HH 2.5: Family Discipleship
Note for parents
After each episode of Household Hermeneutics, we are going to have a second, much smaller episode that will encapsulate the topic of the main episode and provide some resources and other useful things that you can use to teach your kids in a family worship setting. This week’s main episode wasn’t on a specific topic, but more of a look at different ways to study and understand theology, so today’s family worship episode is going to be on the topic of how and why we should study the Bible. In future episodes that are on a specific theological topic, the family worship episode will be on the same topic.
Family Worship - Studying God’s Word
When we’re in school, we study and prepare for tests, right? Why do we do that? There could be many reasons, such as hoping to get good grades, wanting a quality education and understanding the topics we’re learning, hoping to graduate, and you can probably come up with more. Well, studying God’s Word, the Bible, is even more important than studying in school.
Why do you think that is? In our last episode, we learned that the primary purpose that we have is the glorify God and enjoy Him forever, right? Well, studying the Bible is the best way to learn how to do that.
Just like last time, let’s look at a couple historical catechisms to see what they say about this. First, in the Westminster Shorter Catechism, it says in Question 2:
Q. 2. What rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him?
A. The Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him.
Question 3 goes on to say:
Q. 3. What do the Scriptures principally teach?
A. The Scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man.
In an even more succinct way, The Catechism for Boys and Girls says in Question 14:
14. Q. Where do you learn how to love and obey God?
A. In the Bible alone
Before going any further, let’s take a look at what the Bible itself says about all this. 2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
Right before those 2 verses, where Paul clearly establishes all the things that Scripture is good for, he also says, “and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”
2 Timothy 1:13 says, “Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.”
Psalm 119:104 says, “Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.”
There are countless other verses in the Bible that speak to this same fact, that the things we need to know in order to live in such a way as to love and obey God are found in the Bible, but we’ll stop there for now. Since we’ve now established that fact, let’s now move on to taking a look at how we can study and understand the Bible.
One of the easiest ways to learn is simply by reading the Bible. Now, this can of course be tricky sometimes, because there are parts of the Bible that aren’t completely easy to understand. We shouldn’t give up when we come across something hard or confusing. We should pray, asking God to help us to understand, and we should ask others for help, such as our parents, our pastor, or sunday school teacher. Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” This means that we can rely on it to help us live our lives in a godly way.
Memorizing bible verses is another excellent way to study. That’s why I always include a verse to memorize at the end of these episodes. Having lots of the Bible memorized is super helpful in times such as when you face trials, are suffering from a lack of motivation, or are going through some sort of temptation because God’s word will remind you of his presence and guidance on how to deal with your situation. Psalm 119:9-11 says, “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”
Finally, another great way to study and understand the Bible better is to use Bible studies and listen to sermons. While they should never replace reading the Bible on its own, studies and sermons exist that can help you to go deeper and understand what the Scripture is saying. Psalm 119:33-34 says “Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart.” A great way to do this is with the help of tools like these.
Memory Verse
2 Timothy 3:16 - All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Catechisms
Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q. 2. What rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him?
A. The Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him.
Q. 3. What do the Scriptures principally teach?
A. The Scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man.
Keach’s Catechism
Q. 4. What is the Word of God?
A. The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, being given by divine inspiration, are the Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice.
Q. 5. How do we know that the Bible is the Word of God?
A. The Bible evidences itself to be God's Word by the heavenliness of its doctrine, the unity of its parts, its power to convert sinners and to edify saints; but the Spirit of God only, bearing witness by and with the Scriptures in our hearts, is able fully to persuade us that the Bible is the Word of God.
Q. 6. May all men make use of the Scriptures?
A. All men are not only permitted, but commanded and exhorted, to read, hear, and understand the Scriptures.
Q. 7. What do the Scriptures principally teach?
A. The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God and what duty God requires of man.
Catechism for Boys and Girls
14.Q. Where do you learn how to love and obey God?
A. In the Bible alone.
15.Q. Who wrote the Bible?
A. Holy men who were taught by the Holy Spirit.
Worship Song
Great is Thy Faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be
Great is Thy faithfulness, great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me
Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love
Great is Thy faithfulness, great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside
Great is Thy faithfulness, great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me
Credits: Words by Thomas Chisholm (1923), Music by William M. Runyan (1923)
Public Domain
Resource Recommendations
Great is Thy Faithfulness - Sung by Chris Rice: https://youtu.be/0k1WhFtVp0o
Westminster Shorter Catechism: Question 2 put to music: https://youtu.be/Q1p8bSN3Xgg
Westminster Shorter Catechism: Question 3 put to music: https://youtu.be/DN8Xj3iPFpA
