HOUSE VISITATION

What to speak about on house visitation.

Part V

There must be an inquiry concerning prayers in the house and the reading of God’s Word. The father shall be asked if he leads in prayer. This matter often requires much admonition. But one must not hesitate to point out the necessity of fulfilling this task to the father, again and again. Against the objections that he has not freedom of prayer, one can reply that the prayers don’t have to be long or beautifully worded, but simple and in earnest, laying the needs before the Lord. Insist that the father begins with it, be it with the Lord’s prayer or another formulated prayer, and then slowly beginning to say it in his own words and add the needs of the family. Also inquiry must be made after the regular reading of the Word of God. Here too, there are often many shortcomings. Assure yourselves that every member of the family has his own Bible, and recommend, whenever the Bible is read, that everyone uses his own Bible and with close attention follows what is being read.

Home catechism shall also be discussed. In most families this is not done anymore. Many are satisfied that their children attend a christian school and church catechism. But then they are forgetting that which they have promised in baptism: To teach and bring the children up in the teachings of God’s Word and the meaning of their Baptism or cause them to be instructed therein, to the utmost of our power. The lack of knowledge about which there are many complaints, is not so surprising if the instruction of God’s Word is kept to a single hour of catechism, and even then few parents check to see if the children know their lessons. Our fathers valued catechism highly; so highly that it was discussed even at the synod of Dordt 1618–1619. In the 17th session there is mention of the duties of parents with regards to catechism. The following was decided upon: The duty of the parents is that they at home most diligently are to teach their children, and also those that live with them, and are entrusted to them in the basics of the Christian faith. At the end it states, If there are some parents confessing the Reformed faith that are found lacking in this holy duty, they shall then with grave warnings of the ministers, or if the case requires it, through censure by the consistory, be brought to this their neglected duty.

Voetius also gives some advice for when the parents bring forward the excuse that they themselves have too little knowledge. He shows them how in the most simple way they can begin with it. For instance he suggests, let the children say their questions which they have to learn for Catechism on Sunday night, or read the chapter from which the minister has preached, as well as the Heidelberg Catechism that was explained that Sunday. Through these activities the sermons will probably be better remembered.

Next the family must be asked what kind of literature they are reading. Often this is not looked into sufficiently. The bad reading material is so damaging. It has already poisoned so many families and persons. We think not only of the plainly wicked, ungodly books and magazines, but also the so called Christian reading material. These can do so much damage, because in a veiled way all kinds of errors are brought forth. We must, as the fathers of old, also warn against this danger during house visitation. And as our fathers warned so seriously against bad reading material, can we then neglect to warn against the ruinous, corrupt influences of radio and T.V.? This evil is even worse than the evil done by bad reading material.

A discussion about the schools the children attend is also in order. It is the father’s duty to send his children to a good christian school if this is at all possible. Are there children living away from home? Does the father know whether those children faithfully go to church and catechism? And in what places they spend their time?

Another question is, is there peace with each other among the family members and with their neighbors? What about the personal relations to the Lord’s Supper? If they are not partakers they must be asked, why? And if they do partake, it must be asked “what fruit has it left behind?” Out of this can be born a good spiritual conversation. There shall be asked if there is a faithful sincere relationship with the congregation and a faithful church attendance not only on Sundays but also during the week. Are the societies attended? Here a word of exhortation is often necessary. Inquire what the fruit of their being in the Church on the Lord’s Day has been and ask, did the teaching of catechism to the children bring forth fruit? This, of course, can give cause for a fruitful discussion. Urge that with sincere fellowship they be active in everything regarding church life. Also an urging to attend to all the privileges afforded by the membership, but also the duties it brings with it; as for instance, the coming to the membership meetings. One question that must not be forgotten is, whether or not “The Saambinder”, “The Banner of Truth” and other papers dealing with our church life are read. These papers should be read in every family of the congregation. A good habit is for the consistory to give newly weds a subscription to the Banner of Truth so that they can become acquainted with it. Later they must be urged to personally subscribe to it. There must be spoken of daily life. If it is known that there are certain sins, such as making of debts, misuse of strong drink or worldly desires, then do not hesitate to speak frankly and to the point about these things. And because each house visitation is soul visitation, the personal relationship to God must not be ignored. It is a sad fact that so little assurance of faith is found. Often the reason is that there is no light about the way of salvation. Here instruction out of God’s Word is necessary. But there are also hypocrites. Therefore warnings against self deceit as well as against not acknowledging God’s work are necessary. Of course, everything cannot nor must be done all in one visit, so a second and third visit may be advisable as to come to speak of the things that were not dealt with rightly in the first visit. For this reason it is good to make some notes of the visit. These notes will also be useful for the reports that must be made regularly of the obtained experience at the consistory meetings.

(to be continued)

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