In a world that’s constantly changing, the values we instill in our families remain a constant anchor. If you’re wondering, “How Do You Spell Family” in a way that truly matters, the answer goes beyond letters; it’s spelled out in the actions, beliefs, and love shared within your home. For nearly half a century, my father dedicated his life to worship ministry, offering me a unique perspective on what a lifestyle of worship looks like – not just in church, but within the very walls of our home. Let’s explore how we can build families rooted in worship, understanding that it’s far more profound than just music or song.
To begin, let’s define worship. Warren Wiersbe, in his insightful book “Real Worship,” provides a clear definition: “Worship is the believer’s response of all that he is–mind, emotions, will, and body–to all that God is and says and does.” It’s a holistic response, a daily offering of ourselves to God’s glory, as Romans 12:1 beautifully illustrates. While music certainly enhances our expression of worship, it’s crucial to recognize that worship extends far beyond melodies.
In contemporary Christian culture, the terms “music” and “worship” are often mistakenly used interchangeably. However, true worship is a much richer concept than simply singing songs. It’s the grand, “divine dialogue” that God desires from each of us. Therefore, as the family of God, we are called to diligently teach and pass on our faith to every generation. Psalm 127:3-5 reminds us, “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.” This powerful analogy of arrows speaks volumes. An arrow, like a child, needs shaping and guidance to fulfill its purpose. It must be refined, sharpened, and straightened to successfully reach its target. Similarly, discipling future worshippers requires intentional effort and biblical focus within the home.
My personal journey has shown me the transformative power of strong, scripture-based training at home in shaping a life of worship. My parents established a powerful rhythm for their seven children, encompassing daily devotions, scriptural education, musical practice, character development, and consistent service both within and beyond the church. While each of us ultimately made our own personal profession of faith in Jesus Christ, this nurturing environment undoubtedly propelled us towards lives of worship and service to the Gospel. When families prioritize cultivating genuine worship at home, they invest not only in their immediate family but also in the broader church and its mission, sending forth well-prepared individuals to impact the world for Jesus Christ.
Let’s delve into the acronym “WORSHIP” as a framework for understanding biblical worship within the family context. This will help us practically spell out “family worship” and make it a tangible part of our daily lives.
W: The WORD – Foundation of Family Faith
If worship begins with God revealing Himself to us, then the Word of God is our essential starting point. The Bible is where God unveils His character, His actions, and His plans for us. It’s the ultimate resource for nurturing hearts, minds, souls, and spirits in worship, as 2 Timothy 3:16-17 emphasizes.
A Bible left untouched on a shelf is like food stored in the pantry or medicine in the cabinet – its potential remains untapped. While the Word of God is timeless and never loses its power, we must actively engage with it to experience its transformative effects. Each time we open the Bible, we enter a space of worship, engaging in a profound dialogue with the Divine. A love for God naturally translates into cherishing, reading, and studying His Word within our families.
Alt text: A family gathers around a table, engaging in a Bible study, symbolizing the importance of the Word in family worship.
O: OBEY – Living Worship in Action
A lifestyle of worship is intrinsically linked to a lifestyle of obedience. Jesus Himself declared in John 14:15, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” This highlights that our love and adoration for Him are primarily expressed through our obedience to His teachings and commands. Obedience is not just about actions; it’s about a heart posture that seeks to honor God in every aspect of life. Scripture calls us to obey God (Exodus 19:5, Deuteronomy 11:1), the Word of God (Luke 11:28, James 1:25), Jesus’s teachings (John 14:15, 2 Corinthians 10:5), parents (Proverbs 6:20, Ephesians 6:1-3), and all other authority (Mark 12:17, Hebrews 13:17).
It’s crucial to distinguish between worship through obedience and salvation by works. We don’t obey to earn God’s love or grace; these are freely given through Christ. Rather, it’s out of gratitude for this redemption that we offer our love, thankfulness, and worship through obedience.
Let us cultivate a heart that is attentive to the Lord’s voice, responding with joyful and complete obedience when called to action. We should also seek opportunities to instill this same heart of obedience within our families, celebrating moments when worship through obedience is demonstrated.
R: REJOICE – Finding Joy in Every Circumstance
Choosing joy in all circumstances is a powerful act of worship. The command to rejoice appears nearly 200 times in Scripture, making it one of the most repeated directives in the Bible. Our responses to life’s situations, both positive and challenging, reveal much about our character and our worship.
Rejoicing goes beyond surface-level happiness. It encompasses being glad, content, joyful, and thankful in all circumstances. It’s about finding true happiness and deep fulfillment in knowing God and trusting His hand in every situation. Philippians 4:13, often misunderstood as a mantra for self-reliance, is actually an anthem for rejoicing in all circumstances through Christ’s strength. In Philippians 4, Paul emphasizes the importance of rejoicing in the Lord, explaining in verses 10-12 that he has “learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” He had experienced both abundance and hardship, yet he concludes in verse 13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Paul models a life of worshipful rejoicing, demonstrating genuine gladness and contentment rooted in Jesus Christ, regardless of external circumstances. We are called to follow his example.
S: SING – Expressing Devotion Through Song
While various art forms can express worship, singing holds a foundational place for all believers. Scripture commands us over 200 times to sing and praise our Creator and King. This isn’t coincidental; it’s a universal call to humanity to express devotion and honor through song, both individually and communally across generations.
Singing is a fundamental expression of worship and a form of two-way communication with our own hearts. It can be an “inpouring” of truth to encourage and strengthen our souls, or an “outpouring” of praise to proclaim God’s glory. In Psalm 103:1-2, David’s song is an inpouring of truth to his own soul, urging himself to praise the Lord and remember His blessings. Conversely, Psalm 104:33 showcases the outpouring nature of song: “I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.” Regardless of vocal ability, we are all called to sing to the Lord throughout our lives.
I recall a pastor who, despite being tone-deaf, declared to his congregation, “I may not be a great singer when I worship, but I want to be a great worshipper when I sing.” This statement encapsulates the essence of singing as an outpouring of a worshipful heart.
H: HELP – Worship Through Service and Mission
Worship serves as both the root and the fruit of service and missions. When we help and serve others, it should stem from a heart that desires to please God and reflects Christ’s love. James 2:17 states that “faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” Similarly, worship without action is incomplete. Helping in Jesus’ name transforms our worship into active and missional engagement. Christians can assist the vulnerable by sharing resources, reaching out to communities (both local and global), and serving their families and churches.
While verbal worship is important, it must be accompanied by missional action to fully embody Christ-like worship. We help others because Christ first helped us. Modeling Christ’s actions is a powerful form of worship, as we’ll explore further in the next point.
I: IMITATE – Christ as Our Model of Worship
Jesus Christ stands as the ultimate worshipper and the perfect model for our worship. The more we emulate Christ in our thoughts, words, and actions, the more authentically we worship. The term “Christian” originates from the Greek word christianos, meaning “little Christ.” This highlights the fundamental truth that followers of Christ are called to imitate Him. When we profess faith in Christ, we reject beliefs, actions, or attitudes that contradict His example. We align our steps with His, allowing His compassion and righteous anger to shape our hearts. By striving to think, speak, and act like Christ, we deepen our worship and live out our faith more fully.
P: PRAY – Communion with God in Family Life
If worship is fundamentally responding to God, then cultivating prayer and communion with Him becomes a primary expression of worship. Christians are invited to experience profound worship through prayer, both individually and as families. Prayer should be an ongoing conversation with God throughout our day, a continuous spirit of communication. While dedicated times of focused prayer are essential, as exemplified by Jesus withdrawing to pray (Luke 5:16), He maintained constant communion with the Father.
Prayer is also a powerful tool for parents to nurture a heart for Jesus in their children. Witnessing my children grow through prayer has been profound. It’s through this consistent practice that they explore their inner selves in ways they may not fully comprehend. In these moments, the Holy Spirit actively engages in their lives, guiding them in childlike communion (Romans 8:26). We must prioritize family prayer, allowing our children to learn and experience the power of connecting with God together.
Recap: Spelled Out – W-O-R-S-H-I-P for Family
Let’s revisit our acronym: WORSHIP stands for Word, Obey, Rejoice, Sing, Help, Imitate, and Pray. These seven facets of worship, while not exhaustive, provide a solid framework for understanding and practicing biblical worship within the family. Integrating these habits into our lives and homes is crucial because what emanates from the home has the greatest potential to transform the world for Christ. Joel Beeke wisely stated, “As goes the home, so goes the church, so goes the nation. Family worship is a most decisive factor in how the home goes.” Unleashing the full power of worship in the life of a believer, and within the family unit, initiates a sanctifying process that draws us ever closer to Jesus, ultimately culminating in perfect worship around God’s throne for eternity.
Get your copy of “How to Spell Worship with Your Family” here.
John Bolin | Author of “How to Spell Worship with Your Family.”
John Bolin serves as the Pastor of Worship Ministries at Kingsland Baptist Church in Katy, Texas. He is a versatile artist recognized for his talents as a singer, songwriter, arranger, and conductor. John is also a co-founder of Worship Convergence International, an organization dedicated to facilitating musical and missional tours globally. Additionally, he is a professor at California Baptist University, where he leads the University Choir and Orchestra.
John is a respected voice for worship leaders, ministries, choirs, orchestras, multigenerational worship, and family worship.
John and his wife Paige reside in Katy, Texas, with their five children.
Get your copy of “How to Spell Worship with Your Family” here.
