Taste and see that the Lord is good” (Ps. 34:8). Have you ever thought how the Lord might “taste”? By feasting on the Word of God, we come to know God better and, in the process, find ourselves filled and satisfied.
While all might agree that spending time with Jesus is important, many don’t. As Marcos Paseggi explained (see p. 18), while we wouldn’t think of eating only once a week, that’s exactly what we do with worship. When worship is neglected, the effect can be no different than skipping a meal. We become weak without food and drink. Without spiritual food, it’s the same.
Family worship is an important part of a “spiritual diet” whether we are single or a part of an intergenerational family. As we build the habit of daily spending time in worship, we also grow in our relationship with Jesus.
As we build the habit of daily spending time in worship, we also grow in our relationship with Jesus.
Between 1999 and 2005 Adventist Review published a family worship column called Tuesday’s Child. The idea was to encourage family worship once a week. We’ve prepared a sample week of daily family worships—Sunday through Friday. On Sabbath we encourage attendance at a church near you. Six stories have been adapted from Tuesday’s Child. While geared toward families with children, we’re suggesting everyone can benefit from these lessons. Discussion questions are included for all age groups. Using all the elements provided should take about 10 minutes a day. Find the best time and try this spiritual meal plan. After this week, look for a devotional or select a Bible book to continue your own daily worship plan.
Day 1
Scripture Reading: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isa. 41:10).
Prayer: If alone, pray silently or aloud. If with others, select someone to pray.
Song: Choose a praise song, hymn, or children’s Sabbath School song. If you need a suggestion, try “Stand Like the Brave” (The Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal, no. 610).1
Sardines and Spiders2
By Bonnie Walker
Nine-year-old Jessica eyed a large hole that Flash, Grandpa’s dog, had dug under the foundation behind the barn.
H’mmm, that’s a neat place to hide, she thought, peering into the gloomy entrance.
Jessica was able to visit her grandparents often, but her cousins lived far away. She looked forward to the times they got together once or twice a year.
Today the old house fairly burst with cousins, aunts, and uncles. As the evening began to cool, the children begged, “Can we play ‘Sardines’ like last time, Grandpa?”
“Please,” pleaded Jessica. “Can Betty and I hide first?”
“Why not?” Grandpa agreed. “Come on, everyone,” he said to all the cousins, including their parents.
Everyone went where they wouldn’t see where the two girls hid. After three minutes they’d come looking for them. If someone found them, they were to hide with them until everyone was in the same place—packed like sardines in a can. The last two to find the hiding spot would be “it” for the next game.
Jessica ran for the red barn. “Where are you going?” Betty asked.
“Wait and see,” laughed Jessica. She pushed aside the weeds at the back of the barn and scrambled down into the cool darkness under the building.
“You know the best places,” Betty whispered. “They won’t find us here.”
Several times people came and searched, but they never found the children.
As their eyes grew accustomed to the dim light, Betty saw movement just above the opening. “Is that a humongous spider?” she asked.
The creature’s shiny black body was about as big as a fat pea, and with its legs extended it would be about 1.5 inches across. She remembered a spider Grandpa had shown her once. “That’s a black widow spider,” he had pointed out. “Give them their space. They’re poisonous.”
Jessica knew that in “Sardines” people would have to squeeze past that spider. She grabbed a large tin can nearby. Then she crept forward and clapped it over the spider, holding it tightly.
After a long time the two girls heard the whole family approaching the barn. “We give up,” Grandpa called. “None of us can find you.”
“Down here,” they shouted.
Soon Grandpa rescued them. “You did the right thing about the spider, Jessica,” he said. “If someone had disturbed it, it may have bitten them.”
Jessica cringed. “I’ve had enough of Sardines and spiders to last me a long time,” she said.
Questions/Activities
With small children: Talk about the spider and why one should be careful around them and other insects. In simple terms, tell how God protects us from danger. Pray that God will protect the family this day.
With middle schoolers or teenagers: Talk about Jessica’s courage. Would they be able to do the same? Where did she find her courage? How does protecting others give us more courage? Make a list of Bible characters with courage.
Adults: What scripture can you read, or Bible story can you remember, in which God protected His people, and the people demonstrated courage? How can you practice courage today?
Closing Prayer
Day 2
Scripture Reading “Love suffers long and is kind” (1 Cor. 13:4).
Prayer
Song: “’Tis Love That Makes Us Happy” (The Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal, no. 579).
She Who Can Do No Wrong3
By Bonnie Walker
Is that a diary under the edge of her bed? Melissa wondered. She’d just brought some clean laundry to her younger sister Rita’s bedroom. Mom and Dad were at work, and Rita was spending the day with a friend. What a temptation!
Melissa had been jealous of her little sister all her life. Melissa was 15, and Rita, 10, but Melissa never forgot the day Rita came home from the hospital. Suddenly the spotlight was off her and focused on “she who can do no wrong.”
After Rita was born, it seemed Melissa was always competing for her parents’ approval.
I wonder what she writes about me in that diary, Melissa thought. Maybe I’ll even find something bad she did that I could tell my parents about—then maybe they won’t think she’s such a Goody Two-shoes. Melissa didn’t even consider whether looking into Rita’s diary was wrong.
Picking up the blue book, Melissa began turning the pages, searching for her name or some information she could use against her sister.
Melissa suddenly felt sick as she read page after page of things Rita had written. “I really wish I could be like Melissa,” Rita wrote. “She knows what to do all the time. She is so smart.” And further along: “Melissa is so pretty, and everyone likes her. I wish I were like Melissa.”
She wants to be like me, Melissa thought.
This was worse than Melissa could have imagined. Rita looked up to her. Suddenly Melissa realized she had spent 10 years finding fault in someone who loved her.
Quietly she put the book back under the edge of the bed and began to think about her relationship with Rita. She wanted to get to know her better. But first she’d start with a note of apology.
Questions/Activities
With small children: Find an object that must be treated gently and with permission. Talk about the fact that sometimes we must not touch and need to obey. Jesus also has rules to keep us safe. We obey because we love Jesus.
With middle schoolers or teenagers: Was it OK for Melissa to open and read the diary? Are there times reading something someone has kept private is OK to read or share? Read 2 Kings 22:8-10. How is this different from what Melissa did?
Adults: Sometimes we judge people without knowing their true motives. Have you ever been jealous of someone? Send a note or email to someone today telling them how they have been a positive influence in your life.
Closing Prayer
Day 3
Scripture Reading:
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12).
Prayer
Song: “When He Cometh” (The Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal, no. 218).
The Family Tree4
By Edna May Olsen
Jay rushed back from the mailbox. “A letter from Grandma!” he shouted.
“Grandma sent a copy of our family tree,” Mother said. “She wants us to add you and your sister to it.”
“What’s a family tree?” asked Cheryl.
“Let me explain it,” said Mother as she spread the paper on the table.
“It’s a list of the members of a family comparing it to a tree with branches,” Mother said.
“Our family tree starts with Samuel Ward, up here.” She pointed to the top branches of what looked like a tree. “Now, here,” she said, pointing to the next branch, “it shows that Samuel married Anne Heywood, and they had five children. One of their children was Frances, my grandmother.”
“And my grandmother married Jacob Frost, and they had seven children.” She traced another branch of the tree. “One of those children was Elizabeth, my mother and your grandmother.”
Dad came to see what they were doing. “I can tell you about another family tree,” he said. He opened his Bible to Matthew 1:1 and read: “ ‘The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham.’ ”
“Genealogy is another word for ‘family tree,’ ” he explained. “In Bible times family background was important. That’s why the Bible lists the genealogy of Jesus, starting with Abraham, the father of Isaac, the father of Jacob, and all the way to Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus.” Then he turned to Luke 3. “Here is another family tree. This one goes back to Adam, ‘the son of God.’ ”
“But the best part,” smiled Mom, “is that those who love Jesus are part of God’s family. We’re part of His family tree!”
Questions/Activities
With small children: Show them pictures of them, their parents, and their grandparents. Tell them how you are all family and love each other. There is someone else who is part of the family too. Jesus loves them even more! Sing “Happy, Happy Home,” being sure to end “With Jesus in the family, happy, happy home.”
With middle schoolers or teenagers: Can they name their ancestors? How far back can they go? Why do they think Jesus has two family trees? Compare Matthew 1 and Luke 3. How are they different? [Answer: It was important to demonstrate that Jesus was descended from David. In Matthew 1 His family tree is through Joseph, and Luke 3 is thought to be His family tree through Mary. Jesus was a double Son of David!]
Adults: Study the family trees in Matthew 1 and Luke 3. Where are the differences? What does it mean for you to be part of God’s family? What will you do today to make your Father proud?
Closing Prayer
Day 4
Scripture Reading: “Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it” (Gen. 2:15).
Prayer
Song: “This Is My Father’s World” (The Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal, no. 92).
Pharaoh5
By Bonnie Walker
Mom always thinks she knows best,” grumbled Sierra, pushing the garage door open. “Pharaoh,” she called. Why do we always have to lock that dog up when we go to school? He never gets lost.
“Pharaoh,” she called again. But no dog came running. “Well, I’m just going to let him be. I can’t go chasing around the neighborhood looking for that dog,” Sierra said. She closed the door and ran to get her school bag. “Goodbye, Mom,” she called.
The school day passed quickly, and soon Sierra was home. H’mmm, Pharaoh usually barks. Where can he be? she wondered as she looked in the garage.
A note from Mom explained she had come home and found that Pharaoh was not in the garage, where she thought Sierra had put him. She had taken the car and was driving around the neighborhood.
“I’ve driven everywhere, and didn’t see any sign of him,” Mom said. “We may have to call the animal shelter.”
The next day Mother phoned the shelter. “We’re looking for our German shepherd. He’s been gone since yesterday.”
“We have a shepherd here. This one looks so sad, and he cried all night.”
Soon they were on their way to the shelter. They were greeted by Pharaoh’s happy barking. Pharaoh jumped into the front seat beside Mom. All the way home he whimpered and moaned. Sometimes he laid his muzzle on Mom’s shoulder.
Sierra sat in the back feeling guilty. What a lot of expense and worry to everyone. Even Pharaoh. To think that a dog could show that much feeling! She knew it was her fault, too. Leaning forward, Sierra patted Pharaoh’s head. “I’m sorry, boy,” she said.
Questions/Activities
With small children: If you have a pet, practice holding or petting it. If no pet, try a stuffed animal. Talk about Jesus, who made the animals, and how we must be kind.
With middle schoolers or teenagers: What different and sadder ending could this have had for Pharaoh? Why is it important to be kind to animals? Read the story of Balaam and the donkey (Num. 22:22-35).
Adults: What can you do to help God’s creation? It might be supporting the environment, putting out water for bees, peanuts for squirrels, or picking up trash on the side of the road.
Closing Prayer
Day 5
Scripture Reading: “And the Lord restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends” (Job 42:10).
Prayer
Song: “I Need the Prayers” (The Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal, no. 505).
What About Me?6
By Bonnie Walker
It was Sabbath morning, and Ben’s family was rushing to get ready for church.
“We’re invited to lunch at the Clarks,” Mom said. “Pastor and Mrs. Lennox will be there too. I want you to bring play clothes for the afternoon.”
Just then Dad came into the living room. He didn’t always go to church, but today he was all dressed up.
After church Ben’s brother grabbed his arm. “Remember your manners at the Clarks,” he reminded him.
It was raining after lunch, so they went into the living room. Pastor Lennox told stories of when he was a young pastor. His stories were exciting. Then Ben’s dad began telling his story, including his struggle to stop smoking.
“Will you pray for me, Pastor Lennox?” asked Dad.
Pastor Lennox read Philippians 4:13, a promise that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Then the group knelt in a circle and held hands. Pastor Lennox began to pray as if he were talking to his best friend. He asked God to be with Ben’s family and to give Ben’s dad strength to overcome.
While the pastor prayed, Ben remembered that he had a temper sometimes. Ben wanted God to bless him, too. During prayer Ben peeked at Pastor Lennox. He looked so happy and so sure that God would help his dad. “What about me?” Ben said out loud. His sister poked him for being rude.
Elder Lennox paused and opened his eyes. He looked right at Ben and smiled. Closing his eyes, he continued to pray. He then prayed for Ben byname. Ben never forgot that moment. It was just as if Ben was lifted right to God’s throne and God smiled at him.
Questions/Activities
With small children: Compare talking to Jesus with talking to our friends and family. Maybe call someone and talk with them on the phone. Then teach them to talk to Jesus the same way. Help them to kneel, fold their hands, and close their eyes. Lead them in a simple prayer.
With middle schoolers or teenagers: What does it mean to pray for others? Why did Ben feel good about the pastor praying for him? Create a list of people to pray for. Include these names in the closing prayer.
Adults: Intercessory prayer is important. Create a list of others to pray for through the rest of the week. How do you feel when someone prays for you?
Closing Prayer
Day 6
Scripture Reading: “He calms the storm, so that its waves are still” (Ps. 107:29).
Prayer
Song: “A Shelter in the Time of Storm” (The Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal, no. 528).
In the Middle of a Storm7
By Bonnie Walker
It was a hot July afternoon in Alberta, Canada. Laurene could see her dad hammering shingles on the new shed for their cows.
Laurene was glad to be done picking berries. Helping her mom lift the last crate of strawberries onto the truck, she had an idea. “Mom,” Laurene begged, “may we have a sleepover tonight and invite Helen and Esther?”
“Pleeeeease,” chimed in her sisters, Ruthi and Evie.
“I suppose,” said Mom, smiling at the three expectant faces. “You’ve all been a big help.”
After supper Uncle Art brought her two cousins over. They had fun setting up the trailer. On top of the trailer was a tentlike structure. Poles held up the roof, and the sides flopped out to form narrow beds on each side.
Finally the five girls and Laurene’s dog climbed through the tent flap. “Evie, you sleep on the floor with Mitzie,” Laurene said. “Helen can sleep with me on this side, and Ruthi and Esther can sleep on that side.”
Splat, splatter, splat! “Rain!” exclaimed Ruthi. The girls laughed and told stories until they were lulled to sleep by the wind and rain.
Suddenly the wind became gusty, moving the tent sides up and down. Laurene dreamed she was flying across the road. The wind woke Dad, who quickly hurried outside to move the big grain truck closer to the trailer to protect it from the wind.
Suddenly a mighty gust lifted the sides of the camper. Both sides folded in, dumping the four bigger girls on top of Evie and Mitzie. “Help!” screamed the girls.
Laurene knew she must unzip the flap. She fumbled for the zipper. Mitzie found the bottom of the zipper and nosed her way out, with the girls close behind. “Bend low,” Dad shouted. “Run for the cab of the truck.”
When all six people and the dog were safely in the truck, they watched lightning flash in the sky. A big sheet of plywood flew through the air and cut into the side of the garage as if it were slicing cheese. Shingles and more plywood blew past. Finally the storm subsided enough for the family to run for the house.
“Jesus sent the angels to help us,” said Ruthi.
Questions/Activities
With small children: Go to a dark room and turn the lights on. Talk about how safe it feels when we can see. Then turn the lights off. Allow the darkness to have its effect and then turn the lights back on. Explain that Jesus is like the light. He’s with us even if it is dark, and keeps us safe.
With middle schoolers or teenagers: Why are storms scary? Compare a storm to life and sin that has entered the world. Read how Jesus calms the storm (Luke 8:23-25). What keeps us safe during the storms of life?
Adults: What storms have you encountered? Compare weather storms to our problems. What can we learn from coping with a storm that allows us to feel at peace when assaulted by life?
Closing Prayer
1 Visit sdahymnals.com for music and lyrics. Even young children can learn the refrains of some hymns.
2 Adventist Review, October 2003, p. 10.
3 Adventist Review, July 17, 2003, p. 29.
4 Adventist Review, July 10, 2003, p. 16.
5 Adventist Review, November 2002, p. 106.
6 Adventist Review, Aug. 21, 2003, p. 17.
7 Adventist Review, Aug. 15, 2002, p. 17.