Memorial day weekend was our annual church conference and with 2 small tykes in tow, there were multiple times my head just hung down and I wondered what’s the point in taking kids to church?
In fact I wondered why I was even trying. Most of my time in church was spent hushing little ones and picking up the few toys we allow them to bring. Then picking up bookmarks and pens, because kids will make toys out of anything.
What’s the Point in Taking Kids to Church?
The rest of the time I’m out of church with a little one who has become so noisy I cannot hear a thing being said in church so what’s the point? Why do we even try to take these babies to services? Why do we deem church such an important part of a Christ centered family’s life when we cannot even hear what’s being said?
Saturday services went okay. Sunday’s services became increasingly challenging, and by Monday morning I just wanted to stay home in bed. But we went and I tried to listen. But the little I heard, only made me feel worse.
Monday morning the question was asked: “Why did you come to conference this year?”
As I’m fighting back tears, the voice in my head replies “I have no clue! I cannot take notes, what I’m hearing is so mixed with my children’s fussing that it makes no sense. Everyone else else seems so joyful and peaceful and I’m just failing! Failing at being a mom, failing at being a christian…” and the nasty little voice keeps whining on.
That little voice, it lies.
Anytime the voice in your head brings condemnation, discouragement, depression, self pity, envy, etc. rest assured, it is not of God. The Still Small Voice of God bring peace and comfort, not condemnation and discouragement.
So what’s the point in taking kids to church? Why bother even trying to go to a worship service when you have little ones. Why not wait until they are a bit older?
The Reason for Going to Church with Young Children.
Or rather 3 reasons!
#1. Fellowship
While I was feeling so down and frustrated, my 1 yr old became so loud and unruly that I had to take him out again. Sitting in the baby-room though, something occurred to me. I wasn’t alone! There were a dozen other moms in there, ALL also attempting to settle their little ones.
What a comfort to be surrounded with Christian sisters, and see that we all share the struggle of seeking spiritual nourishment while still caring for our babies. I wasn’t alone, and the nasty little voice in my head began to be silenced as I visited with other sisters, sharing our struggles.
God isn’t limited to speaking only through our elected ministers. He is just as easily able to speak through a sister in the baby- room.
#2. A Firm Foundation
My almost 3 year old amazes me sometimes. He remembers the oddest things that happened months before. He remembers things Jason and I talked about and we didn’t even realize he was listening.
Church is no different. Even though it seems like he is only worried about his toy, or snack, or going out to potty/get a drink, his subconscious is picking things up.
While christian parents cannot simply take their kids to church once a week and expect them to become followers of Christ automatically; taking children to worship services is a fundamental part of giving them the firm foundation upon which they can grow.
#3. God’s Love for Children
On the wall in my boy’s room is this verse: “suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not” Jesus spent time with children, he loved them and he blessed them.
I cannot help but believe that a church full of wriggly, noisy little children is a delight to our God! What a shame it would be for me to sit at home sulking because I don’t get what I used to from sermons.
Scripture also backs this up:
Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
In fact, search for verses in the New Testament containing the word “together”. You will find many, many verses talking about being knit together, working together, striving together…
This “togetherness” cannot happen if I’m sitting at home sulking because I cannot get much out of the church service due to kids.
So we will keep taking the children to church with us. Perhaps over time, the nasty little voice in my head will be silenced entirely. Or maybe I will always struggle against it. But I know this much: No matter how hard, or dark a place I find myself in, God’s light can reach there and I can trust that he will bring me through.
Our children are the only true legacy we have. They are the only things on this earth that we both leave behind and can take with us. It’s worth my life, to raise them in a manner that they can follow me to heaven someday.
So what’s the point in taking kids to church?
Kendra, I don’t always have time to read all the posts I would love to read, but saw this and loved it! You are so right on every point here! May other young Mother’s be blessed by these words! God bless you all, and thanks for speaking your true heart! They learn by example so this is so important! ♥
Thanks Gail.
I find such encouragement hearing from other moms and I just feel pressed to share it with others as well!
I took my four year old to church by myself over Memorial Day weekend, because my husband was reroofing his mom’s house. I’ll be honest, I was terrified. My son usually does very well during services, BUT he listens to my husband 10x better than he listens to me, so I was pretty sure I was going to have to leave in the middle. Nope! He sat like a gentleman the whole time! At the end I told him he did very well, and he said “Well I was to wiggly.”
I’ve definitely had to leave before, and I always leave them in nursery until they are at least 18 months old, but after that I like to teach them that church is for everyone, not just adults. It’s important to me that my children worship with us, not go off to children’s church, making us something of an oddity in our congregation.
It is so true about little children remembering things you wouldn’t expect. My son has a memory like a steel trap! It definitely puts mine to shame. It’s also surprising how much they really do pay attention in church. If there is a Bible story told during church, not just a verse and a related lesson, he can retell it even when he looks like he is off in his own little world the whole time!
When I had more children (we do foster care) it was very tempting to send them off to different activities (and one very disobedient child did just stay in the nursery because I knew I’d be leaving as soon as I sat down if I took her into the sanctuary), because all of the tiny wiggles spread out across 4 children is very distracting, but I knew that wasn’t what I wanted for them in the future if they ended up staying with us.
Thanks so much for writing this, Kendra. I’ve been asking myself the same question lately, and you have some good things for me to remember when I feel like giving up 🙂 Blessings to you, sweet mama!
Kendra, thank you so much for this!! children need to be in services with us, I firmly believe!! If they never see us worship corporately, how will they know what to do??
Thank you for that sentence that God delights in seeing His precious wiggly little ones in His house!
that direct thought had never entered my mind before!
SO true! I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately, especially last week while visiting a new church. Everyone sent their kiddos away to play during the service and while it was convenient, I struggled with the concept. They do learn more than we realize and like you said, having them in church with us sets the fundamentals for the future.
Oh my. Being in a new area and finding a new church sounds very challenging. I’m praying you can find one where you feel at home!
We have never skipped church because of noisy little ones. We have seen people who skipped years of church because of little ones, and when they finally came back, their children were uncomfortable in church and did not know how to act. They could never seem to fit church into their routine anymore. I know church should be more than just a habit, but in those tough years, that “habit” can help pull you through.
My husband and I raised 5 children, they were in church every week. Yes they were fussy as most children are but soon learned that behaving was necessary because we would always be at church. As time took them from baby thru teenage years they became involved and gained the love of church and fellowship as we did. Each one gave their heart to Jesus as they realized their need. Today they are wonderful adults following “in the way they should go”. It is worth the patience and living a Godly life before them even when they are fussy. (We are now in our 80’s continuing to be blessed with our children, grandchildren and watching them parent our great grandchildren)