Cultivating an Atmosphere of Worship at Home

This past Sunday at church, I observed my 5 sons during worship. My husband and I have chosen to keep all our kids out of their classes until worship ends so we can worship as a family. But I watched my 8 year old sit slumped in his chair and my 6 and 4 year olds poking each other.

They weren’t engaged in worship even when I prompted them with the words or gave them ideas of expressing their hearts to Jesus. Then it occurred to me that I can’t expect to just show up on Sunday mornings and they’ll just jump right in to worship.

I have to be cultivating worship in their hearts throughout the week at home. It has to become a lifestyle for us!

I believe we each are created to worship our God. I want to instill in my children giving praise to God in every season of life. I believe this is life-giving and will sustain them through thick and thin!

I can set the stage to turn our hearts daily in worship. I know God will meet them and even whoo them into His presence. I want them to fall in love with Him. Worship is a place to do that and is an expression of that love.

Holy Spirit is the romancer. But I get to help  “set them up!”

As I look  to the week ahead, I am determined to bring worship back as a top priority. So, after breakfast, before any chores are done, I’ll gather my children daily around the couch and we’ll set aside around 5 minutes to turn our hearts to Jesus with praise and thanks.

Tips for Cultivating an Atmosphere of Worship at Home

• Thanksgiving

Giving thanks whether in song or prayer is a wonderful way to prepare our hearts to worship. A few years back, when the kids were younger, we’d sing a song around the dinner table: “Count your blessings. Name them one by one. Count your many blessings see what God has done.” I think it might be an old hymn but I made up my own tune to these words. Then, we’d go around the table and each share a “blessing.”

Try giving thanks in your own creative way around the meal table or at bedtime. Plant little seeds of thankfulness in their hearts!

• In My Own Life

There’s no getting around it. Mom sets the tone for the home. All too easily, she steers the  ship with her attitude and mood. When I am overflowing with thanks and praise, it spills over onto my children and invades my home.

I must remember to cultivate worship in my own heart first if I want to see the fruit of it in theirs.

• Soaking in His Presence

This is a time of quietness before God. We’ll grab pillows and find a place on the floor or couch. I put on some instrumental music and we’ll turn our thoughts to Jesus. After 1-2 songs, I’ll ask the boys to share about their time.

Maybe Jesus showed them something. Maybe he gave them a feeling of His presence. Maybe He spoke a word to them. I’ll often write it down in a journal. I always come to this time believing that Jesus will encounter them and value what they have to share.

However, let me paint this picture accurately for you. Often, it seems to take us longer to get settled at this point than we are spending in His presence. Sometimes I’ll have to separate children. But these are minor set backs.

I am seeking to form a habit and a love of being with Jesus in them and an expectation that He will encounter them.

• Family Worship Night

Occasionally, we have set aside one night a week to worship together as a family. We’ll take out our musical instruments, dance around the living room, or just sing acapella. It’s a rather simple production but the kids love it.

You might try setting a night a month aside and host a few families at your home to join you in worship. We did this once and it was so meaningful! Give them a taste of intimate corporate worship.

• Play Worship Music

I’m once again reminded to fill my home and car with praise. Playing worship music in the background helps set a tone for His presence and for worship. It reminds me that being with Jesus is the central focus of what each day is about.

• TIP: Let Your Kids Experience the Rich Biblical Truths of the Hymns
  

Whatever your church background and style of worship, this book is a treasure. Passion Hymns for a Kid’s Heart includes a CD of 12 hymns, a book of true stories about each hymn writer, printed music and devotionals by Joni Eareckson Tada.

Although our church plays mainly contemporary worship music, I want my kids to experience this living part of our church history and let the hymns fill their hearts with His truth!

• Have Realistic Expectations

Without a doubt, we can expect the Faithful One, Jesus to show up and meet us and our kids with His presence during worship. But since we may be starting to form a new habit of daily worship in our homes, we need to be realistic about our children’s behavior. Set the standard and tone and then give it time to become a part of your family’s routine.

I’ve learned to lower my expectations of what occurs because this is a lifestyle I’m after, not just a one time event-an accumulation of moments that will be planted in their hearts. We’ll do lots of cuddling and hopefully laughing. But if someone gets sent to their room…there’s always tomorrow!

Remember: God is for us even when it seems so much is stacked up against us! He wants to help us teach our children and train them in His life-giving ways. Let’s take it one day at a time, growing in love and worship for Jesus as a family.

It’s a great journey!

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