Mountain Cove Family Web Site

...but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15b

Biblical spiritual leadership in the home, whether it is called family worship, family devotions or home discipleship, has been recognized as a important part of the Christian family throughout history. The Bible tells us that this is the responsibility of the father, who is the head of the household. Many families today who may be active in their local church have been neglecting their resposibility of having daily family worship at home. The consequence for these Christian families has been bad relationships between husbands and wives and parents and children. Instead of equipping and encouraging these families to start having daily family worship at home, many churches have attempted to take the job of being the spiritual leader of these families, and in doing so these churches have only hurt the families.

The Elements of Family Worship Service

A. Bible Reading

The head of the household takes a portion of scripture and reads it to the family and make comments on what was read.

B. Prayer Time

Take some time to pray about matters

C. Hymn singing

Sing some of your favorite hymns.

D. Close in Prayer

See how simple this can be! Henry Reyenga, President of Christian Leaders has created the Christian Leaders Family Journal that he is making available free to families nationwide. Click here to find out more about Christian Leaders and to order your free copy.

Keys For Kids is an excellent way to have devotions with your younger children, especially those ages 3-8.

Our family also enjoys reading The Childs Story Bible by Catherine F. Vos, this is the most Biblically accurate childrens story Bible we have found.

Reestablishing a Christian Culture in America

Darrell Dow of Jeffersonville, Indiana wrote a recent article on Dave Black's web site titled, "Reestablishing a Christian Culture in America". I would encourage you to read this article, that I believe is a much needed message for today's Christian families.

I would like to add to Mr. Dow's article, that we not only live in an "anti-family culture", but that many Christians in America attend "anti-family local churches".

Christian families not only need to start "reclaiming numerous powers arrogated to it that have been usurped by the state", but Christian families must reclaim the leadership and unity of the family that has been usurped by the local church. So many churches are focused on programs and entertainment, while families attend once or twice a week, Christ is not real at home during the week, this explains why, as Mr. Dow has pointed out, that 88% of the children of Evangelical parents leave church at 18 and never return.

Christian families need to reject the idea that families should be separated at church by age for worship, Bible study, prayer and all of the many activities during the week that divide the families and take away their family time. Christian fathers need to reclaim their role as the spiritual leader of their family and not depend on the church to disciple their wife and children. Christian families need to reclaim daily family worship and home discipleship, and let God bring them into fellowship with other Christian families who are doing the same. God will build His church, if we are doing what He has called us to do!

If Christian families can take their eyes off the Christian entertainment industry that has become so much a part of the modern day local church in America, and focus on God and their call to unite together as a family in Christ, then those Christian families will start making progress in "Reestablishing a Christian Culture in America".

For more on this topic I encourage you to spend some time on the following Web sites:

Here are some great articles from Scott Brown, one of the Elders at Trinity Baptist Church in Wake Forest, NC.