Imagine if Jesus came to your church this Sunday- as He comes to the pulpit in the sanctuary He says, “Where are all your children?” A helpful leader says, “They’re in the back Jesus so they can be given lessons for their own age.”

Jesus responds- “Bring the children here- they are just as much apart of my church as you are.” Now imagine a concerned parent or leader saying, “But Jesus, they’ll be loud, fidgety and distracting.” What do you think Jesus would say back?

I believe He’d say, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Sound familiar?

Matthew 19:13-14, “13 Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. 14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

VERSES ON CHILDREN IN CHURCH

  1. HEARING ALL THE LAW: Deuteronomy 31:9-13, “9 So Moses wrote down this law and gave it to the Levitical priests, who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and to all the elders of Israel. 10 Then Moses commanded them: “At the end of every seven years, in the year for canceling debts, during the Festival of Tabernacles, 11 when all Israel comes to appear before the Lord your God at the place he will choose, you shall read this law before them in their hearing. 12 Assemble the people—men, women and children, and the foreigners residing in your towns—so they can listen and learn to fear the Lord your God and follow carefully all the words of this law. 13 Their children, who do not know this law, must hear it and learn to fear the Lord your God as long as you live in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.”
  2. DAILY LEARNING: Deuteronomy 11:19, “Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
  3. IN THE HOUSE CHURCHES: Ephesians 6:1-4 (NIV) 1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3 “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” 4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

HELPFUL TIPS FOR CHILDREN ACCORDING TO AGE:

  1. INFANT – 18 MONTHS: If a child cries or is fussy for more than a one-two minutes; begin to look for signs to help bring the child comfort:
    1. Does the child need a diaper change?
    2. Is the child hungry?
    3. Does the child need to stretch and change positions?
  2. 18 MONTHS – 3 YEARS OLD: Begin to practice “Self-Control Time” with rewards at home:
    1. Have you child sit on an area rug with a toy while you read- see if you can get to 20-30min with little interaction.
    2. Have set times for dinner where the child learns to quietly eat and use their words to express their needs.
    3. Incorporate self-control with family devotions. Start by having them on your lap and then begin to see if they can sit by themselves.
  3. 4 – 5 YEARS OLD: Use rewards and punishments as a way to teach them obedience and self-control.
    1. Ask them to pay attention to the singing and learn the songs
    2. Ask them to try and read the Scriptures
    3. Have them take notes and mark in their Bible

TIPS FOR ALL CHILDREN

  1. Use the fast worship time to release controlled energy and by loud.
  2. During the slow songs begin to teaching them to pray, kneel and raise their hands.
  3. During the announcements let them know what applies to them.
  4. Have them get up and stretch during the offering- come to the front and give a dollar.
  5. During the message use hand signals and words to those who can understand.
  6. Use the bathrooms to change diapers.
  7. Use the back room or lobby for crying/fussing children.
  8. Use the back room or lobby to talk to an older children.
  9. Remember to prep them before church a day or two early to know what to expect. Remind them that Sunday is the Lord’s Day
  10. Reward them with your words and special treat and privileges every Sunday (and week) for what they do good.

GREAT BOOKS

  1. “Parenting in the Pew,” Robbie Castleman
  2. “The Nursery of the Holy Spirit,” Daniel Hyde

Children are not the church of tomorrow, but of today!