When Christians live together in a family or in a household they may observe times of worship together. When it is possible to worship together daily, households may engage in

§  table prayer, which may be accompanied by the use of Scripture and song;

§  morning and evening prayer;

§  Bible reading, study, reflection, and memorization;

§  singing psalms, hymns, spirituals, and other songs;

§  expressions of giving and sharing.

Given the complexity of schedules and the separations incurred in daily occupations, it is especially important to cultivate the discipline of regular household worship. When members of a household are not able to come together for worship, they may nevertheless observe a common time of personal worship with common readings and prayer concerns.

The parent(s) should teach their children about Christian worship by example, by providing for household worship, and by discussion and instruction. Children join in household worship

§  praying and singing,

§  listening to and telling Bible stories,

§  reading and memorizing,

§  leading and sharing,

§  enacting and responding.

§  teaching about the elements of worship used regularly in the Service for the Lord’s Day.

Household worship usually reflects occasions of special recognition and celebration in the life of the church and in the lives of those in the household. Birthdays, baptismal days, and other anniversaries are all appropriate occasions for special observance. It is also important in household worship to anticipate and remember the Lord’s Day and the celebration of the Lord’s Supper. Seasons of the Christian year provide direction and content for household worship, with the seasons of Advent and Lent and the celebration of Christmas and Easter being particularly appropriate to observe in worship in households. Worship in this setting will also recognize the cycle of seasons in nature and the rhythm of community, national, and world life, as well as those events and needs which remind believers of their call to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in the world.