We are blessed to have the following introduction to a valuable resource for nurturing the faith in the home. At our request, Pastor Philip Hoppe writes:
LivingPlanted.com is a website run by two Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod pastors, myself and Pr. Dan Galchutt, who desire to help believers live out the Christian Life at Home.
We suggest that in each home, there should be a time together each day to:
• read the Scriptures
• pray
• sing
• memorize texts
We have various resources, but our core resource is called A Simple Guide to Daily Devotions. Each week a portion of Martin’s Luther Small Catechism is assigned for the home to memorize that week. All of the other items assigned for the week are chosen to correspond to the theme brought forth by the Small Catechism.
We are thankful to see more emphasis being placed upon the use of the Catechism in the home. We seek to specifically help those leading devotions in the home to have an easy way to begin that does not require much thought before the time of devotions begin in the home.
With our core resource, a copy of Lutheran Service Book and a Bible, one has everything they need for a year’s worth of devotions in the home. Best of all, our core resource is free and can be downloaded and then printed off from our website.
You can also keep in contact with us through our Facebook page and on Twitter.
The resource includes a Memory Work and Hymns Chart illustrated below. You can see how easy it is to follow:
Here are questions and answers in the resource: “A Simple Approach to Daily Devotions.”
Why do daily devotions?
The Scriptures make it very clear that parents are to teach the faith to their children. Deuteronomy 6:6-7, “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”
How are we to approach this task?
Our faith should be evident to our children as they watch us, talk to us, and play with us. However, regular time must also be set aside daily specifically aimed at passing along the faith to them. In this time, we read together, pray together, memorize together, and sing together. This ensures that all family members participate in the time of Daily Prayer.
Who should lead this time of Daily Prayer?
God’s Word teaches us that fathers and husbands are given the responsibility of bringing up their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. If they are not present or willing, mothers are called by God to lead her children. Daily Prayer is essential to a Christian’s life and faith.
Why this resource?
This short resource was created to make leading Daily Prayer as easy as possible. With this, your Bible, and your hymnal (Lutheran Service Book), you are ready to start.
What should I do first?
First, you will need to choose a time of the day to do devotions that works best for your family. We suggest at the beginning or end of the day. Guard this time.
What now?
Get out your Bible, your hymnal and review the chart inside this resource. Then go to the back of this resource for step by step instructions. Start the habit of daily prayer today. Whenever you start, start with week one on the chart.
What happens when I forget?
Confess your sins to Jesus, receive his forgiveness, and he will raise you up to new life. Walk in that newness of life as you return to your habit of daily prayer. You may also find someone your trust and ask them to encourage you in this habit.