Parental responsibility Taking Children to Church

 While the Bible encourages bringing children to church, it also emphasizes the parents’ primary role in teaching and training their children in faith. Church is seen as a supplement to the parents’ efforts in raising their children with Christian values.

 For married parents, the decision to take children to church is part of their shared parental responsibility. For divorced or separated parents, this right is influenced by the type of custody they hold, whether it is sole or joint legal custody. In all cases, the primary legal consideration is the child’s best interests.

 Proverbs 22:6: “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it” (ESV). This proverb is often interpreted as an instruction for parents to teach their children a godly lifestyle, which includes attending church. It offers the hopeful outcome that this foundation will remain with them into adulthood.

 Deuteronomy 6:6–7: “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise” (ESV). This passage, part of the Shema, outlines the constant, everyday nature of a parent’s role in discipling their children. It emphasizes that teaching faith should be integrated into every aspect of life.

 Psalm 78:4: “We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done” (ESV). This verse underscores the responsibility to pass on the story of God’s faithfulness to the next generation

 Ephesians 6:4: “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (ESV). This verse gives parents the clear directive to raise children with Christian teaching and guidance. Participating in church worship and community life is a core part of this “discipline and instruction”.

 Matthew 19:14: “But Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven'” (ESV). Though not a direct command to parents, Jesus’s words place a high importance on children having access to him. Taking children to church is seen as fulfilling this by not hindering their path toward Christ.

 Hebrews 10:24–25: “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (ESV). While addressing the broader faith community, this instruction to meet together applies to all believers, including parents, who model church attendance for their children.

 Parents should:

• Instruct their children in godly ways (Proverbs 22:6).
• Teach and model faith in every part of their lives (Deuteronomy 6:6–7).
• To pass on the story of God’s faithfulness (Psalm 78:4)
• Discipline and nurture them in the teachings of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4).
• Let the little children come to me (Matthew 19:14).
• Participate in the community of faith, encouraging one another (Hebrews 10:24–25).

Patrick Brown was born at Davis Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, AZ on February 25^th, 1949. He became a Christian Believer when he stepped off the plane in Vietnam in 1971. Since that time, he has devoted his life to the Lord through ministering as a Sunday School teacher in various churches in Mississippi. He is a graduate of Exploding Evangelism (EE) and certified as a Gospel Evangelist Trainer. Patrick is a member on staff at Christian Grandfather Magazine in charge of Daily Devotionals. He and his wife, Sherrilyn, enjoy retirement in Ridgeland, MS. They have two Daughters, five Grandsons and two Great Grandsons.

Feature Photo by Robin Spielmann on Unsplash