Sharon and I just finished leading a small group of young marrieds. The following transcript was a part of our last talk. I thought you might benefit from it. I welcome your feedback.
I wanted to also talk about family spiritual disciplines or rhythms. Really these are personal habits that should flow over to each other and in the home. As you know The Disciple-Making Parent ministry is to help parents pass the gospel to their children. But that starts with bringing the gospel into our home with our spouse.
Let me suggest five different spiritual habits or rhythms that you can bring into your home that will bring blessing.
First, simply pray together. I’ve heard someone say that praying out loud is like learning a foreign language. At first, it seems awkward. But the more you practice it the more natural it gets. So fight through any awkwardness that you may have and pray together. A husband should initiate this as the spiritual leader. But wives, you also can and should initiate this. “Can we stop and pray about this?” should be said often in our homes.
When to pray? Pray in the middle of an argument. Pray when you need wisdom for a decision. Pray when you’re having a long-term disagreement that may not boil into conflict. Pray when you start a new year and you are thinking about plans for your family. Definitely pray at meals. I know one family that would invite their kids to their bed at night and pray. Grab your spouse’s hand and pray regularly.
Second, worship together. I know when I say this, I’m preaching to the choir. But a commitment to the local church and to worship together will bless your marriage. Getting your focus on the Lord and sitting under the authority of the Word will help you
Third, read and speak the Word together. We are to speak the Word to each other (Col. 3:16). How often do we speak scripture to each other in our homes? Put up scripture verses around the house. Eating together in the home is a prompt in my mind to think about opening up the Word. But you can make it a habit to read before going to bed. You could have a verse of the day. You could read a chapter of Scripture. You could text each other a verse. In one or two small ways, bring the Word into your home. Both husband and wife can and should initiate this.
Fourth, bring worship music into your home. It will lift the atmosphere of the home. My family did not have much music in our home when I was growing up. My parents weren’t musical and their focus was on other things. When Sharon and I were starting out, we decided we wanted music to fill our home. When our kids were young, we were especially diligent to start the day with worship music.
Finally, serve together. Serving others can also draw you closer together. Look for ways you can serve others in the church. Hospitality is a special way that Sharon and I have enjoyed ministering together.
So how will you practice spiritual disciplines like these with your spouse?
