Children in Church: Training Worshipers, Not Spectators

Children don’t learn to worship by waiting until they are old enough. They learn to worship by worshiping. In the final episode of our three-part series on preparing the household for worship, Nick and Brandon discuss what it looks like to bring children into the gathered worship of the church—and patiently train them to participate. Beginning with Deuteronomy 31, we trace the biblical pattern of children gathering with God’s people, from the Old Testament assemblies to Paul directly addressing children in his letters to the churches. But the conversation doesn’t stop with why children belong in worship. We get practical. How do you help a toddler develop an attention span? What should you give children during the sermon? What do you do when a child becomes disruptive? Should you take them out—and when should you bring them back? How can family worship throughout the week prepare them for Sunday? Brandon also reflects on doing this all over again with twin toddlers and offers encouragement to parents who sometimes leave church wondering, “Did we get anything out of that?” The goal isn’t perfectly quiet children. The goal is children who learn to hear God’s Word, sing with God’s people, love Christ’s church, and become lifelong worshipers. Take the long view. Every Lord’s Day is another brick in the foundation. This episode concludes our three-part series: Part 1 — Prepare for Sunday Like It Matters | Preparing Your Family for Worship Part 2 — Why Most Fathers Never Start Family Worship Part 3 — Children in Church: Training Worshipers, Not Spectators