Book: Raising Giants – Study Guide: Chapter 4
- Dr. Layne McDonald
- Jun 11
- 7 min read
"But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." , Joshua 24:15
The Weight of the Mantle: Why This Study Guide Matters
Welcome to the companion study guide for Chapter 4 of Raising Giants. If you have reached this point, you have already encountered the high-stakes reality of modern parenting: we are not just raising children; we are raising the next generation of Kingdom warriors. In the previous chapter, we discussed the "Silent Giant", the cultural drift that seeks to pull our children away from the heartbeat of God. In Chapter 4, we shift from defense to offense. We move from identifying the threat to establishing the fortress.
This fortress is not built with stone and mortar, nor is it defended by physical walls. It is the Family Altar.
The term "Family Altar" may sound archaic to some, or perhaps it conjures images of a rigid, formal liturgy that feels out of place in a modern living room filled with laundry and homework. However, the Family Altar is simply the intentional space where a family stops their horizontal movement through the world to have a vertical encounter with their Creator. It is the moment where the busyness of the day bows to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
In this guide, we are going to dive deep into the "how-to" of home discipleship. We aren't looking for perfection; we are looking for presence. Whether you feel like a spiritual giant or a trembling beginner, this guide is designed to give you the practical, biblical, and actionable tools needed to lead your family with confidence.
Section 1: The Biblical Foundation – Mapping the Shema
Before we look at how to do family worship, we must understand why God commanded it. The two pillars of family discipleship in the Bible are Joshua 24 and Deuteronomy 6. These are not mere suggestions; they are the architectural plans for a godly lineage.
In Deuteronomy 6, we find the Shema, the central prayer of the Jewish faith. But notice the context: after declaring that "The Lord our God, the Lord is one," God immediately pivots to the family. He tells the parents that these words must be on their hearts first, and then they must teach them diligently to their children.
The Shema Strategy (Deuteronomy 6:4-9):
Sitting at Home: This represents the intentional, structured moments. This is the Family Altar. It is the "anchor" of the day.
Walking the Path: This represents the "teachable moments" in the car, at the grocery store, or during sports practice. It is discipleship in motion.
Lying Down: This is the evening wind-down, where hearts are soft and the day's events are processed through a biblical lens.
Rising Up: This is the morning reset, dedicating the new day to the Lord before the world begins its clamor for attention.
Discussion Question: Look at the "Shema Strategy" diagram above. Which of these four paths currently feels the most neglected in your home? Why do you think that is?
In Joshua 24:15, we see the public declaration of this internal reality. Joshua wasn't just making a personal choice; he was making a "house" choice. He understood that as the head of his home, his leadership set the spiritual climate for everyone under his roof. To "Raise Giants," we must first be parents who are willing to stand in the gap and say, "The world may go one way, but my house is going the Way of the Word."
Section 2: The 10-Minute Blueprint – A Practical Plan
The biggest reason families fail to maintain a "Family Altar" is that they make it too complicated. They think they need a 45-minute sermon, a worship leader, and a theology degree. In reality, the most effective family worship is brief, regular, and sincere.
We recommend the "RTPS" Model: Read, Talk, Pray, Sing. This can be accomplished in as little as ten minutes, making it sustainable even for the busiest households.
1. READ (3 Minutes)
Don't try to read three chapters. Pick a short passage, usually 5 to 10 verses. Use a readable translation like the ESV or NLT. If you have very young children, use a high-quality Jesus-centered storybook Bible. The goal is to get the Word into the room.
Tip: Let a different child read each night to increase engagement.
2. TALK (3 Minutes)
This isn't a lecture. It’s a conversation. Ask two or three "open-ended" questions.
"What did we learn about God’s character in these verses?"
"Is there a command to obey or a promise to believe?"
"How does this change the way we treat our friends at school tomorrow?"
3. PRAY (2 Minutes)
Keep it simple. You can do "popcorn prayer" where everyone says one sentence of thanks. Or you can use the "ACTS" model (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication). The point is to model that God is approachable and listening.
4. SING (2 Minutes)
This is the part most families skip because they feel "awkward." Don't skip it! Singing bypasses the intellect and goes straight to the spirit. It doesn't have to be a full hymn; it can be a simple chorus or a song you heard at church on Sunday. If you aren't comfortable leading, use a curated playlist of worship songs.
Family Exercise: Try the RTPS model tonight. Don't worry if the toddler is crawling under the table or the teenager looks bored. Plant the seed anyway.
Section 3: Identifying the Goliaths – Overcoming the Obstacles
If family worship were easy, everyone would do it. The truth is, there are spiritual and physical "Goliaths" that will stand in your way the moment you decide to be intentional. Recognizing them is the first step to defeating them.
1. The Time Thief: The most common excuse is "we don't have time." But we always have time for what we value. If we have time for Netflix, social media, or extracurricular sports, we have ten minutes for the Eternal King.
Strategy: Schedule it. Put it on the family calendar just like a doctor's appointment.
2. The Screen Giant: The average home is filled with digital noise. It is hard to hear the "still small voice" of God when the television is blaring or everyone is looking at a phone.
Strategy: Create a "Digital Sabbath" during family worship. All devices go in a basket in another room.
3. The Feeling of Inadequacy: Many parents feel they aren't "holy" enough or "smart" enough to lead. They worry their kids will ask a question they can't answer.
Strategy: Be humble. If a child asks a question you don't know, say, "That's a great question! I don't know the answer, but let's look it up together this week." Your kids don't need a professor; they need a parent who is pursuing Jesus.
4. The Busy Schedule: Between work, school, and sports, the family is often pulled in a dozen directions.
Strategy: It doesn't have to be at 7:00 PM every night. If Tuesday morning works better, do it then. Consistency is better than perfection.
Reflect: Which "Goliath" is the loudest in your home right now? How can you apply a "five-stone" strategy (Scripture, Prayer, Persistence, Humility, and Action) to take it down?
Section 4: Creating the Atmosphere – The Power of Presence
Family worship is not just about the information shared; it is about the atmosphere created. When you gather, you are signaling to your children that God is the most important guest in your home. You are creating a "thin place" where the kingdom of heaven touches your living room floor.
To create a spiritually hopeful and peaceful environment, consider these tips:
Be Warm, Not Rigid: This shouldn't feel like a courtroom. It should feel like a family feast. Use soft lighting, sit comfortably, and let there be room for laughter.
Validate Emotions: If a child is having a hard day, let the family worship reflect that. Pray for their specific anxiety or hurt.
Connect to Reality: Show how the Bible applies to the specific culture they are facing. If they are dealing with a bully, look at how Jesus responded to His enemies.
The Power of Touch: End your time by laying hands on your children and speaking a blessing over them, just as the patriarchs did. There is immense spiritual power in a parent’s blessing.
Section 5: The Covenant Table – Your Family Commitment
The final step in this chapter’s study is to move from intention to covenant. A covenant is a binding promise. Joshua didn't say he hoped to serve the Lord; he declared it.
Use the worksheet below to sit down with your family and draft your own "Raising Giants" commitment. This is a visible reminder that your home is a territory claimed for Christ.
The Commitment Exercise:
Define Your "Why": Why does our family want to serve God?
Pick a Core Verse: Choose one verse that represents your family's mission (e.g., Joshua 24:15, Matthew 6:33, or Psalm 127:1).
Determine the Rhythm: When will we meet? How often?
Sign the Covenant: Let everyone, even the little ones (with a drawing), sign the paper. Post it in a central place, the fridge, the front door, or the hallway.
Conclusion: The Long Game of Discipleship
Raising giants is a marathon, not a sprint. There will be nights when family worship feels like a total failure, where the kids argue, you lose your temper, and nothing seems "spiritual." Do not let the enemy use those moments to make you quit.
Consistency is the greatest teacher. Over years of 10-minute prayers and short Bible readings, you are building a foundation that the storms of life cannot shake. You are showing your children that through every season, the highs and the lows, God is the constant.
You were chosen by God to be the primary disciple-maker for your children. He didn't make a mistake when He gave them to you. He has provided everything you need through His Word and His Spirit. Now, go and lead.
Takeaway: Your home is the most important "church" your children will ever attend. The Family Altar is where their faith moves from something they hear about to something they witness.
Practical Action Step: Tonight, before bed, gather your family. Even if you only have five minutes. Read five verses. Pray one prayer. Start the journey.
About the Author: Layne McDonald, Ph.D.
Layne McDonald, Ph.D., is a dedicated husband, father, and minister within the Assemblies of God. With a background in pastoral leadership and biblical studies, Dr. McDonald is passionate about equipping the local church and the modern family with tools that are doctrinally sound and practically applicable. His work focuses on the intersection of biblical truth, cultural discernment, and emotional healing. Dr. McDonald believes that the greatest mission field in the world is the one found within the four walls of our own homes. Through his writing and teaching, he seeks to help parents move from fear-based parenting to faith-based leadership, ensuring that the next generation is prepared to stand firm on the Word of God.
What if the giant you are most afraid of is actually the one God has already given you the power to defeat?
Support Our Mission If this resource has blessed you, please consider supporting our ministry so we can continue to provide high-quality Christian resources to families and churches worldwide. Give to Layne McDonald Ministries
Comments