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Thinking Biblically About Sunday School:

A Case for the Participation of Children in Worship 

 

Introduction

Last Sunday, I preached a message titled, “To Such Belong the Kingdom,” from Mark 10:13–16. For reference, you can listen to that message here. If you’ve already heard it, you will know that I took some time to address the idea of Sunday school from a biblical perspective. Based upon the nature of Jesus’ invite to the little children, the subject of this ministry naturally fit into the application.

I want to take the time now to expand on what I mentioned in that message. The points I offered were only a few among others that I’d like to expand upon. Not to mention, as we begin to navigate a different path in this regard as a church, I’d like to provide a more expansive argument from Scripture to justify our next steps. 

In the following article, I will offer 3 biblical points for the inclusion of children in the worship service. In conclusion, I’ll also address 3 objections that I pray will sufficiently answer any lingering questions.

It is my goal for us as a church of Jesus Christ to be as serious as we can possibly be about what the Word of God instructs. At times this may be difficult. It may require a challenging reorientation in the way we think and act. I anticipate this. But I also want to encourage you. As we seek to be faithful in our calling and labor in the stewardship of our children, God will richly bless.

 

Biblical Basis for Family Integrated Worship

1) Children are Assumed to Participate in Worship

The Bible assumes the presence of children in the formal worship gathering. Various instances, Old Testament and New, prove this to be the case.

Paul the apostle begins his letter to the Ephesians with a greeting to the entire church body (Eph 1:1–2). His letter, inspired of the Holy Spirit, was to be read before the people as part of the formal worship service. In the 5th and 6th chapters, he begins to specifically address individual demographics within the church, applying what he wrote. And among those demographics are women, men, and children. Expecting children to be present and involved, he declares, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right” (Eph 6:1).

The passage from my sermon last Sunday (Mark 10:13–16), is another excellent reference for the presence of children in and around Christ’s public ministry. The disciples may have pushed them away, but Jesus never did. There is no scriptural indication that they were removed from his times of teaching; rather, reference only to their attendance and participation (Matt 14:21).

However, the participation of children is not isolated to the New Testament. In Joshua 8:34–35, we see an example of children in worship, as Joshua builds an alter and leads the people in their covenant renewal to God. During this lengthy time of sitting under the word, the author notes, “There was not a word of all that Moses commanded that Joshua did not read before all the assembly of Israel, and the women, and the little ones, and the sojourners who lived among them” (Josh 8:35).   

2) Fathers are Responsible for Their Children’s Spiritual Care

The Bible tells us that men are the leader of their households (Eph 5:23; 1 Cor 11:3). One very important aspect of that leadership is the spiritual care and oversight of the entire family; something God makes them directly responsible for. Men are to oversee their wives’ spiritual growth (Eph 5:26), but to our point: instruct their children in the Lord (Eph 6:4).

The most pivotal passage in this regard is Deuteronomy 6:6–9, which extensively details the nature of this responsibility. The father’s instruction of children is to be comprehensive. Teaching them diligently in practically every context: the home, on the way, when they lie down, and when they rise. So that, in the coming generations, they will too will learn to love the Lord as those before them, and continue to pass on the faith.

On this basis, you might say that the largest biblical input for children is to come from their fathers. It is their responsibility that their children understand the things of God and are growing in them. The teaching ministry of the church has an important role in this, but it is still supplemental to what a child is to be receiving at home from dad. If there is a lack in a child’s biblical education, the impetus falls upon the father to pick up the slack, rather than the church.   

3) Segregated Ministries Are Not the Biblical Norm

While I see the use in certain properly motivated and time-sensitive segregated ministries in the church, we must recognize that they are still not the norm. When the Bible speaks to our times of worship, and other activities of ministry, typically the body is assembled together with every demographic included (Acts 2:39–47). I believe this contributes to our unity (Eph 4:4–6), resembles God’s glory in the universal church (Rev 7:9), and allows the diversity of gifts to be properly administered (1 Cor 12:12–31).

Specifically with regard to the segregation of children however, even greater caution must be taken. Generally speaking, when the Bible refers to young people, it speaks of those who are prone to foolishness and in need of instruction (Prov 22:15). As a result, wise biblical oversight, particularly in parents, but at least of those seasoned in the faith, are to be their peers and godly council. These are the people and examples needed primarily for their spiritual growth.

Separating them into groups of similar aged peers can end up being a harm to them rather than a help (Prov 13:20). The greater influence in this case will not be those of seasoned Christians, but of other children who are similarly underdeveloped in godly maturity. Rather, it is far more biblical, and helpful, for the young to be exposed to, and in proximity to, older men and women who will serve instructive to their faith.  

 

Answering Objections

1) Children Need Biblical Concepts Taught at Their Level

I recognize the motive behind this objection. It is indeed true that in order to communicate certain things to our children, concepts will at times have to be simplified. This is at least part of mine, and I’m sure, many others’ practices during family worship. We read the Bible and explain the truths to our children in a simplified fashion. If we were to explain things to them the way we do to an adult, much would fly over their heads. 

Let me offer two thoughts on this:

One, the Bible doesn’t assume that they will grasp absolutely everything they hear from the pulpit. And that’s okay. In the example earlier of children participating in the worship at Ephesus, Paul communicates some pretty weighty theological truths to the church in that letter. I think it’d be a bit silly to assume the children could provide you with a total read-back of everything spoken. But they were still nonetheless, expected to be present. They were expected to listen and grasp what they could, witnessing the practice of worship.

Second, the Bible teaches that we shouldn’t assume they are receiving nothing from their participation. Psalm 19:7b states, “The testimony of the Lord is sure; making wise the simple.” You’d be surprised what children do understand from the service, and what sticks out to them. They are watching, they are curious, and sooner or later what they’ve been exposed to will make roots in their minds and come out their mouths. But more importantly, as stated in the passage above, God promises to powerfully develop their understanding through the Word’s communication. We certainly don’t want to remove that opportunity, then.  

2) It’s Too Hard to Keep Children Still, in the Service

Trust me when I say, I feel you. The Russell household has four children, all 6 and under, so we know what having “ants in one’s pants” is all about. It’s definitely not easy to keep children still and quiet for over an hour, unless a tv screen is involved. And yet, they will sit and watch a movie for that amount of time, which should tell us it is definitely possible.

Which means, you have to work hard at it. Ask anyone whose children are behaved during the service and they will tell you it doesn’t happen overnight. And it’s definitely not because their children are somehow miraculously quiet and obedient, or some craziness like that. You have to train your children to sit and behave. You have to do this at home, where they can get accustomed to the practice. You have to do it many times so its not unusual. And you have to be serious about their discipline when obedience is not being achieved.

This is unfortunately why so many parents take the option of Sunday school, over that of having their children in the service. It is far easier to send their children to another class, so that they are burden free during worship. Problem is, the burden is only being outsourced. In this case, the responsibility is shifted to the Sunday school teacher, who now has the responsibility of watching other folks’ kids.

Let me encourage you: start practicing family worship if you’re not already. Do little mock-up church services at home. Make your children sit and watch a sermon, prep everything you need for Sunday on Saturday night so you’re ready. It is possible to have children sit in the service, and it is certainly worth the benefit to their souls.

3) How Else Will We Reach Children Evangelistically?       

Another way of putting this objection would be to ask, “what about those children whose parents aren’t committed to these things the way others are? How will those children be reached if we don’t have Sunday school?”

In some ways, this concern has already been dealt with under the first objection. The premise of the question is based upon the assumption that the sermon has no relevance to the young, who need a distilled version to understand. We’ve already asserted that this is not the case, and in fact, the sermon is the very best way to reach their hearts; even if all of its concepts are not perfectly understood.

Two final points in response:

Firstly, in the case of those children who otherwise don’t receive godly oversight and teaching in their homes, I ask the following: do we then continue to perseverate parental failure or encourage godly change? In other words, do we allow parents to continue outsourcing their responsibility to Sunday school teachers, or instead provide them an opportunity to get serious about their responsibility? Our attempts to meet the needs of children biblically undertaught with Sunday school is only serving to further the irresponsibility of parents in their role. If we truly want parents, and fathers more specifically, to start spiritually leading their children, we must provide them with an opportunity to do so.

Second, is our stress on evangelizing children in this regard a biblical emphasis? I’m certainly not saying that children should not be evangelized, but rather, should they be the priority in this line of argumentation? I would offer, that our emphasis for effective evangelism should actually be that of the fathers over that of the children. When the apostles seen the entirety of households saved during the growth of the infant church, many times it came about through the Father’s encounter with Christ first (Acts 10:34–48; 16:30–34; 18:7–8). He was the one who was pursued, as the one who would spiritually shape those of his family.

 

Conclusion

I pray the above article was helpful. May we continue to pursue generational faithfulness in our church as we submit ourselves to the Word of God.