The Art of Family Discipleship Part 1: Walking to Church
This is the first part of a series where we will take a look at families depicted in songs, paintings, films, and poetry and see how faith is portrayed in the home through art.
Today let’s take a look at one of my favorite paintings. This is Walking to Church by Norman Rockwell from 1953.
The Artist
Norman Rockwell (1894-1978) was an American painter who is most famous for his illustrations on the covers of the Saturday Evening Post and Boy’s Life. His art is known for its optimistic depictions of American life. He often addressed issues related to family, war, race, and religion. In his 84 years of life he produced more than 4,000 pieces of original art.
The Painting
Walking to Church was inspired by the painting View of Houses in Delft, a 1658 painting by Johannes Vermeer.
In the foreground, Rockwell placed a family in their “Sunday best” that is carrying their bibles and walking down a city street. In the background you can see the steeple of a church. The bell is visibly ringing and birds seem to be scattering from the sound.
The Story the Painting Tells
It’s amazing how much we can see in this one frame. Without a written explanation, you know what this family is doing and where they are going – to the end of the street and around the corner to worship. Psalm 119:105 ”Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
They are led by the youngest son. This is not the first time the family has gone this way. Their whole family is familiar enough with this route that even their youngest can lead them. If only the path to church was more familiar to all our children. Joel 1:3 “Tell your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children to another generation.”
Their city is asleep. Though the rest of the city has their shades drawn, this family is up and on their way to worship. Even if everyone else in our city has strayed from following God, let our family be committed to his worship no matter how weird that makes us seem. Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Their city is a mess. They are dressed well, but they pass through a city that looks like it is in desperate need of cleaning. We cannot be a Christian church if we are only in our church buildings shut out from the world around us. We must be part of what God is doing to reach and heal the mess of our cities. Jeremiah 29:7 “Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.”
They are dressed alike. While having a family uniform is certainly not a requirement to follow God, the painting communicates through their garments that the children are following in their parents footsteps. These apples are not falling far from the tree. They have been talking about their faith as they walk along the way. Deuteronomy 6:7 “You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”
They each have their own bible. This is not a family that thinks that faith is reserved for adults. This family has invited their children into following God themselves. If only more families and more churches would invite children to be full participants in following Jesus. 3 John 1:4 “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”
Near the fire hydrant there is apparently a black cat that has just crossed their path. This family is not afraid of evil or misfortune. They are following God boldly and they trust him in every circumstance. Psalm 112:7 “He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.”
I hope this painting and considering its story are a blessing to you!