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[/amazon_link]Although we never had Family worship when I grew up, I’ve long been convinced of the necessity of family worship. My convictions were reinforced a few months ago when a young man working with students here in France told me that many young people from a christian background who arrive in university have difficulties sharing the gospel. Even formulating the basics of the faith seems a challenge.
In France, secularism is so much part of our culture that even Christian families do not speak about God outside of church. People claim they have a “quiet time”, but they don’t speak together about spiritual issues. Parents do not teach their children about the gospel. They leave that into the hand of the Sunday school and the youth group. When you think that there is only one Sunday meeting, and maybe a youth group every other week, it means that the message that children hear most is the secular one.
I know there are exceptions, but they are few. In my experience, the majority of French Christian parents do not teach their children about Christ at home.
This recent book was a helpful addition to my collection of books on family worship. It offers a sound biblical grounding for family worship and gives practical advice. It is also realistic. People who speak on family worship often give an idealistic view of the practice, with quiet children listening and answering questions. It is discouraging for most families. The reality is often very different. I have got 3 young boys, and I must admit that many times I have shortened our time of worship together because of the noise and shouting. But Jason Helopoulos’ book is honest: family worship is a struggle with young children, but we must persevere. It is aimed at encouraging rather than discouraging by offering a romantic view of family worship. Jason Helopoulos doesn’t hesitate to share some of his struggles, and those of others. By doing this, he encourages us to persevere.
We live in a world that is trying to pull our children and ourselves away from the gospel. How can we make sure that every sphere of our lives are God centred? By gathering together as families to worship God. It doesn’t take long, it is doesn’t require a theological degree, and it will benefit every member of the family. This book will help you towards that goal.