Family Altar Praying together, staying together

Growing Up In Proverbsville

When our two children were growing up it was our practice to have family altar just before bedtime each evening.  My husband chose the Book of Proverbs to use each night, reading and discussing a chapter each night.  We were able to go through the entire book each month as there are thirty-one chapters in Proverbs.

 The principles written in Proverbs helped our family develop proper relationships with those with whom they came in contact in their daily lives.  Many times the verses we discussed nightly would be recalled in our minds the following day as we went about our activities.  These principles build a strong foundation upon which children can base their lives as they grow older.

 As our children grew into the teen years it became even more important that we spend the time with them, giving them the opportunity to share their feelings, frustrations and fears.  It seemed as we opened the Bible each night and read together from God’s Word their openness to discuss daily activities grew.  They shared things that had transpired during their busy school days and we enjoyed hearing how they were reacting to their peers or teachers.

 There was a lot of laughter and a few tearful times as we laughed and cried together in evening devotions.  These are some of the most memorable times we had as a family just enjoying each other around the Word of God.  This practice of daily Bible reading together as a family developed in our children the desire to do the same with their children as they grew to adulthood, left home and married their life’s mate.

This brings to mind the Scripture in 3 John verse 4:  “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”  In keeping with that thought I am reminded of Deuteronomy 6:5-7 which says, And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.  And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 

Maxine Bridges