1. Ephesians

2. The Church, Pattern for the Family What brings peace and unity to the congregation, brings peace and unity to the family. provides structure for GOD’S WORD SAME LAWS Family Church What is instructed for the church is the pattern for the family, and the practice of the family is to be supported in the church. 1 Timothy 3 Paul demonstrates this with one word: Children!

3. Paul Expected Children to be Present in Worship Where did he get this notion? The only source he had: SCRIPTURE Deuteronomy 29.10-12: “You stand today, all of you, before the LORD your God: your chiefs, your tribes, your elders and your officers, even all the men of Israel, your little ones, your wives, and the alien who is within your camps…that you may enter into the covenant with the LORD your God, and into His oath which the LORD your God is making with you today.” Deuteronomy 31.10-12: Then Moses commanded them, saying, “At the end of every seven years, at the time of the year of remission of debts, at the Feast of Booths…you shall read this law in front of all Israel in their hearing. Assemble the people, the men and the women and children and the alien who is in your town, in order that they may hear and learn and fear the LORD your God, and be careful to observe all the words of this law.

4. The Bible Teaches Children are Present in Worship Joshua 8.35: There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded which Joshua did not read before all the assembly of Israel with the women and the little ones and the strangers who were living among them. 2 Chronicles 20.13 Ezra 10.1: Now while Ezra was praying and making confession, weeping and prostrating himself before the house of God, a very large assembly, men, women, and children, gathered to him from Israel; for the people wept bitterly. Nehemiah 12.43: …and on that day they offered great sacrifices and rejoiced because God had given them great joy, even the women and children rejoiced, so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard from afar.

5. The Bible Teaches Children are Present in Worship Joel 2.15-17: Blow a trumpet in Zion, consecrate a fast, proclaim a solemn assembly, gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children and the nursing infants. Let the bridegroom come out of his room and the bride out of her bridal chamber. Let the priests, the LORD’S ministers, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, “Spare Thy people, O LORD, And do not make Thine inheritance a reproach, a byword among the nations. Why should they among the peoples say, ‘Where is their God?’” Luke 18.15-16: And they were bringing even their babies to Him so that He might touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they began rebuking them. But Jesus called for them, saying, “Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”

6. The Bible Teaches Children are Present in Worship Acts 20.7-12: And on the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul began talking to them…and he prolonged his message until midnight. And there was a certain young man named Eutychus sitting on the window sill…and as Paul kept on talking, he was overcome by sleep and fell down from the third floor, and was picked up dead. But Paul went down and fell upon him and after embracing him, he said, “Do not be troubled, for his life is in him.” And they took away the boy alive, and were greatly comforted. Acts 21.5: And when it came about that our days there were ended, we departed and started on our journey, while they all, with wives and children, escorted us until we were out of the city. And after kneeling down on the beach and praying, we said farewell to one another.

7. The Bible Addresses Children Directly Colossians 3.20: Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well- pleasing to the Lord. Psalm 34.11: Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

8. The Bible Addresses Children Directly All of the “My son” imperatives in the Proverbs (25) GOD SPEAKING Proverbs 3.11: My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD, or loathe His reproof… Proverbs 7.1: My son, keep my words, and treasure my commandments within you. Proverbs 23.26: Give me your heart, my son, and let your eyes delight in my ways.

9. The Bible Addresses Children Directly Ecclesiastes 11.9-10: Rejoice, young man, during your childhood, and let your heart be pleasant during the days of young manhood. And follow the impulses of your heart and the desires of your eyes. Yet know that God will bring you to judgment for all these things. So, remove vexation from your heart and put away pain from your body, because childhood and the prime of life are fleeting. Ecclesiastes 12.1: Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, “I have no delight in them…”

10. Scripture Must be Taught to Children 2 Timothy 3.14-17: You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them; and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

11. Scripture Must be Taught to Children Psalm 119.9-11: How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Thy word. With all my heart I have sought Thee; Do not let me wander from Thy commandments. Thy word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against Thee. Psalm. 127.3 –4: Behold, children are a gift of the LORD; The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; They shall not be ashamed, when they speak with their enemies in the gate.

12. The Practice of the Family The Bible teaches relationship-based child development/discipleship that is parental and familial. Deuteronomy 6.6-7: “And these words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your sons 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 up. And you shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” The local church MUST support parents in this God-given responsibility.

13. The Church Must Support the Family Corporate worship is taught by example and command. Hebrews 10.23-25: Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near. Belonging to, receiving from, and giving to a congregation is a huge part of the believer’s life in Christ.

14. The Church Must Support the Family These gatherings are to be characterized by the proclamation of the gospel and the teaching of God’s word. In our church we have: Corporate prayer 3 rounds of proclaiming God’s word music preaching communion Fellowship

15. The Church Must Support the Family The Bible clearly states that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. So, why would we segregate our young children from the opportunity to worship in the family/body; sing with the body; hear the prayers of those tested by life's trials; be taught from the word by elders appointed for their care? We wouldn’t segregate them at home.

16. The Church Must Support the Family Which will we obey? Biblechurch culture parents responsibility curriculum Teacher church’s duty teach, train, instruct, bring to maturity get them to a church w/good youth pastor & children’s programs whole counsel of God found in Bible Who knows? Whatever is popular among the kids Parents - father directedwhomever volunteers support parents in God- given responsibility relieve parents of God- given responsibility