Sometimes, we can forget that our spiritual safety is just as important as the physical.
In a recent Sunday school class discussion, someone commented that they knew someone who was going to let their kids decide at age twelve, if they were going to continue to attend church.
I was floored. I immediately asked those who were in attendance to raise their hands if their parents took them to church as kids. Everyone in the room raised their hand. I then asked if it was something that they wanted to do or had a choice in, everyone once again agreed. They had no choice and didn’t enjoy it. Yet, here they were as adults, in their thirties and forties, with children of their own, attending church.
Hmmm, I think I recall a Bible verse about that in Proverbs. “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:6
A twelve-year-old child is in 6th or 7th grade. Would we allow that child to stop eating vegetables if they chose to? Would we allow that child to stop doing their homework if they chose to? Would we allow that child to start staying out all night and drinking with friends? Would we allow that child to start experimenting with drugs?
These are ridiculous questions. The answer to all of them is a resounding, “no.” But, these questions deal with the physical body. What about the spiritual?
An AP poll in 2011 reported that 77% of Americans believe in angels and 88% of Christians believe in angels. If we believe in angels, then we have to believe in an unseen spiritual realm. We also have to believe that there are evil forces in that unseen realm as well.
The Bible is very clear about this in Ephesians 6:12. Paul tells us that we are “not fighting against flesh- and- blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world , and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” He then goes on to discuss the Armor of God.
So the question becomes, would we send a twelve-year-old into a spiritual battle without the backing of the Armor of God? Do we believe that a child’s soul is any less important than his physical body? As Christians, there can only be one answer to that question. The answer has to be, “no.”
I have never met a parent who regrets taking their children to church. I have met many who regret not taking their children to church. The kids may whine and complain about having to attend, but they whine and complain about eating vegetables, doing their homework and attending school, too. Some things just aren’t a choice when you are growing up. They are a necessity and the adults know best.
That’s how God set it up. What do you think about letting children decide whether to attend church or not? I’d love to hear from you.
Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂