In this series,  I have argued that true societal change must start in the home through family worship and that we find a biblical mandate for this practice in Deuteronomy 6. In this article, I want to show that family worship is not just a command but is also exemplified throughout Scripture. In 1 Corinthians 10:6, Paul tells us, “Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did.” In Romans 15:4, Paul says, “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” This is not the only way to benefit from reading the Old Testament, but it is certainly one of the most important. So, where do we see such examples in the Bible?¹ From beginning to end.

1. Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:3-5)

In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell.

We know the tragedy that follows this account, but we must not overlook an important aspect of the story: “in the course of time Cain and Abel brought offerings to the Lord.” Why did they do that? Did it magically happen one day, or did they see this example lived out? And if there is an example, it cannot be from anyone but their parents!

2. Abraham (Genesis 18:17-19)

In Genesis 18, we have the account of three men (one of whom is the Lord, the other two being angels) who come to visit Abraham. In v.10, the Lord says, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.” Abraham responds, questioning his old age, and Sarah laughs for the same reason, yet they believe this promise. The men head toward Sodom, and Abraham follows them. Then the Lord says,

 “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring to Abraham what he has promised him.”

Remember, there are no churches at this time. Abraham and Sarah are the only believers in the true God. How was he supposed to command his children and household other than by doing it at home?

3. Moses 

We have already read the family worship mandate in Deuteronomy 6:4-9, but it is easy to forget that in the busy life of Moses, he was also married (to Zipporah) and had two sons (Gershom and Eliezer). Unless we are to believe that he was a hypocrite, it is best to assume Moses lived out this command to teach his children the ways of the Lord! 

4. Joshua (Joshua 24:15)

You are familiar with Israel’s Exodus from Egypt. God brings the people out of slavery and through the wilderness under the leadership of Moses. Then God appointed Joshua as the leader who would bring them into the Promised Land. Toward the end of his life, after they had taken the majority of the land, Joshua says this to the people:

“Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

You have to remember something: at this point, there is only the Tabernacle. Yes, the people come and worship there, but it was not as frequent as you might imagine, for it was a long trip for many. There are no synagogues—that only comes after the exile! So what could Joshua mean that ‘he and his house will serve the Lord’ unless it is expressed in a form of family worship? Might this not be an example for us to follow?

5. Job (Job 1:5)

Before Satan takes everything away from him, we are given a description of Job’s vast wealth and godliness. One such evidence of his godliness is expressed in v.5. It says that Job’s sons and daughters would feast together: 

And when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and consecrate them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually.

What does it mean that Job would ‘send’ them other than that he sent for them? These burnt offerings were done with the family present, and Job led them in these sacrifices.

6. Peter (1 Peter 3:7)

All of the above examples have to do with children and family worship, but family worship is for married couples as well: 

“Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.”

When Peter says, “so that your prayers may not be hindered,” it is plural, meaning that Peter assumes a husband and wife are praying together and that not living in an understanding way nor showing honor will hinder that time of prayer. There is no command in Scripture for husbands and wives to pray together—it is assumed! Praying together as a couple is central to family worship.

Those are all positive examples, and more time would be required to tell of others such as Asaph (Psalm 78:5-8), Timothy (2 Timothy 1:5; 3:15), and Paul (Ephesians 5:25-28), but how about a sobering one? 

7. Eli (1 Samuel 3:13)

Eli, the priest, had two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, and the text says they did not know the Lord (1 Samuel 2:12). You can read of the evil they did as priests in God’s house in the verses that follow. When Samuel hears the Lord speaking in the night, he is told,

And I declare to him [Eli] that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them.

It is not as if Eli never spoke to them (see 2:22-25), but it appears he never did more than that. The penalty that followed was great, and it brought about the proverb, “He who sires a fool gets himself sorrow, and the father of a fool has no joy” (Proverbs 17:25). Now, it is instructive to note that Eli likely conducted family worship with them, and it would be very likely they knew lots about the Lord. Yes, salvation belongs to the Lord, and yes, every person will die for their own sin (Ezekiel 18:1-4), but Eli is clearly responsible for not faithfully leading his sons and is blameworthy. How important that we do everything in our power to not only teach and model the truth but also apply it to our children’s lives! 

So, not only do we have clear commands to do family worship (Deut. 6:1-9; Eph. 6:4), but we have seen numerous examples worthy of imitation and one example to avoid. Another question remains: How has the church practiced family worship through the ages? That is what we will turn to next time.