Dear Brothers and
Sisters in Christ,
Let the Little Children Come to JESUS!
Our Lord gives parents the vocation of bringing their children to Him. Jesus wants the children to come to Him,
and He wants their parents to bring them. So parents, bring your children to church in order that they may meet Jesus.
This challenge is not only for parents; it's also
for other worshipers. Here are some practical helps.
Helps
for Parents
·
Bring
your children to church (and Sunday School) (after
all, they can't get there by
themselves). Bring them from their youngest days all the way through their teen years. If you bring
them to church and Sunday School as regularly as you teach them
to brush their teeth or say "Please" and
"Thank you," it
will become a God-pleasing habit for the rest of their lives (just as, hopefully, teeth-brushing and good manners will).
·
Teach
your children that "going to church and
Sunday School" is where
they get to be with Jesus.
Children think in literal, concrete terms. "Going to church" is only about a building. Being "with Jesus" is more specific,
more concrete, and more relational.
·
Sit
up front. Children learn by observation. Let them see what's happening at and around the altar. They'll observe and appreciate how sacred things are done. When children sit in the back pews, they can only
see the backs of people's heads or, when the
congregation is standing ... , (well, it obvious!). Bring them to Sunday School where they also learn about Jesus and what He's done for them. I think that it's wonderful that we have two young men sitting up front! Parents, it's O.K.
to sit up front with your children. They may just surprise you!
·
Teach
your children the repeating portions of the liturgy.
Encourage them to learn and repeat the Kyrie, the Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and other repeating responses. Teach these things at home, and encourage them to join in during
the Divine Service. We teach them these things also in chapel prior to
Sunday School and CWS (Christian Weekday School).
·
Model
reverent participation for your
children. Children learn by observing their parents. If parents display reverent behavior during the Worship Service and
come to Adult Bible Class, their children will, over time,
absorb that behavior, then mimic it, and then make it their own.
·
Be
patient! Parents,
it may seem as though you "get nothing" out of the Worship Service.
But hold on to God's promises more than your undivided attention. God is rich
in His grace! He still gives you His Word, in words and song, and His Body and
Blood. What you do hear and receive is still edifying.
Helps for Worshipers
·
Be
patient! Yes,
children - even unhappy, screaming children - are a delight to our Lord. He has
died for them and baptized them, and He wants them to come to Him in the Divine
Service. And understand, with compassion, that sometimes children need to be
removed temporarily in order to settle down. (Besides that, our Lord gives a
big, burly angel to protect each of these little ones (Matthew 18:10)).
·
Encourage
young parents. Instead
of giving a look of impatience, offer a consoling,
compassionate demeanor. Tell our young parents that, yes, you want their
children in Worship Service and in Sunday School, because, after all, it's the
place where they get to hear and receive Jesus Himself (just as you do!).
·
Offer
to help young parents. Sit
with them in their pew. Assist them in holding the hymnal
for their children. Let the children sit on your lap. And encourage the
children to participate in Worship Service.
So, parents, yes,
bring your children to church and Sunday School and keep them "in
church"-except for the occasional boisterous outburst. But bring them back
in, so that they don't miss Jesus. But, parents, by all means, bring them to
Jesus and teach them how to receive His gifts.
Your brother in
Christ,
Pastor Patterson
