On August 27, 2018, as we were finishing dinner, the kids asked if we could have a time of worship before bed. It was just five minutes until bedtime, but how could I say no to their request? I agreed, saying, “Yes, but only for 15 minutes.” Little did I know what God had in store. As we began worshiping, the atmosphere shifted, and the presence of God became tangible. Aliyah, who was 9 at the time, started crying and calling out, “Jesus.” Then Alexeah, who was just 6, began crying as well. They were encountering God! What was meant to be 15 minutes turned into an hour and a half. It all happened because we as a family chose to make room for Jesus to move.
Family worship at home isn’t going to look perfect. Some nights the kids are bouncing off the walls, someone’s whining about being tired, and the toddler is having a meltdown mid-worship song. But God never asked for perfection. He asked for obedience.
If we want to raise kids who know how to worship God with their whole hearts, it has to start in our homes. Church services are great, but they can’t be the only place where our kids learn to encounter Him. Imagine if one day someone asked your child, “Where did you first experience God?” And without hesitation, they answer, “At home.”
That’s the goal. For your home to be a place where His presence dwells. A place where your kids grow up knowing that they don’t need a stage, a crowd, or a Sunday service to meet with Him. Because they’ve already met Him in their living room.
Making Room for What Matters
In our home, we are intentional about protecting time for family worship. We plan our day around it making sure the kids aren’t going to bed late or rushing through the night. We don’t let busyness steal this sacred time.
Truth is, if we don’t make space for God, something else will fill it.
And it doesn’t have to be a two-hour production. Consistency is what matters. Whether it’s 20 minutes or an hour, the goal is to create room for God to meet with your family.
How We Do It
Our family worship is simple, but it’s powerful. We start by reading scripture together. This last time, Aliyah shared a passage of scripture she had read earlier in the week and prayed before we began worship. There’s power in hearing God’s Word come from our kids lips.
We let them ask questions, share their thoughts, and process what they’re reading. It’s not about rushing. It’s about letting the Word sink into their hearts.
Then, we worship together. Some nights we sing along to a worship playlist. Other nights, we sit in stillness and pray. There have even been nights that last for 20 minutes and some that last for an hour.
And sometimes, it’s messy. Some nights feel off. But God still shows up.
It Won’t Be Perfect and That’s Okay
If you’re waiting for the perfect night to do family worship, you’ll never do it. Your kids might be wiggly. Someone might get a case of the giggles mid-prayer. It might feel like you’re herding cats some nights. DO. IT. ANYWAY. God moves in imperfect moments.
When you choose to press through, your kids start to recognize His voice. They begin to hear Him for themselves. You’ll see their faith grow. Not because they sat quietly with folded hands. But because they were given space to engage with God authentically.
A Legacy That Lasts
When we make family worship a regular rhythm, we are giving our kids more than a childhood routine. We’re giving them a legacy.
One day, when they’re adults and facing their own battles, they’ll remember the nights they saw their parents on their knees. They’ll remember the sound of scripture being read out loud. They’ll remember the moments when the presence of God filled the living room.And they’ll know how to build an altar of worship in their own homes because they watched you build one in yours.
Start Small, Stay Consistent
If you’re not already doing family worship, start small. Pick one night a week. Let the kids take turns reading scripture. Create a worship playlist that you can use each time and worship together. Keep it simple, but make it sacred. Don’t aim for perfection. Aim for presence. No matter what is happening, allow your kids to see you sing and lift your hands. Do your best to not allow distractions to take the place of what matters.
Home: The First Place They Encounter God
Parents, don’t underestimate the power of your obedience. The moments you create now, the scripture you read, the prayers you pray, the songs you sing are leaving a mark.
You’re creating a home where your kids will encounter God long before they ever step into a church service.
And one day, when someone asks them where they first met Jesus, they’ll say, “At home.”
Unshakable kids. 