Wow what a weekend. We spent Friday and Saturday with my in laws and then Sunday with my granny and family. I love being with family. The children of course will have to be taken down a few notches because of all the attention and treats they received this weekend. But I sure don't begrudge them the wonderful love and affection they all received. It was wonderful.
Im such a radical parent to these people. Like I don't let my children watch a lot of television, yet every time I turned around someone had the television on for the children. We also worship as a family which means ALL the children come into "BIG" church with daddy and I. (Even the 22 month old) We practice sitting still and quiet at home by having an evening Bible reading together as a family where they all have to sit still and be quiet. As a result on Sunday morning other than some antsiness and the occasional murmur of protest from the 22 month old they act beautifully. And one other thing I can not abide is children running around during meals. In our house the rule is once you leave the table you are done. None of this running back to pick at the food on your plate. So my children sit and finish their food and then ask to get down from the table.
Im not a perfect parent by any means BUT I do want so much for my children to be respectful, obedient and self controlled. I believe these are essential to a strong Christian walk as they get older. I have been called cruel because I make my children sit and listen to preaching. I have been told they get nothing out of it. But this verse is one my husband and I claim. Isaiah 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. I believe that even if my children are not "understanding" the words of the preacher right now that it is being written on their little hearts and will come back to them one day. As I mentioned before I was saved at a young age and I believe my job right now is to make sure their little hearts are ready for this commitment one day soon.
I love having all my littles in church. My heart is so full as I sit and look down the row at them all sitting quietly with their little Bibles open on their laps. Its also nice to occasionally be able to refer back to something the preacher said during the week while talking to my children.
I have nothing against Children's church or the nursery but my family has decided this is best for us. We have searched the scriptures and found no verses supporting the separation of families in worship. We have found a few verses that shows everyone including children coming together to hear from God.
Joshua 8:35 There was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua read not before all the congregation of Israel, with the women, and the little ones, and the strangers that were conversant among them.
Matthew 18:1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
Mark 10:13 And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.
14 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
16 And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.
And of course lets not forget young Timothy who learned about the scriptures at the feet of his mother and grandmother.
Looking at these verses and some others we discerned that there were always children around when Jesus preached. Why should our children not be with us as we learn from the Father's word?
No comments:
Post a Comment