The family altar is a time when the family unites together in the practice of three main elements: reading the Bible, praying, and worship. This triad helps the family foster spiritual growth, reflecting on godly character maturation.
It's a practice that has been passed down through generations with its roots in the New Testament. Paul instructs us in Ephesians 6:4: "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”
We can also trace the practice of family worship to the Old Testament; for example, in the book of Job we see this: “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.” The “them" refer to Job's children as he offered a burnt offering in case any of them had sinned against the Lord.
Our family has worshiped at the family altar since the summer of 2015. It was then as I was having a moment of reflection with my wife and young children and we were reading the burning bush narrative in the Book of Exodus, that we came to the part when the Lord spoke to Moses saying, "Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground."
I could see my oldest son’s puzzled gaze. He was five-years-old at that time, and asked, "What is that whole thing about holy ground?" This question led to a conversation with the family. That time at the family alter provided us an opportunity to prompt understanding and an increased devotion to the Lord. We have found, even in our modern setting, worship at the family altar is of great value, promoting stronger relationships and solidifying biblical values.
Based on their theological tradition, some families have a table covered with a white cloth and candles to create an altar-like setting. My grandmother had such a tradition. Nevertheless, when I use the phrase family altar, I refer to family worship. It is a time to stop day-to-day duties to gather as a family and share God's Word.
This practice has faced some challenges since the early 1900s. According to statistics by the Barna group, “Fewer than one-twentieth of churched households ever worship God outside of a church service or have any type of regular Bible study or devotional time together during a typical week.”
I remember having the same perplexed face that my son had when my father read the biblical narratives to me. By promoting an understanding of God's Word, a deeply fulfilling and enlightening experience for every family member, biblical values solidify. One of the many benefits the family altar provides is character formation. Another, noted by a group from Australia, was that an increase in family worship could reduce the risk of behavior such as alcohol consumption and suicide.
Conclusion
The advantages of this practice are clear. Our first action is to set up a time, whether daily or a couple of times a week. It can be at the dinner table or before going to bed. Each family member can share how the Bible's stories impact their lives. Everyone can speak about how these characters were faithful, or faithless, to God and what we should learn from their successes and failures.
All it takes is turning off the TV, putting down devices, and investing in God's precious Word. The value is life-changing.
How do you and your family share God’s Word? What traditions do you have? Share in the comments to encourage others.
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