Hey Sis…
Do you go to church? How often? Did you go this past Sunday? And by go, I mean physically get up, brush your teeth and wash your behind, put on some Sunday-GoTo-Meeting threads and get into some mode of transportation and head to a physical church? Not, I watched it online. Not, I am the church. Not, I’m spiritual. No shade, if that’s you. But I am talking about actually going to church.
We are commanded to go to church. Did you know that? Hebrews 10:25 starts out by saying Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves as is the custom with some…That’s probably the biggest reason to go: Because God told me to…but there are others. I want to focus on this reason: our babies.
If you are like me, you grew up in church. If you are like me, you were sitting comfy in yo momma’s womb on the first pew, that’s how long you’ve been going. If you’re like me, you were serving in a ministry in church long before it was coined “serving in a ministry” (I had a choice: choir or usher. As a lifelong fashionista I made the wise choice of singing. Choir robes were only worn for a time, while the mundane black and white that the ushers wore, were atrocious and everlasting. I couldn’t.). And if you’re like me, you’ve seen more than your fair share of church dramatics (I would like to include in this category, seeing someone’s wig fall off while shouting at least once!). If you’re like me, you’ve experienced the let down of a pastor who didn’t live up to our expectations, or have witnessed too much gossip….or something…..SOMETHING…that has turned us off from church.
Fast forward 20 years and 3 kids later, and we are all home on Sunday morning. Might be ok for you. (It’s not, but I’ll play along). But it’s definitely not alright for the kids. And here’s why: even though we may not plunk down in a pew week after week…we used to. Therefore, the word is ingrained in us. We know the bible verses, the hymns, (and even the churchy sayings). Which means we know where to go, what to say, who to talk to, when things go wrong. And our kids know…hotline bling and how to hit the quan…neither of which will save their souls or offer peace.
These babies need church. They need Sunday School, where they can ask questions and engage in intimate conversations about Jesus Christ. They need children’s church, where they are taught the importance of worship and corporate worship and prayer. They need to serve in ministry, which is a training ground for soooo many things for their future. They need church, where they can experience Jesus.
Proverbs 22:6 says Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
Stop departing…and go home. And take your children with you…so they will know where to go.
Should you teach them at home? Yes. Should you all attend church together? Absolutely!
