Benefits of Using a Family Devotional or Bible Study Guide
The Importance of Family Devotion and Bible Study
Family devotion and Bible study are essential components of Christian family life, providing a foundation for spiritual growth, unity, and guidance. The Bible emphasizes the importance of teaching children God's laws and commandments, as seen in Deuteronomy 4:9-10, where Moses instructs parents to "teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up" [1].
The benefits of family devotion and Bible study are multifaceted. Firstly, they promote unity and harmony within the family. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, living in unity is a key aspect of a godly family, citing Psalm 133:1, which states, "How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity!" [1]. Family devotion and Bible study help to foster this unity by providing a shared spiritual experience.
Secondly, family devotion and Bible study are crucial for the spiritual growth and development of family members. Charles Hodge, in his Systematic Theology, emphasizes the importance of family prayer and Bible reading, stating that "let each day, at least, begin and end with God" [3]. This practice helps to cultivate a deepening relationship with God and promotes spiritual maturity.
Thirdly, family devotion and Bible study provide a means of coping with afflictions and challenges. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, afflictions can be beneficial in promoting the glory of God, exhibiting His power and faithfulness, and teaching us His will [2]. Family devotion and Bible study help families to navigate these challenges by providing a framework for understanding and responding to them in a godly manner.
The early Church Fathers also recognized the importance of family devotion and Bible study. Augustine, in his work On the Holy Trinity, highlights the value of Scripture in promoting spiritual growth and understanding [7]. one tradition notes that Scripture can be understood in multiple ways, including historically, etiologically, analogically, and allegorically.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church also emphasizes the importance of Scripture in family life, noting that it provides a rich source of spiritual nourishment and guidance [6]. Similarly, the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion, an Anglican document, underscores the significance of Scripture in Christian life and worship [8].
In addition to these benefits, family devotion and Bible study can also have a positive impact on family relationships. John Calvin, in his Institutes of the Christian Religion, notes that when families come together to pray and study Scripture, they are able to support and encourage one another in their spiritual journeys [4].
The Psalms also highlight the importance of family and children in God's plan. Psalm 127:3-5 describes children as a blessing from God, using a wordplay between "children" (banim) and "builders" (bonim) to emphasize the role of children in building a family [5].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Families — Of saints blessed -- Ps 128:3-6. Should Be taught the Scriptures. -- De 4:9,10. Worship God together. -- 1Co 16:19. Be duly regulated. -- Pr 31:27; 1Ti 3:4,5,12. Live in unity. -- Ge 45:24; Ps 133:1. Live in mutual forbearance. -- Ge 50:17-21; Mt 18:21,22. Rejoice together before God. -- De 14:26. Deceivers and liars should be removed from -- Ps 101:7. Warning against departing from God -- De 29:18. Punishment of irreligious -- Jer 10:25. Good -- Exemplified Abraham. -- Ge 18:19. Jacob. -- Ge 35:2. Joshua. -- Jos 24:15. David. -- 2Sa 6:20. Job. -- Job 1:5.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflictions Made Beneficial — In promoting the glory of God -- Joh 9:1-3; 11:3,4; 21:18,19. In exhibiting the power and faithfulness of God -- Ps 34:19,20; 2Co 4:8-11. In teaching us the will of God -- Ps 119:71; Isa 26:9; Mic 6:9. In turning us to God -- De 4:30,31; Ne 1:8,9; Ps 78:34; Isa 10:20,21; Ho 2:6,7. In keeping us from again departing from God -- Job 34:31,32; Isa 10:20; Eze 14:10,11. In leading us to seek God in prayer -- Jdj 4:3; Jer 31:18; La 2:17-19; Ho 5:14,15; Jon 2:1. In convincing us of sin -- Job 36:8,9; Ps 119:67; Lu 15:16-18. In leading us to con”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 73: vi. 6 .) The Bible presents to us the example of the people of God, and of our blessed Lord himself, as a rule of conduct on this subject. We read that Christ often retired for the purpose of prayer, and not unfrequently spent whole nights in that exercise. If the spotless soul of Jesus needed these seasons of converse with God, none of his followers should venture to neglect this important means of grace. Let each day, at least, begin and end with God. Social prayer includes family prayer, and prayer in the assemblies of the people for s”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 75: we all obtain whatever is good is our common Father ( Mt. 23:9 ), every thing which has been distributed to us we should be prepared to communicate to each other, as far as occasion demands. But if we are thus desirous as we ought, to stretch out our hands and give assistance to each other, there is nothing by which we can more benefit our brethren than by committing them to the care and protection of the best of parents, since if He is propitious and favourable nothing more can be desired. And, indeed, we owe this also to our Fath”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 127:3: 127:3-5 Children are one of God’s blessings. The words translated “children” (Hebrew banim) and “builders” (bonim, 127:1) form a wordplay. Having children builds a family.”
- Catechism of the Catholic Church (Catholic) “Catechism of the Catholic Church, 3. the anagogical sense (Greek: anagoge, "leading"). We can view (part 2): 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra and Nehemiah, Tobit, Judith, Esther, 1 and 2 Maccabees, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, the Song of Songs, the Wisdom of Solomon, Sirach (Ecclesiasticus), Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Baruch, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zachariah and Malachi. The New Testament: the Gospels according to Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, the Acts of the Apostles, the Letters of St. Paul to the Romans, ”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 3: Augustine — On the Holy Trinity — THE PROFIT OF BELIEVING. (part 6): if I love truth, if I esteem friendship, if I fear much lest you be deceived. 5. All that Scripture therefore, which is called the Old Testament, is handed down fourfold to them who desire to know it, according to history, according to aetiology, according to analogy, according to allegory. Do not think me silly for using Greek words. In the first place, because I have so received, nor do I dare to make known to you otherwise than I have received. Next you yourself perceive, that we have not in use terms for such”
- Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion (Anglican) “Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion (Anglican, 1571), Absolutions: Absolutions Absolutions Acclamation Acclamations Additional Prayers for use at Christmastide Affirmation of Faith An Outline for a Christingle Service An Outline for a Crib Service Before a Bible Reading Bidding Prayers and Introductions Blessings and Ending Blessings and Endings Blessings Blessings of the Crib Carol Services in the Christmas Season Christingle Services and Crib Services Collects Confession Eucharist of Christmas Night or Morning Extended Preface Gospel Acclamation Gospel Acclamation Greeting/Introduction/Acclamat”