Beginning: Family Worship in Genesis
Christians are counter-cultural: our primary goal should not be to raise intelligent, successful, competent, and upright citizens, our primary concern ought to be for the good of our children’s souls - and so for God’s glory.
Teaching our children the Scriptures in a compelling, relevant, and holistic manner during daily family worship is one of the chief means we can achieve this. If you need help to do that – this is the series for you! It’s a comprehensive guide for the entire family and particularly children between the ages of 5–12.
Using a unique Review/Read/Reflect/Request format, family worship has never been so fulfilling.
Contents
PART I: THE BEGINNING OF A WORLD (GENESIS 1–2)
1. In the Beginning, God
2. Our Triune Creator
3. The Light We See
4. The Air We Breathe
5. The Earth Beneath Our Feet
6. The Great Lights Above Us
7. The Animals We Love
8. Reflectors of God’s Glory
9. Kings Over God’s Creation
10. Rest from Our Labors
11. Clay in the Potter’s Hands
12. Priests in God’s House
13. The Choice of Life or Death
14. The First Marriage
15. Naked and Unashamed
PART II: THE BEGINNING OF A WAR (GENESIS 3–11)
16. Our Ancient Foe
17. Our Tragic Fall
18. Our Death in Adam
19. It’s Not My Fault!
20. A Promise of War
21. Our Pain in the Present
22. Clothed by Grace
23. Kicked Out of Eden
24. Family Bloodshed
25. God’s Promise Will Stand
26. Death is Not the Final Word
27. A Faith that Longs
28. Only Evil Continually
29. Judgement or Salvation
30. God’s Saving Provision
31. God Shut the Door
32. Floodwaters of Judgment
33. Remembered by God
34. A Sweet-Smelling Sacrifice
35. A New Adam
36. Redemption’s Stage
37. A Bow in the Clouds
38. Noah’s Failure
39. The God of Shem
40. A Troublesome Tower
PART III: THE BEGINNING OF A NATION (GENESIS 12–50)
41. Love Toward the Unlovely
42. A Blessed Trunk
43. A Believing Pilgrim
44. Famine in the Land
45. Lift Up Your Eyes
46. God Most High
47. A Faith that Justifies
48. A Covenant is Cut
49. Man-Made Salvation
50. The God Who Sees Me
51. Father of a Great Multitude
52. Blessing Via Curse
53. Unto You and Your Children
54. Help My Unbelief!
55. God with Us
56. The Just Judge of All the Earth
57. Escape for Your Life!
58. Delivered Yet Again
59. Unto Us a Child is Born
60. The Greatest Trial
61. A Ram Provided
62. A Permanent Inheritance
63. God’s Angel Will Go Before You
64. God Provides Once More
65. Finishing in Faith
66. Two Sons, Two Nations
67. Despising the Birthright
68. Like Father, Like Son
69. Deceived into Blessing
70. God’s Staircase
71. Humility Comes Hard
72. A Nation is Born
73. From Laban to Canaan
74. Wrestling with God
75. Brothers Reunited
76. A New Beginning
77. Funerals in the Promised Land
78. A Prince Among Brothers
79. From Royalty to Rags
80. Grace Breaking Through
81. A Dark Providence
82. Dreams from a Dungeon
83. Exalted by God
84. At Their Brother’s Feet
85. To Egypt Again
86. A Silver Cup, A Solemn Test
87. I Am Joseph!
88. Your Son is Alive!
89. Blessed Through Joseph
90. Our Home is Not in Egypt
91. The Lion of the Tribe of Judah
92. Finishing in Hope
Appendix: Remember: Bible and Catechetical Memorization During Family Worship
Endorsements
“Not many who write about family worship do so from the perspective of these writers. Joel Beeke, for example, was raised in a home where family worship was practiced from the time he was born. Then he raised a family of his own “in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” through family worship. Now his grandchildren enjoy the fruit of this influence, as do the men in his church whom he has trained to lead their families in the daily worship of God in their homes. And now you and your family can profit from these decades of experience and insight through this practical and helpful volume.” —Donald S. Whitney, professor of biblical spirituality and associate dean at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY. Author of Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, Praying the Bible, and Family Worship.
“Wonderfully written, theologically focused, pastorally sure-footed and all within the grasp of 5–12 year olds. A marvelous achievement for which parents will be ever thankful. May this series be instrumental in raising a generation of godly men and women who are biblically informed and eager to learn more of all that Scripture teaches.” —Derek W. H. Thomas, senior minister, First Presbyterian Church, Columbia SC
“What a brilliant aid for family devotions! Pastors Joel Beeke and Nick Thompson have found the sweet spot in this series. Both parents and children will be delighted, edified, and blessed by these books.” —Rosaria Butterfield, wife of Kent Butterfield, pastor of the First Reformed Presbyterian Church of Durham, North Carolina; and homeschooling mother and grandmother
About the Authors
Joel R. Beeke is president of Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary and a pastor of the Heritage Reformed Congregation in Grand Rapids
Nick Thompson is the pastor of Cornerstone Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he resides with his wife and three sons.
