On Theology and the Christian Life - Cultivating Catechesis Part Two: At the family altar

In Luther’s Small Catechism there are Six Chief Parts of Christian Doctrine — the Ten Commandments, the Apostles’ Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, Holy Baptism, Confession and the Sacrament of the Altar. Each of these brief parts is headed by this instruction: “As the head of the family should teach them in a simple way to his household.” What Luther instructs here is the very command of the Scriptures. “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4). In this way, holy scripture pictures the Christian home as a kind of congregation wherein the father acts as a pastor to all in his care. In light of this, things such as Bible reading, prayer, singing, and catechesis (Christian instruction) should take place daily in the home.

I could be wrong, but I imagine most people think the primary place catechesis occurs is in and through the church. It certainly happens there, but Christian instruction through weekly services, Sunday school, confirmation, Bible studies, vacation bible school, etc., is to have as its bedrock and foundation home devotion. In keeping with many Lutheran pastors, I refer to this as the family altar. Unfortunately, there has been a lack of attention paid to this scriptural and God-pleasing effort. Many things are to blame for it, but there is really no use in pointing fingers. Rather, without excuses we ought all to forget “those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:13-14) and teach the Christian faith to “our children and our children’s children” (Deut. 4:9, 6:4-9).

The family altar is of particular benefit for our Christian children and no more time can be wasted in its neglect. The late Walter A. Maier — Lutheran pastor and first speaker of the radio program “The Lutheran Hour” — wrote a book on marriage called “For Better not For Worse.” In it he writes a chapter called “At the Family Altar.” He lists 12 benefits of daily home devotion. I’ll spare the reader the entire list and offer a few of the greatest benefits he highlights.

“Home worship will prove invaluable in emphasizing the Christian way of life and the verities of the Christian faith to the children in each family.” If children have not been exposed to something by their father and mother, whatever they encounter is completely foreign to them. I have little doubt that a father will go to a shooting range with his son before the boy enters hunter’s safety or pulls the trigger on his first buck. It seems commonplace that all children will get behind the wheel of a car with father or mother in the passenger’s seat before they start driver’s education. Surely kids shoot a basketball or throw a football long before they begin organized sports. Most of this is taken up by their parents. To what end? The child’s preparation, of course, so that he would know how hard his rifle recoils and also shoot the deer in the right place or so she will know how hard to push on the gas pedal or put the car into park or they would be less clumsy when it comes time for their first practice. In a similar way, home devotions teach children that a Christian is one who always hears the voice of Jesus, prays, and sings His praises. At the family altar, the child is exercised in those things a Christian is to be concerned with through the whole of his life.

Maier also writes “Prayers in the morning will guide us through the day, and their blessings will strengthen us at work, in school, or at play. Prayers in the evening will invoke the angels’ watchfulness over us and ours, affording light in the darkness and protection in our weakness.” In other words, the prayers that bookend our days draw attention to the mercy and protection of God, thus revealing our constant need of his providential care. Such will further encourage us to the public gathering of the body of Christ to corporately pray, praise, and give thanks for all that Christ has done in his saving work.

Likewise “the family altar will strengthen us to withstand bravely the adversities of life, for it helps to found our homes on that Rock against which all trials and tempests will beat in vain.” There is little doubt that our world continues to grow antagonistic toward the faith of the Christian Church. Constant is the world’s influence on Christians to abandon their first love and our children are the most vulnerable. So, we cannot take a day off from hearing the Word of God and coming before Him with our prayers because the devil, the world, and our own sinful flesh work over-time to root faith out of our hearts.

Finally, “prayerful homes will honor our heavenly Father and, in turn, be honored by him.” Nothing else need be said here. It is the desire of all Christians — children of their heavenly Father — to show Him honor by humbly calling upon His name for all the needs of body and soul. He, in turn, will answer our prayers as He has promised to do. Let this vital part of our lives as Christians in a fallen world have a reformation of sorts.

I offer here scaffolding toward that end: At the family altar my recommendation is to start in the New Testament, beginning with Matthew and simply to read one chapter a night. When you have made it through Matthew move on to Mark, then Luke, then John and so on, until you’ve read through the whole New Testament. After reading one chapter in the New Testament, pray one Psalm a night beginning with Psalm 1 and work your way through the whole book of Psalms. Conclude with prayers for your own family, prayers for other’s needs, and the Lord’s Prayer. Conclude with a hymn because singing makes the heart glad and drives out the devil (I Samuel 16). When you have made it through the New Testament or the Psalms, begin again. Repetition is the mother of learning, and God knows how much we need to hear his Word constantly. God grant his grace and mercy to your efforts.

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Pastor Marcus Williams

St. Paul Lutheran Church, Havre

Zion Lutheran Church, Chinook