I have always believed in taking children to church because with instruction in the word of God we can learn to manifest the fruit of the spirit as well as christian morals and values in our lives. But to find pediatricians, sociologist and Harvard graduates to back up what I knew was true all along was exciting because if people won't believe the word of God or me or their local pastor maybe they'll believe these people. Some of the benefits of taking children to church that were PROVEN are: (1) Children learn that they are here for a purpose. (2) Children learn that they are important and have strengths, talents and things to offer as an individual. (3) Not taking children to church leaves them vulnerable to be led astray in self-destructive behaviors. (4) Children learn to have self-control. (5) Children exhibit better behavior and are happier in general. (6) Children show more respect towards grown-ups. (7) Children have better social skills. (8) Children have better approaches to learning. (9) Children show more respect towards their peers. (10) Children and parents have a social network of social support. (11) Children and parents have a more optimistic attitude. When you go to church you hear about the great things that God is doing. I love hearing praise reports given by other church members. My own are fascinating but it is a blessing to hear about others as well. Going to church gives you something great to do with your kids and if you go to a church like mine we enjoy music, praise and worship together and then children have their own children's church while parents relax and enjoy theirs. And at church their are many social events to enjoy. God intended for us to be a social people, to have 'church family', to help each other, to serve God together, to pull together in times of crisis and times of joy and to uplift one another.
According to God's word we are to assemble ourselves together with like-minded believers (in Him). (1) 1 Peter 3:8 Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. (2) Philippians 2:2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing whole heartedly with each other, loving one another, and working with one mind and purpose. (3) Romans 15:5 May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. (4) 2 Corinthians 13:11 Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you. (5) Hebrews 10:25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
Not only do we have a social support group at church in times of need but also to help us stay straight, to hold us accountable so as to strengthen us in the Lord. Our church family is there to uplift us. (1) 2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. (2) 1 Thessalonians 5:11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. (3) You must warn each other every day, while it is still 'today' so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. (4) 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. (5) Hebrews 10:24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. (6) Colossians 2:2-3 I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God's mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
If you don't have a church I strongly urge you to find one. The benefits of you and your children becoming an active member of the body of Christ and in your family in Christ are endless. I prayed for God to lead me to the church that he wanted me to become a member of, where I could grow and serve and he did. By God's grace, my loving church family who is family in God's sense of the word, me being true to God in serving him and my fellow believers, the word of God that I have learned and so much more I have grown so much, overcome more than I thought possible and am working to fulfill God's plans for me as an individual commissioned to tell others about the gospel as we all are. God is my everything and everyone to me. If you have been hurt by a church member remember that they are human just like you and the devil will seize any opportunity to hurt you and to convince you to stop going to church and serving him. Pray for them and love them the way Christ loves us. You don't have to let people who are working out their own problems and growing in their relationship with God to hurt you, use you or manipulate you but you are required to love with a godly love which shows others what Jesus' love looks like. If we reject people and stop assembling ourselves with others how are we going to uplift one another and help one another and serve God in his family, our family in Christ. Pray for your adversary's and for peace and leave the rest up to God. We are all people with all these things we've been through, grown up in, been hurt by or let down by...we're all human and need to be loved and when you remain in church you give God the opportunity to use you to help that person grow as a person and a member of God's family. So keep loving. Teach your children to love. Follow God and serve him. You don't serve people in the sense that you are their servant to obey their command but you serve God doing what he has called you to do and that is a privilege.
Just like the K-love challenge to listen to their channel (or any Christian channel) to help you to become more happy, healthy and to heal try a church challenge. Give it a try for six months. Be diligent, go at least Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights and stay for the whole service each time. Don't let anything or anyone to dissuade you because the devil will look for any little toe hold where he can get in and prevent you from receiving the benefits and blessing from going to church. Just try it. I promise you that you will not lose anything and that you will gain a whole lot more than you ever imagined. And don't wait for God to drop a brick on your head when you ask him to lead you...follow your heart.
Written by Lisa Clewis October 23, 2018
