FAMILY MINISTRY

Ministry begins
at home.

The church has an important responsibility to disciple young people, but God has given parents the primary responsibility for the spiritual instruction of their children. We come alongside parents; we do not replace them.

“Family worship is the foundation of child-rearing and that’s what we need to get firmly into our minds.”

— Joel Beeke

“This is the most important part of your life as a father. And this is your bound and duty before God.”

— Joel Beeke

Beeke describes the Christian father’s calling through the biblical offices of prophet, priest, and king.

01

As Prophet

He teaches his family the Word of God and continually points them to the truth of Scripture.

02

As Priest

He prays with and for his family, teaching them to approach the Father through Jesus Christ.

03

As King

He lovingly leads, protects, disciplines, and orders his household under the authority of Christ.

Christ alone is the perfect Prophet, Priest, and King.

The father is not a replacement for Christ. He seeks to reflect Christ’s leadership in the home while depending upon Christ and submitting to His Word.

KEEP IT SIMPLE

Build an ordinary rhythm.

  1. 01Read the Bible together.
  2. 02Talk about what it means.
  3. 03Pray together.
  4. 04Sing together when possible.

Let your children hear you speak naturally and regularly about the things of God. The goal is not to recreate a Sunday service in your living room, but to establish a home where Christ and His Word are part of ordinary family life.

We want what students hear at church to reinforce what is being taught and lived in the home.

A FAMILY WORSHIP RESOURCE

Teach Your Children
the Scriptures.

Joel R. Beeke and Nick Thompson’s planned nine-volume series guides families through the whole Bible with a simple Review · Read · Reflect · Request pattern.

View the published set ↗
01JOEL BEEKE + NICK THOMPSON

Beginning

Genesis

Creation, the fall, covenant promises, and the patriarchs in God’s unfolding plan of redemption.

02JOEL BEEKE + NICK THOMPSON

Wilderness

Exodus–Deuteronomy

God’s deliverance, covenant law, wilderness provision, and the types and shadows that point to Christ.

03JOEL BEEKE + NICK THOMPSON

Fulfillment

Gospels + Acts

Christ’s incarnation, ministry, death, resurrection, and the spread of the gospel through the early church.

04JOEL BEEKE + NICK THOMPSON

Conquest

Joshua–1 Samuel

Israel’s conquest, the decline in Judges, Ruth’s redemption, Samuel, Saul, and God’s preparation of David.

These books are recommended resources, not replacements for Scripture. Read the biblical text first and adapt each lesson to your children’s ages and needs.

The most important youth ministry may not happen in the youth room.

It may happen around the kitchen table.