Articles
A Legacy of Light
Parents, there is tremendous value in bringing your kids to worship. Perhaps there’s a temptation to think, “What’s the point? They’re too young to understand what’s going on, they squirm and cry and then I’m too distracted to focus, plus it’s embarrassing when my kids distract others.” Here’s how bringing them anyway helps you leave behind a legacy of light in the world (Matt. 5:14).
1) It teaches kids that mom and dad obey too. Kids are always taking orders from their parents, and they may wonder, “How come I always have to obey, yet my parents don’t?” When they come to worship, they see that even their parents obey a higher master. Worship is a great time for parents to show their children that God is the ultimate authority for the whole family (Eph. 3:14-15).
2) Children are like sponges, even at an early age. They’re learning advanced vocabulary words and concepts in class and from the pulpit. They’re watching the interactions between brothers and sisters in Christ, learning at an early age the importance of spiritual family. They’re soaking in stories about Abraham, Moses, David, and Daniel that’ll stick with them forever and give them wisdom and salvation (2 Tim. 3:15).
3) They learn to sit still and listen. They may fight you on it, but eventually they’ll learn how to “be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10). That verse isn’t about sitting still in a pew, but having a still mind and heart that submits to and waits for the Lord. If children never learn to sit still in God’s presence, how will they ever be still in mind enough to pray, read their Bibles, or wait on the Lord when they grow up?
4) They learn God comes first. When they see mom and dad rounding up the whole family every Sunday and Wednesday like clockwork without fail, they’re learning that serving God is the most important thing in the world. On the other hand, when mom and dad sleep in or decide to stay home and watch TV instead, children learn real quick where God fits in their life.
5) It teaches kids that life isn’t always about fun. Let’s face it, sometimes your children won’t want to come to worship because it’s not entertaining and it’s hard for them to sit still and be silent. Bringing them anyway teaches them that sometimes we have to do what we don’t want to do, simply because it’s good and right.
6) It prepares the next generation of Christians. When children come to worship, they’re learning how to properly relate to and approach God in worship so that one day when they grow up they’ll continue to serve Him and be lights in the world, as will their children even after we’re gone. Coming to worship doesn’t replace the need to teach them at home throughout the week (Deut. 6:7), but it’s vital to leaving behind a legacy of light.
