-4 Min Read
Introduction
As a member of a family-integrated church, I have become a clanging gong in repeating the benefits of keeping children in Sunday services. This is not how I always viewed Sunday worship, but praise the Lord that He softened my heart and changed my ideals in this area. We now gladly welcome and encourage children of every age to take part in Sunday worship. After three years of practicing this with our family, I wanted to point out a few of the blessings we have reaped through this venture. I am a mother to four (almost five) young children ranging from one to nine years old. The benefits we have already seen are incredible, and I can’t wait to see how the Lord magnifies His glory all the more as our children grow. Let’s take a look at just a few of the ways God has impacted our family through an integrated church.
Knowing and Being Known
Our children are known well in our church. Each person knows their name, their likes and dislikes, their strengths and shortfalls, and loves them intentionally. Consequently, our children also know every person that attends church. They welcome the newcomers at the door and are excited to pray for them to return in weeks to come. Our children notice when regulars are missing and are quick to ask if they need prayer. Children are made a part of adult conversation and happily included in extracurricular Bible studies and events. As a mother, this warms my heart more than I can explain. To see my children loved on so well in an environment that exudes Christ and His mercies is truly amazing. I have confidence that my children are prayed for regularly, and I know He hears those prayers. This has given our children an immense sense of belonging in the church and they look forward to reconnecting with their church family every week.
Evangelism
Because our children are so involved with our church, they are quick to invite others to join them. Not just join their parents, but actually join them in Sunday worship. They invite teachers, friends, family, and strangers to come and learn with them. Our girls, who are now seven and nine, especially love to tell others about what they are learning on Sunday mornings. They are excited to share an invite and save a seat for anyone who will come. And parents, let me just say, it is hard for people to say no to a child when they are asking so sincerely. Let your children be a part of growing Christ’s church! It is never too early to develop a habit of evangelism. This habit encourages them to, “always be ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and fear…” (1 Peter 3:15).
Little Theologians
Children in a family-integrated church are quickly exposed to Biblical language and theology. They are introduced to terms such as headship, depravity, atonement, sanctification, and so much more! We don’t expect a total understanding of each term from the beginning, but I have noticed how easy it becomes to explain these to our children in later years. They are so used to these words being repeated and often will question what the words mean. Not only do they hear these buzz words, but they see them preached and applied in scripture. As parents, we know that for our children to learn anything well, there has to be consistency. Deuteronomy 6:5-8 reminds us of this:
You shall love Yahweh your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.
– Deuteronomy 6:5-7 (LSB)
We are commanded to diligently teach our children in all spheres of life! If you are struggling with how to introduce these great truths to your children, let the church be the natural starting point to spring you into Godly conversations with your family.
Christian Conduct
Immersion in Biblical Christian culture has massively impacted our family. We are surrounded by people who love Christ dearly and show that in their lives. Through this, our children have learned the core values of serving, praying, speaking words of encouragement, and edifying one another. Repentance is not hidden from them, instead, they see it regularly practiced in our home and with our people. Along with that, they witness forgiveness. In the suffering and perseverance of the saints, they are shown what it looks like when there is, “a time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance…” (Ecclesiastes 3:4).
It is common for extracurricular activities to be relied on for our children to learn healthy disciplines in life. Sports are used to teach obedience and teamwork. Arts are encouraged to express passion and beauty. Community programs are implemented to promote caring for others. None of these things are inherently bad or wrong. But I want to challenge you to encourage these godly attributes in your children through godly means. Let them serve their church and work together for God’s glory. Help them to see the beauty of God’s handiwork in weaving the lives of sinners together in a way that glorifies Him! Show them that truly caring for others is through giving them the gospel. I am so thankful that my children have a plethora of people to look up to as Godly influences. Hebrews 13:7 is a wonderful verse that we can pray for our families, “Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.”
A Final Challenge
Coram Deo is a phrase in Latin that is translated “before the sight of God”. It is a phrase I try to remember often in my everyday life, a reminder to live before the sight of God. This applies just as deeply to our parenting. If the Lord were to physically appear to church with you on Sunday and find the children missing from a service devoted to worshipping Him, what do you think His response would be? I imagine it would be a reminder of Mark 10:14, “But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, ‘Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these’…”.
Welcoming children into the service to worship with us not only benefits the family, but it is an act of obedience to the Lord! Do we need any more reasoning than that? Trust in God’s promises and, “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.” (Galatians 6:9).