Parents are the most equipped to teach their children on their level
A common concern that many Christian parents have regarding the teaching of God’s Word at a Sunday church service is, “What kind of teaching is there for my child’s learning level?”
Churches will often try to address this concern with one of the following 3 solutions:
Although pastors/elders and Sunday school teachers of the local church are to be the most trusted and equipped Bible teachers in the church, the Bible is clear that God has equipped parents to be the most affective at teaching their children in a way they can understand (see Deuteronomy 6:4-9, Deuteronomy 6:20-25, Colossian 3:20-21).
Parents should know their children’s tendencies, learning methods, and specific educational needs more than any other public-school teacher, Sunday school teacher, pastor, or professional by nature of being the ones who have spent the most time with their children throughout their lifetime.
If parents are concerned about children learning the Bible on a level they can understand, then they need to prioritize the responsibility parents have to teach their children the Bible within the walls of their own home first and foremost. Anything the church can offer by way of children’s or youth ministries should be secondary and supplementary to what the parents are able to offer in the home.
When parents take this responsibility seriously, there will naturally be less pressure being put on the pastor or Sunday school teachers to be the primary spiritual educators of their children. Parents who diligently disciple their children in the home consistently throughout the week will also be able to enjoy the Sunday service together as a family unit in an entirely different way, because both the parents and children will not arrive to church on Sunday after being spiritually starved throughout the week.
For parents who feel they are not qualified to teach their children the Bible; there are many resources available for them to be able to learn alongside their children. I suggest parents to:
Parents teaching their children the truths of God’s Word is not just about having the knowledge, but it is probably even more about children being able to observe that their parents’ faith is genuine and being lived out on their own lives.
Children should see their Christians parents:
If the parents are doing these things then they are effectively teaching their children on a level they can understand.
Churches will often try to address this concern with one of the following 3 solutions:
- A brief children’s lesson during the Sunday service
- Excusing the children to their own class during the pastor’s sermon in the Sunday service
- Children are dropped off at an entirely separate children’s service for the duration of the Sunday worship service.
Although pastors/elders and Sunday school teachers of the local church are to be the most trusted and equipped Bible teachers in the church, the Bible is clear that God has equipped parents to be the most affective at teaching their children in a way they can understand (see Deuteronomy 6:4-9, Deuteronomy 6:20-25, Colossian 3:20-21).
Parents should know their children’s tendencies, learning methods, and specific educational needs more than any other public-school teacher, Sunday school teacher, pastor, or professional by nature of being the ones who have spent the most time with their children throughout their lifetime.
If parents are concerned about children learning the Bible on a level they can understand, then they need to prioritize the responsibility parents have to teach their children the Bible within the walls of their own home first and foremost. Anything the church can offer by way of children’s or youth ministries should be secondary and supplementary to what the parents are able to offer in the home.
When parents take this responsibility seriously, there will naturally be less pressure being put on the pastor or Sunday school teachers to be the primary spiritual educators of their children. Parents who diligently disciple their children in the home consistently throughout the week will also be able to enjoy the Sunday service together as a family unit in an entirely different way, because both the parents and children will not arrive to church on Sunday after being spiritually starved throughout the week.
For parents who feel they are not qualified to teach their children the Bible; there are many resources available for them to be able to learn alongside their children. I suggest parents to:
- use various kinds of devotionals
- catechisms
- read the Bible together
- sit together in church to hear the sermon together
- pray at mealtimes together
- utilize everyday moments to have spiritual conversations
- and they can always talk to their local church pastors and leaders for more ideas.
Parents teaching their children the truths of God’s Word is not just about having the knowledge, but it is probably even more about children being able to observe that their parents’ faith is genuine and being lived out on their own lives.
Children should see their Christians parents:
- regularly reading God’s Word
- praying
- living a Christian-moral lifestyle
- enjoying going to Sunday worship services
- and serving in their local church family
If the parents are doing these things then they are effectively teaching their children on a level they can understand.
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