by David Burka
Just as God gives us boundaries that help us grow up better, we need to give our children appropriate boundaries. If your son said, �I just don't feel like going to school today,� you would let him know that attending school and getting an education is not an optional thing. If your daughter wanted to stop brushing her teeth, you would let her know that maintaining healthy teeth and gums is one of the essential habits for her continued good health. If mental and physical development are important, how much MORE important is a child�s spiritual development? Being in a Bible class and participating in worship services will ultimately affect your child�s destiny in a much greater way than either school attendance or teeth brushing.
We have a responsibility to guide our children into spiritual growth. If they don't want to come at times, let�s be sure they don't have too many other distractions (i.e. toys, games, TV, etc.). We can help them get the rest they need so they aren�t too tired on Sunday morning. When standardized tests are being given at school, everyone goes to bed a little earlier. We try to do our best. The ultimate �finals� will be given soon enough. Our whole family can do the �test prep� now!
When children know that this is just what our family does EVERY Sunday, they develop a healthy lifelong habit of being where God�s word is taught and growing with fellow Christians. Certainly, just �sitting in a pew� is not what is implied here, but an active participation in the work of the church; however, if a family is NOT involved in Bible class, they will not be as aware of opportunities for spiritual development.
Children of all ages will try parents on many issues, and it is important that we, as adults and spiritual leaders in our families, stand firm and reinforce those things that will lead to spiritual growth and maturity. When certain things are not allowed in his home, a child learns to deal with it. One rule in our house on Sundays is that no one can turn on the TV until the afternoon (and often we don't even turn it on all day). It�s something that has helped us keep our minds clearly focused on God and the Bible before we come to worship, and keep worldly thoughts minimized. Be thinking of ways that your family can maximize their time and energy for the Lord.
Bible class participation should be a �given� � Godly people have spent time and energy preparing a lesson from God�s word to share in an appropriate way with your child. When a child doesn�t want to eat a meal, we sometimes say, �think of all the starving children�. Bible class is like a gourmet meal just waiting to be enjoyed, and so many people all over the world are starving for just such a feast. Andrew Phillips works hard with the capable teaching staff to ensure that the �banquet table� is spread each week, and our ministers all do a great job of preparing �meaty� lessons from the word. Let�s be sure we are getting the best of what�s available. See you in Bible class and worship services next Sunday!