Stolen from our freedom of relationship in public places, we transform into our homes, our Christian homes. In times when everything we talk about (what is full of the heart: fear and anxiety) and when we turn we have a virus emblem, the coronavirus, I want to make a call to look at the author and the consumer of our faith, because after all it is for him and for him: Christ.
The pandemic did not surprise our sovereign Lord, he knew these times, Jesus instructed us about these times in his prophetic sermon that can be read in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 Jesus concludes the excerpts from each of these chapters with a warning. on surveillance Let’s move on to Matthew’s text:
- For as it was in the days of Noah.
- So shall the coming of the Son of Man be; because as in the days before the flood they ate and drank.
- They married and married.
- Until the day Noah entered the ark.
- And they did.
- He won’t notice.
- Except when the flood came and took them all.
- So be it.
- The coming of the Son of Man.
- So be careful.
- For you do not know what day your Lord will come; but consider this: if the father of the family knew what time the thief would come.
- He would look and not let his house be robbed.
- Also conscious; for the moment when you do not worry.
- The Son of Man will come (Matthew 24:37-39.
- 42-44).
Sheep, we live this moment of observation diligently. We will know 2 pamphlets that can be helpful in family prayer, worship, worship, and Bible study meetings. Our hope is that your path of vigilance will strengthen and become a habit for you and your family to grow. faith and holiness.
There will be two articles, each with an indication of 2 books, this is the first, and you have a free eBook here to start family service this week.
The pamphlets are: Rediscovering the Secret of Family Worship, by Jerry Marcellino and Adoration at Home, by Joel Beeke, both by Fiel Editor.
1. Rediscovering the Lost Treasure of Family Worship, by Jerry Marcellino, published by Fiel Editor
Jerry Marcelino is pastor, director of a publishing house, author of several books and theological articles.
This booklet is an affectionate exhortation for the family to return to domestic worship.
In the introduction asks how Christians of this generation may be the ones who get dirty, this question he answers by saying that we must return to the old ways as the prophet Jeremiah 6. 16 said and leaves us a quote from Jonathan Edwards:
“The counsel I gave to chiefs and families as a pastor: be careful to teach, counsel, and guide your children; Believe us in the discipline and warning of the Lord; begins early, when there are still opportunities, and maintain constant diligence in such occupations.
Then there are three instructional chapters. Chapter 1 is a look at the past, the author reviews the past showing how important domestic worship was to the preservation of Christianity in the early days of the American nation and the consequences suffered because it was no longer practiced.
Chapter 2 gives us 4 clear reasons to return to the practice of the domestic skin: a) we are stewards of God’s gifts, so the children we have are of God, but it is our responsibility to bring them to the Lord; b) His son has been placed in his home by a plan of God, we must recognize God’s sovereignty in our homes but also use all the means given by God to reach our children; c) the worship of the family prepares us for public worship, domestic worship prepares us for public worship which is the culmination of our worship, so that children may understand that worship involves all life; (d) the spiritual decline of a people – families and churches have shaped the world and this has weakened believers.
Chapter 3 and the last give instructions to begin home worship, here there is no difficulty, even for those who have never practiced it it will be possible to observe the recommendations and easily begin this spiritual discipline at home. ; When can you do this; the three elements of family worship: worship with chants, with scriptures, with prayer; The duration of service how to make it effective and restore family worship.
2. Home Adoration, by Joel Beeke, published by Faithful Editor
The author, Joel Beeke, Puritan pastor, teacher, international speaker and author of numerous publications, including in Portuguese, writes and speaks of God in puritanical spirit, heart and soul.
In this little but giant booklet in its content, the author invites us to return to family worship at home, but not only invites us, but teaches us biblically how to carry out this important spiritual discipline. chapters and 2 annexes.
Chapter 1 deals with the theological basis of domestic worship and also the biblical basis of domestic worship for the education of children and highlights the father’s leadership in service.
Chapter 2 discusses the importance of the duty of domestic worship and divides it into 3 special acts of worship in families: a) Instructing the Word of God; b) Through daily prayer to God; c) For daily songs of praise.
Chapter 3, the book’s largest chapter, provides detailed and practical instructions for organizing home worship in an ideal and realistic way. It is divided into two parts: a) Preparation for worship; b) During service. Both articles contain several practical and clear subdivisions of actions to be performed in domestic worship.
In Chapter 4, Beeke answers some questions that the faithful oppose the idea of starting home services at home, among these objections we have, for example: a) Our family does not have time for this; b) Our family is too small for that; c) Some relatives will not participate, I mentioned a few highlights, but there are several more, there will always be excuses and difficulties, but we must try to overcome them.
To make up for the previous chapter, in Chapter 5, Joel Beeke talks about the motivations for us to practice domestic worship, and he’s good at it!Who knows, you can start with this chapter if you’re not motivated. Biblical reasons for parents to establish home worship, the author cites what some religious parents have said. Motivations: a) Well-being of loved ones. God is committed to using the means so that our children do not forget God’s works; b) For the satisfaction of a good conscience; c) Because it helps raise children; d) For the love of God and his church.
Appendix 1 is a transcription adapted, for the current reader, of the guidelines for domestic worship held at the Edinburgh Assembly in 1647 with directives for worship and rebukes for those who neglect worship.
Appendix 2 is a brief story by missionary John Paton to encourage him to decide today for home worship in his home.
I could never explain how impressed I was by my father’s prayers at the time, and no stranger could understand it, when he was on his knees, with all of us around him, during domestic service, shed his whole soul, with tears. , praying that the pagan world would become to follow Jesus, and for all personal and family needs. We all feel as if we are in the presence of our living Savior, and we come to know and love Him as our divine friend.