Resources/Articles
Why Take Your Children to Worship Services?
“I know my children are disturbing your lesson. I am sorry. I really didn’t get anything out of your sermon today because my children were misbehaving. It probably doesn’t do me any good to be here. It’s frustrating.”
Those words and similar thoughts have been expressed to me by moms over the years. Bringing a hold to worship services seems to be either a chore or a disappointment, because their child is not behaving like he or she should. It seems easier to stay at home due to nap schedules, feedings, teething, sickness, etc. Until a child grows up some more it feels like being at home is a better solution, rather than having to go to a worship service and struggle half the time. Even separation from your child to attend a Bible class while you attend your own Bible class creates such a turmoil, you would rather sit at home and rock your child than hear him cry or “fight her” to stay in class.
Every parent needs to understand how Satan will want to work against any effort, any plan, or any hope of you attending a Bible class or worship service with your child.
The question is: Will every absence from those responsibilities be worth it OR will every time you attend be worth it, even if you do spend most of the service in the “cry room” with your baby or toddler? It is ABSOLUTELY worth it every second! Here is why babies and toddlers need their parents to come and bring them to Bible classes and worship services…
YOUR CHILDREN WILL SEE THE PRIORITY IN WORSHIPING GOD.
“Who made the world?” GOD! “Who made you?” GOD! “Who put the sun in the sky?” GOD! “Who is in heaven?” GOD! Those questions are some of the first ones your children will be asked in a Bible class. They will hear the answers in class or worship services. They will know from us what they are to be when they grow up at one year old! Worshiping God is THE first area of your child’s life where he or she understands the consistency of a parent who says “Do as I say” and follows with “Do as I do.” Your children grow up knowing and being assured the most important activities of their lives are honoring, praising, and exalting the God whom they say made the world, them, puts the sun in the sky, is in heaven, and saves them from Satan and sin. Instead of making sure your child stays on his/her nap, snack, and “going to bed on time at night” schedule, place worship as THE PRIORITY in your child’s schedule (Psalm 122.1).
YOUR CHILDREN WILL KNOW THE PRIORITY OF THE CHURCH.
Worshiping is a PRIORITY in knowing God. The church is NOT the place, but the unit of individuals who worship together in unity. This group of people whose effort is toward holiness and righteousness is the foundation of values the heart of your child needs to please the God who is worshiped. It is not about “going to church” every time there is a worship service. Church is about saved people: People who will be a part of many other groups, organizations, and clubs, but who are about mercy, kindness, truth, commitment, help, encouragement, love, joy, self-control, etc. These are all the traits of the church Jesus built. Parents set the stage early for their children, especially who their associates should be, when they are participating and involved in the work of the church, and especially worship (Ephesians 4.13-16; 5.23-25).
YOUR CHILDREN WILL GROW UP TO BE SPIRITUALLY-MINDED.
There is nothing like hearing your children tell the Bible events their hearts retain. They hear an event and it strikes them with the amazement adults need. It amazes us that they remember the message of a Bible class or sermon, but we appreciate their ability to learn and tell the good news. It is not a manufactured tale. It is not a “make-believe” person or event. It is truth. It is never, ever too early for them to hear that Jesus loves them. They are never, ever too young to be told God made them, and He is good> Being present at a worship service is the time for them to hear this from someone besides their parents. What a child learns early about God is what a child will later act upon in life. Besides, what parent will not develop spiritually by a worship service as well, even if they have to “tag team” to the nursery or the bathroom with their child? Worship is a spiritually motivating moment no couch at home in front of a TV will ever spiritually provide.
YOUR CHILDREN WILL BE WORSHIPING WITH CHRISTIANS.
Someday your child might be on a ball team with, work with, or live next door to a Christian. It is not like worshiping with them. Worshiping with Christians provides definition like no other activity. It captivates a child’s heart to sing, pray, give (even if it is a quarter or dollar), and not experience something he or she would see out in the world. That is a treasure! That is what provides faith and hope for a child to want to live the right way. The relationships which come from sitting with, singing with, and reading with other children who know and believe God is priceless. Every worship period has a spiritual return every time parents invest in it with their child (Hebrews 10.24-25).
YOUR CHILDREN WILL LEARN AND LIVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE.
Worshiping God is where a child’s gifts, abilities, and talents are witnessed and enhanced. In whatever a parent praises a chid most, that will be a part of their bent. Your child’s talents are not for your pleasure, enjoyment, or boasting. They are for God to have and use for His kingdom and influence in the world to make a difference (Romans 12.3-8). Parents may smile at their child’s posture in praying or voice in singing or giving a birthday card to an elderly member. The learning time your children receive from a worship service will keep them from being a “WANTER” and someone entitled to have things done for them. Humility in a serving, innocent, dependent child (Matthew 18.1-6) is what our Lord saw in them, and what every parent needs to see as well. Bring them to a worship service so they can learn to live as a servant and become great in the eyes of God.
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Worship is not a “fix-it,” “end-all,” or “enough” for a children’s spirits. It is the essential beginning for them to know and live for the God who created them and the world. Every child needs to know of the honor and privilege it is to worship and be a part of the church for which Jesus died. Take whatever steps you need to attend every worship service. Manage it. Make it happen. Lay out your clothes and their clothes and get ready. Go. Your presence and their presence there will be worth it.
