary you r approach. Don’t always cater to the children. Use modern speedy translations, pictures, maps, snapshots of missionaries, etc. 5. Encourage w hole fam ily participation. The parents of young families wall always lead hut should allow each child to contribute. Let them answer simple questions regarding the Bible story read or the missionary prayed for. Let them ask their own questions, take a turn in reading and praying, or in sharing an experience of the day. Foster parent-child relationships. Try to relate life to God. Never be shocked at any thing they say. 6. K eep the tim e brief. This is not the time for long prayers. When children are involved, it is probably better to relate the truth of one paragraph of God’s Word to every-day living, than to breathlessly read through the Bible in a year. 7. Lead up to this w ith a happy m ealtim e exp erien ce. Meal times can be hectic and confused. Parents often feel, “What’s the use? It’s a force to have devotions after meal time squables.” Often, the knowledge that there will be 10 minutes of participation in a planned worship experience will produce a quieting effect upon all. 8. A ccep t interruptions. Few families can escape telephone calls, late hours at the office and people at the door, every day. There will be some days when a family altar is impossible. Don’t have an “ all or none” complex. Don’t feel guilty for missing some days. Remember, you have nothing to prove! Don’t “ give up” , just because you can’t experience family worship everyday. NEXT MONTH: SUGGESTED PATTERNS FOR FAMILY WORSHIP.
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ZLP-544 — Quito Calling ZLP-526 — Heralding Christ Jesus1 Blessings ZLP-5T0 — Call of the Andes
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Have you heard BERT JONES at the pipe organ playing "THE BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC" Get this and eleven more favorites on:
Jones
ZLP-548 —
THE CONCERT ORGAN SPEAKS
ZLP-533 —
ORGAN STYLINGS WITH UNUSUAL EFFECTS (13 numbers) 12" 33 V3 RPM L-P Record — Only $3.98 (excise tax Included) (Add 25c per package for postage and packing) At All Bookstores ZONDERVAN PUBLISHING HOUSE Grand Rapids 6, Michigan
NOVEMBER, 1959
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