Why Kids In Worship? So they Catch Us Worshipping…

 Welcome to the Family ministry minute.  I’m Jonathan Cronkhite and we are talking about the reasons kids should attend worship services with their parents…

 Let them catch you!  Let them catch you worshipping…. We all know that our kids catch more of what we DO than what we say.  Someone said that our faith is caught more than it is taught.  So, let them catch us worshiping.  We have a great opportunity and privilege to show our kids how important worship is!  Where else do they see dad closing his eyes and singing to God?  Where else does mom and dad get taught from God’s word?  (it has to be good for our kids to see mom and dad “get instruction”, since they never see that happen anywhere else.)

It shows them we are serious about God; that we really do desire to follow Him.  It shows our kids that we can humble ourselves before our Holy God.  It shows them that we are in need of forgiveness, that we are not perfect.

Until our kids decide to follow God on their own, I want them to follow me and my example.  I want to be like Paul, so I can say to my kids (my disciples), “live as I have before you, follow my example.”

Besides, my kids love snuggling with me during worship and I enjoy it too!  It isn’t always easy with little kids.  In the beginning, it was difficult to get them to sit still during the sermon, but just like training them in other areas, we had to train them, discipline them and give them consequences for misbehavior.  Just a couple weeks ago, I had to take our 8 year old out in the middle of the sermon to remind him why we were there and what I expected of him.  Honestly, now the biggest issue we have is that they fight over who gets to sit next to daddy!

So, next Sunday, bring your kids with you to worship.  It may be uncomfortable for them and for you, they may fight back, but it is so worth it.

I hope you come back for more encouragement and inspiration.

Thanks for listening.  Post a comment or question and I promise to answer!

Written by Jonathan

Rev. Jonathan Cronkhite has been serving youth and families for the last 28 years. With the heart of a pastor, he encourages and equips families to have Homes Devoted, through conferences, workshops, coaching, and writing. Married to Carrie for 25 years, they have 5 children, three of whom are young adults. Jonathan enjoys working alongside and discipling his teenage sons and their friends, renovating and flipping homes. He supports Carrie as she leads a home school co-op, and together they practice hospitality and serve in the community.