An Intro to Family Worship
Featuring Benjamin Davis, Host of the Right Perspective Podcast
This week on Sundresses and Sourdough I have a very unique article for you. This article features a much respected brother in Christ, Benjamin Davis. Today, I’ll be interviewing Benjamin on the subject of Family Worship. Last fall, he wrote a guide to help families get started on family worship and it was very beneficial for my family. I’ll be sure to link the book at the end of this interview.
Q1. Hello, Benjamin! Before we start, can you introduce yourself, your work and the mission of your Twitter page and podcast?
Sure, my name is Benjamin Davis. I’m Christian father living in Texas with my beautiful wife and 4 kids. I have a Twitter account where I talk about politics, culture, and men’s issues, especially apathy and fatherhood. I also do interviews for the Right Perspective Podcast put out by The Conservative. The goal there is to discuss topics pertaining to reclaiming our Christian heritage in the West. I have also compiled some guidebooks on leading family worship in the home.
Q2. Can you tell us a little of what inspired you to lead family worship within your home?
A couple things. I had a foundation in it from my Dad; he led us in praise with his guitar, those were the best times. And then the late, great Voddie Baucham introduced me to the idea of a father formally catechising his children.
Q3. Why do you believe family worship is important outside of church attendance?
Sunday church is not enough for your children to form the spiritual roots they need. We’re given the responsibility to train up our children in the ways of Christ, we shouldn’t be abdicating it all to the local church. We’ve been trying that for a few generations now, and the result is that we almost expect our children to fall away in college.
“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. “You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.”
—Deuteronomy 6:6-7
Q4. What does family worship look like in the Davis household?
It’s going to look different for different households. My oldest kids are almost 3, so we’re waiting to catechise them till they can read. So it looks like this right now; after I’ve finished my plate at the evening meal, the kids still have food and are settled into eating. I read either the Psalm of the day (Psalm 15 on the 15th of the month, etc) or part of a Proverb. Then we sing a couple hymns out of my Family Worship guide. Some nights it’s just the reading, but I’m working towards consistently doing some short commentary on what we just read, and then consistently singing as well.
Q5. You’ve written a guide for leaders and followers for family worship. What inspired you to write it? What was your goal with releasing this book?
A few things. One: it’s exactly the kind of tool that will help me lead family worship consistently in my home. I don’t have to figure it out every night, or look up hymns, it’s all right there. Two: it seemed to be a need. I think fathers are intimidated by the idea of doing it, so this walks you through it for every day of the month. My main goal is that it would help more fathers take an active role in the spiritual development of their wives and children.
Q6. During the wintertime, my husband works around 85hrs a week. Oftentimes he only sees the children on Sundays. What are some ways I can maintain the practice of family worship without usurping my husband’s role as leader?
Anything you do that’s been delegated to you by your husband is not a usurpation. So ask him what he would like you to do during the week while he’s gone. But my suggestions would be for you to read scripture to them, and sing hymns/Psalms with them, or at least put that on in the background throughout the day.
Q7. Outside of family worship, what are some ways your wife is teaching your children about the Lord?
We allow it to come out naturally through the day, when we’re explaining why something is naughty, or just explaining how something works, in real life or during a bedtime story. If Christ is really important to you, then he’ll never be too far from the tip of your tongue. And combine that with remembering that our kids don’t know hardly anything, then it comes out pretty often.
Q8. I know they’re toddlers at the moment but what are some ways you plan to teach your children about the Lord as they get older (scripture memorization, discussing confessions and creeds, etc.)?
A lot of the same, plus adding catecheses to the mix once they can read a little bit. I will also set the expectation that we all read our Bible as part of our personal morning routines. One of the best habits you can instill in a child.
Q9. We’ve discussed in the past that you keep your children in service during church. What are some tips you have for other families who are also family integrated?
We do, and it’s slowly getting easier, so my top advice is to be persistent. We didn’t find toys or books helpful, but a snack can be. Other things that can help are being clear with expectations and consequences before the service starts, being consistent, sitting near the back so kids can be disciplined outside of the sanctuary easily, and getting help from grandparents or an equivalent.
Q10. If you’re sick or out of town, does your wife take the children to church and keep them in service by herself? If so, how does she manage that considering y’all have 3 under 3?
Not yet, though I’m not sure we’ve been in that situation yet. But if it did and she went, we have family and friends there who would help her with the kids.
Q11. Do you have any other tips for mothers when it comes to them teaching their children about the Lord?
Two things:
Have some more serious books in your bedtime story repertoire, alongside the Dr Seuss stories, Island Boy by Barbara Cooney is one of my kids favorites, but it also lets me discuss death and afterwards with my kids.
Be serious about letting your husband lead in your home. Your kids need to see you living out scripture, and this is one of the most powerful ways you can do that.
Q12. Thank you for taking the time for this interview! Before we sign off, can you tell people where they can find you and share some links to your books?
You’re very welcome. My X handle is @SkinnyTieShop
All my other links (including my podcast) can be found on here linktr.ee/Bennyskinnydavis