Page 3 - August 2026 - Truth & Tidings

t will ground your children in truth. your children, and shall talk of them when
It will add to your children’s spiritual you sit in your house, and when you walk
Igrowth. It will give them experience by the way, and when you lie down, and
discussing what is truly important. It will when you rise” (Deu 6:5-7). A number
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encourage your children to think about of the Psalms speak about the home as
others. It will instill a spirit of thankful- a place where parents regularly instruct
ness within them. It will reduce feelings their children (Psa 34,78,127), even do-
of isolation your children might struggle ing so “around your table” (128:3). In the
with. It will improve communication New Testament, just before Paul gives
within your family. It will build up the instructions to wives, husbands, children
faith of your children and promote humil- and fathers, he exhorts, “Let the word of
ity among them. It will assist your children Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and
in conflict resolution. It will teach them admonishing one another in all wisdom”
respect for God and others. It will help you (Col 3:15), perhaps envisioning a Christian
to understand your children better. What family sitting down together around the
could possibly accomplish all these things? Word of God.
It’s something that has been neglected in
many families for years, but if practiced Maybe it’s a practice you’ve always
would radically change the health of our considered but don’t know where to start.
families, marriages and local assemblies For some families, too many other commit-
for generations. ments have crowded out time which could
It was once referred to with the quaint be used. Late days at the office combined
phrase “the family altar.” And the old ad- with after-school activities make it difficult.
ages have largely proven themselves to be But we will always make room for what we
true: “The family altar will alter a family.” feel to be valuable. Reread that first para-
“The family that prays together stays to- graph. This is obviously worth it!
gether.” “If you’re too busy to have a family It might be unrealistic to begin reading
altar, you are just too busy.” and praying together every day, but deter-
The concept of a family altar originates mine before the Lord that this will be a pri-
from the Bible’s first book. Throughout ority in your home. If possible, take turns
Genesis, men such as Noah, Abraham, reading the verses and discuss them. Ask
Isaac and Jacob built altars to the Lord each child who or what you should pray for
with their families present as they wor- so that they develop the habit of thinking
shipped. By Moses’ day, the idea of reading about others. Let them pray also as it can
and praying together as a family became become a great training ground. Whatever
something specifically instructed by the the case, you can make this happen. Tell the
Lord. “You shall love the LORD your God family it starts tonight. Join with Joshua in
with all your heart and with all your soul his resolve: “But as for me and my house, we
and with all your might. And these words will serve the LORD” (Jos 24:15).
that I command you today shall be on your
heart. You shall teach them diligently to 1 Bible quotations in this article are from the ESV.

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