Children in the Sanctuary

Scriptural support for children in the church service rests in part upon Joshua 8:34-35 where The Book of the Law and “all that Moses had commanded” was read before “all the assembly of Israel, with the women, the little ones, and the strangers who were living among them.” Ezra also read the law from morning to midday before “the men, and women and all who could understand” (Neh. 8:3). Since age accountability and comprehension is different with each child, We can safely assume there were many children present at that reading of the Law. Jesus also taught with children present, and welcomed them with open arms (Matt. 19).

As believers in Christ, it is important that we counteract humanistic influence and methods that have infiltrated churches, where an environment that mirrors public schools (age segregated learning) where impressing peers (with all the accompanying problems) has become more important than honoring parents (and Christ). The church culture that resembles more of the world than Christ is evidence of that influence.

Having worked in a church with age segregated Sunday school and youth groups for over a decade, I saw a fair share of success stories, but also evidenced many instances of shame and dishonor that were directly the result of peer influence and absence of supervision. As the pastor of a church without youth group or children’s church where families worship I have been extremely blessed by the families that train their children to honor the worship time, who then reinforce during their family worship time the lessons learned during our service.

What I would be impressed with is for those who support youth groups and Sunday school to find scriptural evidence and basis for that model of methodology besides “liberty” or “God doesn’t care about our methods”. Having children in with parents has a much stronger biblical and logical position than it’s opposite. If neither of these positions is biblically mandated or essential, then leave each other alone to live out their convictions.

The gospel of Christ must be preached (and lived) within the family, outside the family, but not at the expense of the family.