Family Alter
A time of united blessings, and a sharing together of spiritual growth.Family Alter Time is worshiping God in the home.
>Joshua 24:15 "...as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
My children and I need God's teaching just as Mary, who (Luke 10:39) "…sat Jesus' feet, and heard his word."
Job offered sacrifices for each of his children.
>Job 1:5 "And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually."
I do not offer sacrifices for my children. However, as a parent, I need to pray with and for my children.
I need to be concerned about my family coming to Christ just as was Andrew was who led his brother Simon Peter to Christ.
>John 1:41 "He first findeth his own brother Simon and saith unto him, we have found the Messiah."
I need to pray for the conversion of my entire household.
>Acts 16:15 "And when she was baptized, and her household…"
Acts 16:25-34 relates the conversion and baptisms of the Philippian jailer and his family:
>“25 But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them;
26 and suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison house were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened.
27 When the jailer awoke and saw the prison doors opened, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped.
28 But Paul cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here!”
29 And he called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas,
30 and after he brought them out, he said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him together with all who were in his house.
33 And he took them that very hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household.
34 And he brought them into his house and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, having believed in God with his whole household.
Why do I need a Family Alter Time?
- It builds spiritual stature and depth.
- The Family Alter Time aids Bible learning for the whole family.
- Training is secured through the Family Alter Time. This is where mighty warriors for Christ get their training. The children in my home today will become the warriors in the Kingdom of God tomorrow. This is the time to teach them to use their Sword- the Word of God.
- The Family Alter Time stimulates family unity. It sweetens the family life of every Christian, builds memories, and enriches the home.
- Prayer life is furthered here.
- The Family Alter Time will help dissolve the misunderstandings that occur whenever you have humans living together, and will relieve friction.
>Romans 12:9-11 “9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;"
It is a way to influence any guest I may have in my home. Romans 14:7 “For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.”
My Family Alter Time will become a foundation stone to my church. No church is any stronger than the families that make it up. Romans 6:17 “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.”
I will become an example to other families of what is possible to achieve for God and what a good Christian family looks like. Acts 2:46,47 “And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”
10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;"
It is a way to influence any guest I may have in my home. Romans 14:7 “For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.”
My Family Alter Time will become a foundation stone to my church. No church is any stronger than the families that make it up. Romans 6:17 “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.”
I will become an example to other families of what is possible to achieve for God and what a good Christian family looks like. Acts 2:46,47 “And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”
The Bible requires the Family Alter time.
We are always blessed when we obey. Deuteronomy 6:7 “And thou shalt teach [My Words] diligently unto thy children…”Ephesians 6:4 “And ye fathers, don’t frustrate your children, but bring them up in the culture and education of the Lord.” (Paraphrase)
I will find a place and time for Family Alter Time
*I will find a quiet area for my family worship. It may be around a table, a piano, in the living room, bedroom, maybe the den.
*I will set a definite 15-20 minutes aside each day. This time should be free of interference and convenient for all family members. I should look at my family’s current schedule and find a daily event (such as eating breakfast or going to bed) that I can attach our Family Alter time to in order to make it easier to form the habit of doing it.
*Radios, televisions, MP3 players, video games, computers, telephones or any other elements that would distract attention must be turned off.
*Some one should take the lead. The family should plan together with one person directing. Usually the Christian father is the leader. This Bible precedent was set by many. Among the men who were spiritual leaders of their households were:
*I will set a definite 15-20 minutes aside each day. This time should be free of interference and convenient for all family members. I should look at my family’s current schedule and find a daily event (such as eating breakfast or going to bed) that I can attach our Family Alter time to in order to make it easier to form the habit of doing it.
*Radios, televisions, MP3 players, video games, computers, telephones or any other elements that would distract attention must be turned off.
*Some one should take the lead. The family should plan together with one person directing. Usually the Christian father is the leader. This Bible precedent was set by many. Among the men who were spiritual leaders of their households were:
Abraham: Genesis 18:19 "For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment ; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which He hath spoken of him."
Jacob: Genesis 35:2 "Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, ‘Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments.’"
Isaac blessed his son: Genesis 27:26-27 “And his father Isaac said unto him, Come near now, and kiss me, my son.
27 And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the LORD hath blessed:”
27 And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the LORD hath blessed:”
Sampson's father prayed for guidance to rear his son. Judges 13:8, 12 “Then Manoah entreated the LORD, and said, O my Lord, let the man of God which thou didst send come again unto us, and teach us what we shall ... do unto the child that shall be born. and Manoah said now let thy words come to pass ”
David gave advice to his son Solomon. 1 Kings 2:2-3 "I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man;
3 And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself:"
3 And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself:"
Cornelius headed a religious household. Acts 10:2 “A devout man, and one that feared God with all his heart, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always.”
However, if the father does not lead, the mother or another person should accept the position. Every member should participate.
The family that prays together, stays together
Some ideas for Family Alter Time
- If someone comes to the door, I will politely ask them to join us or to return later.
- We will sing hymns for enjoyment and for providing mood. They help everyone get their mind on God. I can find music and words on the Internet or at my local Bible Book store.
- We can take turns reading the Scriptures. This increases everyone’s skills at reading.
- We can take turns praying. Everyone needs to learn to speak to God.
We will discuss what we have read. We will ask children questions and let them ask us questions. We could also let them draw a picture representing the day’s reading.
Some enjoy using Bible storybooks or devotionals during Family Alter time. If I use them, I will keep in mind that such helps are written by humans and are not the inspired Word of God. They are not necessary, however, as God is capable of speaking to even small children through His Word alone. And it can just be read in order, or I can buy a chronological Bible to put the scripture in historical perspective.
We can share experiences from the day and how God helped or how the Word was applied.
We can practice Bible memory verses.
We can discuss family needs and problems applying God’s Word for the solution.
Private Devotions
Not only should each member of the family be actively involved in the Family Alter Time, each member should have an individual quiet time with the Lord. This helps us draw even closer to God on a personal basis.
It will send me into my day with a better attitude, more strength to work for God, and greater determination to use my life to bring glory to God. Colossians 3:17 “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.”
It will give me strength to meet the discouragements, disappointments, unexpected adversities, and sometimes the blind hopes that fall in my path. Hebrews 2:18 “For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted."
It makes me conscious throughout the day of the presence of God who will bring me through more than a conqueror over every unholy thought or thing that rises up against me.
Philippians 4:5-7 “Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:5-7 “Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
It gives me a time to be quiet and hear God speak to me personally or to just bask in His presence.
Simply reading one chapter and praying every morning will greatly increase my closeness to God.
Simply reading one chapter and praying every morning will greatly increase my closeness to God.
Marital Fellowship with God
It strengthens marriages for a couple to spend time with their Bible and their God together. Again, just a chapter and a time of prayer together makes a tremendous difference. My relationship with God and my spouse is an equilateral (equal-sided) triangle. The closer we come to each other, the closer we come to God. The closer we come to God the closer we come to each other. Marital devotion times are ideal for achieving this.