Family Worship Guide

Scripture Reading:
‍#1 Be gracious to me, O Lord, for to you do I cry all the day. Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you. (Psalm 86:3-5)

#2 God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Rom. 5:8).

Prayer of Praise: Refer to the verses above and hymn below.

Hymn:‍ How Great Thou Art

Reading of the Law: Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (James 3:13-18)

Silent Confession of Sin/Confession of Sin: Lord Jesus, we have sinned times without number, and been guilty of pride and unbelief, and of neglect to seek you in our daily lives. Our sins and shortcomings present us with a list of accusations, but we thank you that they will not stand against us, for all have been laid on Christ. Deliver us from every evil habit, every interest of former sins, everything that dims the brightness of your grace in us, everything that prevents us taking delight in you. Amen.

Reading of the Gospel: If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared. (Psalm 130:3-4)

Westminster Larger Catechism - Questions 16-20

Question #16

Q. How did God create angels?

A. God created all the angels spirits, immortal, holy, excelling in knowledge, mighty in power, to execute his commandments, and to praise his name, yet subject to change.

Col. 1:16; Ps. 104:4; Matt. 22:30; Matt. 25:31; 2 Sam. 14:17; Matt. 24:36; 2 Thess. 1:7; Ps. 103:20-21; 2 Pet. 2:4.

Question #17

Q. How did God create man?

A. After God had made all other creatures, he created man, male and female; formed the body of the man of the dust of the ground, and the woman of the rib of the man; endued them with living, reasonable, and immortal souls; made them after his own image, in knowledge, righteousness and holiness, having the law of God written in their hearts and power to fulfill it, with dominion over the creatures; yet subject to fall.

Gen. 1:27; Gen. 2:7; Gen. 2:22; Gen. 2:7; Job 35:11; Ecc. 12:7; Matt. 10:28; Luke 23:43; Gen. 1:27; Col. 3:10; Eph. 4:24; Rom. 2:14-15; Ecc. 7:29; Gen. 1:28; Gen. 3:6; Ecc. 7:29.

Question #18

Q. What are God’s works of providence?

A. God’s works of providence are his most holy, wise, and powerful preserving, and governing all his creatures; ordering them, and all their actions, to his own glory.

Ps. 145:17; Ps. 104:24; Isa. 28:29; Heb. 1:3; Ps. 103:19; Matt. 10:29-31; Gen. 45:7; Rom. 11:36; Isa. 63:14.

Question #19

Q. What is God’s providence toward the angels?

A. God by his providence permitted some of the angels, willfully and irrecoverably, to fall into sin and damnation, limiting and ordering that, and all their sins, to his own glory; and established the rest in holiness and happiness; employing them all, at his pleasure, in the administrations of his power, mercy, and justice.

Jude 1:6; 2 Pet. 2:4; Heb. 2:16; John 8:44; Job 1:12; Matt. 8:31; 1 Tim. 5:21; Mark 8:38; Heb. 12:22; Ps. 104:4; 2 Kings 19:35; Heb. 1:14.

Question #20

Q. What was the providence of God toward man in the estate in which he was created?

A. The providence of God toward man in the estate in which he was created, was the placing him in paradise, appointing him to dress it, giving him liberty to eat of the fruit of the earth; putting the creatures under his dominion, and ordaining marriage for his help; affording him communion with Himself; instituting the Sabbath; entering into a covenant of life with him, upon condition of personal, perfect, and perpetual obedience, of which the tree of life was a pledge; and forbidding to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, upon the pain of death.

Gen. 2:8, 15-16; Gen. 1:28; Gen. 2:18; Gen. 1:26-29; Gen. 3:8; Gen. 2:3; Gal. 3:12; Rom. 10:5; Gen. 2:9, 17.

Prayer of Thanksgiving: Thank God for his promises that will come true and for his steadfast love that endures forever.

Prayer of Supplication Supplication: Ask God for his Spirit to work in your heart so you can better love your neighbor as yourself and to show mercy and grace to those you know.

Bible reading and commentary: 2 Corinthians 12:11-21

Paul seems nearly at his wits end in trying to win over the Corinthians. But it is precisely at this point where Paul seems on the verge of lashing out at them that we find him overflowing in love. He makes himself a fool for the sake of those who have so quickly abandoned him (v 11). By default, he must carry the burden that he chooses not to place on them (v 14). Rather than ask them to cover his expenses, he is glad to spend and be spent for their souls (v 15). He does not want to take advantage of those who have taken advantage of him (v 17). He desires the building up of the very people who have torn him down (v 18-19). This is nothing short of the sacrificial love of Christ working itself out in Paul’s life. He is passing on to the Corinthians exactly what he has received from Jesus.

Like Paul, we are better able to see the paradoxes of the gospel when we have nothing to which we can cling. We are comforted in affliction, made strong through weakness, and become more concerned with the actual needs of others. When the gospel is at work in our hearts, we can respond to conflict with a sacrificial heart that seeks to carry the burdens of the burdened and build up those who have sought to destroy us. This should remind us of what Jesus said: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30). We should be doing the same for others.

Closing Hymn: The Doxology

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise him, all creatures here below; Praise him above, ye heav’nly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Closing Scripture: In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame (1 Pet. 3:15-16).

The Lord’s Prayer (together):

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen