Habits of Enhancement

We've been going through the idea of family worship, and worship in general, as we are blogging along through ideas and content from the book Family Worship. As we've been getting our minds around the idea of worship so we can practice it in the home, we've been focusing on understanding what worship is and is not. In last week's post, we looked more at worship. Particularly we looked at when "worship" isn't worship.

Chapter two of the book, Family Worship, is very interesting and helpful. In this chapter, the author takes us through stories (very briefly and just skimming the surface!) of Christians of the past who have cultivated "family worship." This includes people we know like Martin Luther, Jonathan Edwards, and Charles Spurgeon. It also includes important, yet forgotten Christians of the distant past like Tertullian (from the 3rd century) and John Chrysostom (from the 4th century).

When "worship" isn't worship

To whom to we lift and direct our hands in worship?

We can be easily fooled--by ourselves--into thinking that what we're doing, or what we've been doing is just fine if there are no clear signs to the contrary.

In the previous post one point about worship is that it is a life thing. It's not defined by the songs, the liturgy, the prayers. In fact, sometimes the songs and praises and other stuff we usually associate with "worship" can get in the way of worship.

There are times when "worship" isn't worship.

What is worship? (Part II in a series on family worship, using the book "Family Worship")

It's happened before. We get ready to go to "worship" on Sundays and I get this unsettled feeling when someone says, "Let's get ready to go to worship."

Lately, I've been inclined to say something like, "No. We're going to sing songs of praise and gather with other Christians for prayer, fellowship, and encouragement. It's part of the Christian life, but does not define worship."

Maybe you've thought this. Maybe you have not. Maybe I'm wrong. Or maybe there's something more to "worship."

As we get into the book Family Worship, it is important that we get our heads around what "worship" is in the first place.