Bringing children to church is both a privilege and a responsibility. Scripture shows that children were always part of God’s congregational worship. From the days of Moses to the New Testament, little ones stood before the Lord with their families. They are not only welcome in church, they are essential. But how can we teach children to behave properly in God’s house?

Why Children Belong in Church

1. Children Can Learn Spiritual Truth
Jesus thanked God for revealing His truth to “babes” (Matthew 11:25). Timothy knew the Scriptures from childhood (2 Timothy 3:15), and Samuel learned to serve the Lord as a young child (1 Samuel 1:22-28). Parents are commanded to diligently teach their children God's Word (Deuteronomy 6:6-7). Children are capable of learning and should be included in the full worship experience.

2. Children Need Their Parents' Supervision
Little ones are safest when close to their parents. No nursery worker or separate class knows your child like you do. The Bible encourages gentle parental guidance (1 Thessalonians 2:7) and protection (Proverbs 1:10-19). Bringing them to church is an act of nurturing care.

3. Children Must Learn to Grow Up in Worship
Church trains children how to fear the Lord and behave reverently. Psalm 131:2 compares a quiet spirit to a weaned child—mature and at peace. If children learn to worship early, they will likely continue faithfully as adults.

How to Train Children for Church

1. Train Them Before Church
Family devotions at home prepare children for public worship. Make home your "training ground" so church can be the place for participation, not discipline. Expecting children to behave at church without prior training is unrealistic. Even expectant mothers are encouraged to attend regularly (Hebrews 10:25; Luke 1:15).

2. Involve Them in Worship
Children should:

• Stand during songs and prayers

• Sing with joy and enthusiasm (Psalm 111:1)

• Pray with bowed heads, learning reverence

• Use a Bible to follow along

• Take notes during sermons if they are able

3. Teach Them to Focus

• Give simple instructions like, “Listen carefully,” or “Be still.”

• Avoid media that harms attention spans, like excessive TV or games.

• Model attentiveness yourself.

Discipline During Church

Parents must guide their children during the service and correct misbehavior privately and promptly. Proverbs teaches that discipline, done early and consistently, delivers children from harm (Proverbs 13:24; 19:18). Disobedience should not go unchecked. Take the child outside if needed, discipline calmly, and return when appropriate.

Encourage Children After Church

Children should love going to church. Help them associate church with joy, growth, and love by:

• Commending them for good behavior

• Talking about what they learned

• Rewarding them occasionally for attentiveness

Helpful Tips for Church-Training

• Dress children respectfully to reflect the solemnity of worship.

• Feed them well beforehand, avoiding sugar to reduce restlessness.

• Sit in a location suited to your family’s needs.

• Arrive early to settle in and review expectations.

• Discourage distractions like toys or naps during the service.

• Never leave children unattended.

Note to Parents:
Children can and should learn to behave in church. With prayer, consistency, and biblical parenting, your sons and daughters can grow to be examples among believers. Just as Timothy was well reported of by the brethren (Acts 16:2), so too can your children shine in God’s house.