How To Raise Children That Love Church

How can you help your children enjoy church more and grow to love it?

The Gift of Children

The Bible says that “children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward” (Psalm 127:3). Jacob had it right when he answered Esau about whose children he saw, saying they are “The children whom God has graciously given your servant” (Gen 33:5b). Another time is “When Israel (Jacob) saw Joseph’s sons, he said, “Who are these?” Joseph said to his father, “They are my sons, whom God has given me here.” And he said, “Bring them to me, please, that I may bless them” (Gen 48:8-9). These are only a few Bible verses that establish the fact that children are a gift from God so the first point is that children have been ordained for us by God because He is a good God that loves to bless His people.

Teaching your Children

After having learned the gospel and the commandments of God, parents should “teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise” (Due 11:19).  That means it’s a 24/7 work.  Our young child may come up to us someday and ask about Communion or the Lord’s Supper so “when your children say to you, ‘What do you mean by this service’” (Ex 12:26), we must tell them what the broken bread and the wine (or juice) represents as a way to teach them about God’s plan of salvation for all who repent and trust in Christ. Just exposing them to the gospel allows the Holy Spirit to work in their hearts but it is God Who determines the time in their life when they are saved. Parents should never try to force them to convert or feel pressured to get saved and be baptized. They could end up with a false convert. The most we can do (besides prayer) is to do what we’re commanded to do; “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it” (Prov 22:6). This doesn’t guarantee they’ll never depart from it but if you train them up in the way they should go, go that way yourself! That helps.

Serving

Why not involve children in the church services? Many churches have a mini children’s church service in the sanctuary, in front of everyone. Some have a children-only choir. Some churches have the children pass out bulletins and be ushers. Other churches have actual children’s church in another room where the children serve in just about all areas. They pass out bulletins, they lead the songs, they take up the offerings, they act as an usher’s and they read the Scriptures. The more they children are involved in services, they more they’ll learn to love it. Young children in particular love to help and here’s their opportunity.

Children’s Presentations

Children’s programs are among my favorites in church. They bring freshness, sincerity, and beauty to any worship service. You don’t have to wait for Christmas season…there are many different occasions for the children to be part of the worship service. They can present small, biblical skits. They can present music programs, either by the use of a children’s choir, soloists, or musical presentation. They possibilities are almost limitless.

Sunday School

Most children love Sunday school because they get to do activities that incidentally teach them the Bible. I taught Sunday school for almost two decades and for many of these children, this was the only biblical teachings that they have ever received. They need to learn more about God’s love for them, His mercy, His goodness, His miraculous wonders, the Sinless Lamb of God, and the life of Jesus Christ. The more they are exposed to the life of Christ, the more they might be drawn to Him. There is so much that these children I taught years ago still remember. They can but I can’t! And they remember things about the class that I’ve long ago forgotten about, and years later, they still come up to me and thank me for pointing them to Jesus Christ.

Conclusion

You can’t make someone like something against their will. Like the old saying goes, “You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink.” True, but you can feed him salty peanuts. Teach your children about your own experiences in life and how God has moved in ways that glorified Him. God wants us to glorify Him and the name and Person of Jesus Christ in our lives but to also glorify Him before our children and grandchildren. In that way, our children may learn to love church but even more importantly, they may learn to love God.

Article by Jack Wellman

Jack Wellman is Pastor of the Mulvane Brethren Church in Mulvane Kansas. Jack is also the Senior Writer at What Christians Want To Know whose mission is to equip, encourage, and energize Christians and to address questions about the believer’s daily walk with God and the Bible. You can follow Jack on Google Plus or check out his book Teaching Children the Gospel available on Amazon.