Our Blog

By: Pastor Nathan Berg

As parents, God has given us the awesome responsibility to bring up our children in the training and instruction of the Lord. To think that we are personally responsible for another soul can be overwhelming. So how can I follow God’s command to “bring [my children] up in the training and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4)? It’s awfully hard to train someone if you haven been trained first yourself. And that’s the goal of this series of articles. We want to provide you with resources to “Dedicate a child to the way he should go, and even when he becomes old, he will not turn away from it” (Proverbs 22:6). One of the greatest resources you already have right at your fingertips is worship in God’s house. Training doesn’t have to be a formal, sit-down event in a classroom or around a kitchen table. Training can take place right during the worship service. That training can start right now, even before our children can read.

Contrary to popular belief, children have a place in God’s house during worship, even if they can’t read. So my child can’t read, can he still participate? Absolutely! Even if they can’t read, you can encourage them to participate by helping them to follow along. Encourage them to stand when the rest of the congregation stands. When it’s time to pray, remind them to fold their hands and bow their heads. When we’re singing a hymn or responding to God’s grace with a song in the liturgy, use your finger to follow the words. Even if your child can’t read those words, they will get the sense that what’s being said or sung is meant for them too!

It’s amazing how quickly our children can pick things up. During those early years, they are like little sponges just waiting to soak up what they experience. A child who is regularly in worship, who is regularly made to feel like they belong, and who is assisted in participating will be able to sing the songs of the church from memory before we know it. And if you really want to give them a head start, you can practice those songs and prayers at home. Our Eastside pastors have the hymns and services selected months in advance. Just ask us for suggestions for songs that your child can learn ahead of time. We would be more than happy to share. And then, when that song is sung in church, they can sing it confidently right along with you. Simple little steps like these show your child that you care about their worship life and want them to participate right along with you. May God bless your efforts to bring up his children!