| Introduction There are some questions that we need to answer regarding young children in the worship services. Why do we want to include children in the public worship of the church? Why do we encourage parents to keep their young children in the sanctuary? Wouldn't our worship services be more reverent and peaceful if the young kids were all somewhere else? After all, they don't really benefit from the worship services anyway. Won't the noise and commotion turn visitors away? How will our church grow if visitors don't stay? We are Presbyterians and want things to do be done decently and in order! I. The Bible Teaches That Children Should Be Present in Worship Services. A. The Visible Church was instituted with a promise and a sacrament that included children, Gen. 17:7, 9-12 B. In the Old Covenant, children of all ages were commanded to be in the worship services, Dt. 29:10-13; 31:10-13; Josh. 8:35; Neh. 12:43. C. The prophet Joel describes the coming of the Messiah for his Bride, the Church, as a worship service in which the youngest children should be present, Joel 2:15-16. D. Remember that all these solemn gatherings of the Old Covenant find their climax on the Christian Sabbath! E. Besides the biblical examples and precepts, the theological nature of the Church shows that we should gather as a whole, every part present, FoG 2:2; WCF 25:2. F. Lastly, Jesus's interaction with children during his earthly ministry shows his desire for them to come to him in worship, Lk. 1:41, 44; Mt. 21:15-16; Mk. 10:13-16; Heb. 2:10-13 II. Why Is It So Difficult? A. The kids are a bundle of sin. B. We are sinners. C. We don't believe in what the Bible says concerning worship services, preaching, and regeneration. D. We don't take the time to train ourselves and our children for worship. E. Satan knows what right worship by the entire Church of Christ, which includes very young children will do to his kingdom. So, he discourages it. F. Our building can get in the way – but that is the least of the problems. III. How Do We Get Better at This? A. Right belief à whatever God says. B. Right love à it is not all about us C. Right focus à we are the Body of Christ D. Right practices Conclusion We are the Body of Christ. We worship together as one. This is a beautiful picture of what Psalm 78:4 says: "We will not hide them from their children, telling to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and His strength and His wonderful works that He has done." http://olympiabp.blogspot.com/2013/07/young-children-in-public-worship.html | |||
| | |||
| | |||
|
Friday, July 26, 2013
Young Children in Public Worship Services
