The Family Altar Part 1

If you've listened to Keeping It Young for long, you've probably heard Dave refer to the "family altar" but what exactly does he mean when he says that? The next few episodes will explain exactly what he means!

In this episode, you heard Dave and Bethlie reference a past episode on Deuteronomy 6.

Here is the link to part 1 of that 7 episode series.

Here are the notes from today's episode.

The Family Altar

1. What is a family altar?
   1. The family altar refers to the way a Christian family regularly prays together.
      1. It is different than grace at a table.
      2. It is a daily time that frequently includes Scripture combined with prayers
   2. The family altar is:
      1. A family altar is a designated space or time in a home dedicated to religious or spiritual practices, often involving prayer, worship, and study of sacred texts. It serves as a focal point for family devotions, fostering a sense of unity, spiritual growth, and connection to faith. The specific elements and practices associated with a family altar can vary greatly depending on the family's religious or spiritual tradition. 
      2. An "on purpose way" for a family to regularly learn spiritual truth and traditions
      3. The family altar — a designated time and place at home where the family comes together to pray, worship and experience the living God — is like a firewall against Satan's schemes. Show me a family altar, and I will show you an atmosphere of faith and a house where God's presence resides.-Samuel Rodriquez, Influence Magazine

The term "family altar" speaks to a time when the leader of the home gathers the family together to focus on God.

• For some families, that may mean once a week. It could be Sunday evening as the family prepares for another week.
• It could be Saturday evening as they family prepares their heart for worship with their church the next morning.
• Other families might practice it everyday at the breakfast table or at nighttime prayers.

Why is the family altar important? God says so – that's why! Here are just a few of the examples of God's stance on the family altar:

1. Abraham was told to teach his children so that following generations would know the Lord (Gen. 18:19).
2. Moses taught that parents were to teach their children to love the Lord all throughout the day (Deut. 6:7).
3. The psalmist taught the necessity of God's people declaring God's greatness to the next generations (Ps. 78:3-7).
4. Solomon taught that if you trained a child in the Lord, they would not depart from that way (Prov. 22:6).
5. Fathers were instructed to teach children in the instruction of the Lord (Eph. 6:4).

Why should we have one?

1. 1. It builds unity in a family
   2. It teaches Bible truths systematically to our children
   3. It makes a statement that our faith is real and valid
   4. It focuses our attention on our God
   5. It helps to foster peace in the home
   6. It is a way to influence our children on a daily basis
   7. It provides a way for us to obey the Scriptures regarding our family

Links:

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Westwood Baptist Church

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