If you want to see most Christian Husbands and Fathers in a speechless panic, ask him how family worship is going.
Now, I always wanted to be a father. The birth of my 5 children gave me lasting joy even 35 years later. I love being a dad.
I did not realize at the time that being a Dad also meant that I was the prophet, priest, and king in my home. King, I kinda liked. I call the shots, I make the decisions. Great! But being a prophet to my wife and kids? Teaching them the truth of God? Or a priest, leading my family in worship and praise? That was scary to me; so a tended to neglect that duty, that means of grace to those I loved the most.
Ephesians 6:4 “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Perhaps I could provoke my children to anger by not giving them instruction in the Lord. I love my kids, but it was so difficult to find the time to gather them for worship, I was busy and things seemed to be going well enough. Plus, I was the pastor. That should be enough. For the most part, I failed at leading family worship. I also tended not to exhort others on family worship because of my own neglect. Well, I have repented. And now I am exhorting Christian husbands and fathers, lead your family in worship.
We have a good example of family worship through Timothy’s mom and grandma. 2 Timothy 3:15 “And how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” Here the mom and grandma filled in the gap caused by an unbelieving father.
We have an ever better example in Abraham. Genesis 18:19 “For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring to Abraham what he has promised him.” Covenant blessings were funneled to Abraham and his children through his commanding his children to keep the way of the Lord.
Start small, start simple; but start. Read a verse, sing a stanza, say a prayer. Be the pastor in your own home. Nurture the wife and children that God has given you.