Teaching Your Children to Worship
We recently hung out with some friends with two young children. While we were talking, their little girl had to take a break from playing to use the bathroom. Not sure she wanted to be alone in the dark or because she was afraid she'd miss something, the little girl left the door open just a crack. That's when we heard the most adorable thing.
The entire living room went quiet as we all listened to this five-year-old belting out her new favorite new song. And she knew every word! She started singing all over again when she got sent back into the bathroom to wash her hands.
What was the song she was singing?
Well, it wasn't a children's song or the theme song to "Frozen." Instead, she'd just learned the praise and worship song, "Lord, I lift Your Name on High." Listening to this tiny little voice belt out this classic worship tune was absolutely adorable. (Because I'm a big softy, it melted my heart.)
Later on, I started thinking, "Where was such a little girl learn all the words to that song?"
She learned it at home, where her parents listen to praise and worship music all the time.
You see, our friends don't believe in listening to secular music. They believe in filling their house morning and night with praise and worship music. Praise and worship music comes naturally not only to them but to their children, also.
Here's the thing: it isn't just the mother who is dedicated to playing Christian music in their house all the time. I've heard my friend, their father, talk about his conviction and ask that only Christian music be played around his family. And I admire his stand.
He is acknowledging that he wants his house to be filled with worship. Setting the example, he is training up his children in the way they should go and teaching them to be worshipers of God. He's not just telling them what to do, but setting a legendary example.
What about you?
Are you teaching your children to worship God by being a worshipper?
Do your children see you singing along, raising your hands, and worshipping God in church?
Do they observe you listening to praise and worship and singing in your home or car?
Are you demonstrating to them that you are grateful for all God has done in your life by worshipping Him?
The fact is that children model what they see more than what they are told.
If you want your kids to worship God, set the example.
Memory Verse: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 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. (Deuteronomy 6:5-7, ESV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Comments