By bro Lee Tian Seng
As parents we need to teach our children the importance of worship and assembling with the saints. This teaching should be accompanied by the example of parents who are not only regular in attendance but also bringing the children along.
Acts 20:7 - Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.
Hebrews 10:25 - Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
If we impress upon our children that assembling with the saints for worship is important, and should be a priority in our lives, they will learn and form this habit when they grow up. There will be social activities, work / school and recreational activities that stand in the way of assembling with the saints. It takes commitment to overcome the temptation and to put God first.
Matthew 6:33 - But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
First-time parents will find it challenging to bring their young children to worship. It is difficult to make children sit still and keep quiet during worship, and so some parents become discouraged. We should not give up but continue to train our children to sit still and keep quiet, and involve them in worship. You will be surprised that they can learn fast and behave well. They will even enjoy worship, singing along with the congregation.
Parents should also emphasize the importance of attending Bible classes so that their children study the Bible and become familiar with it. They should encourage them to do the homework given by the Bible class teachers. Sit down and do the homework together with them. If parents show interest in studying the Bible and teach their children that it is important, they will also be interested and grow up having good Bible knowledge.
2 Timothy 2:15 - Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Some parents complain that Bible class teachers give too much homework. They want their children to pay more attention to their school work. They even allow their children to skip Bible classes when they need to study for their school examinations. When parents do these, they send a wrong message to their children. The message is that they need not take Bible study too seriously. Soon, children will become less interested to attend Bible classes, and eventually stop attending. Then, they will fall away from the faith. We do not want to see this happen, but we are making it happen by not insisting that our children attend Bible classes.
2 Timothy 3:14-15 - But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Do not neglect to instruct your children to worship, to assemble, and to attend Bible classes. It is important for their salvation.