Take children to church
Rev. Norbert Tegtmeier
Friday, September 21, 2007
Children are a precious gift from God. Now granted, there are days and times where you may doubt that statement but, even then, they are precious gifts from God. Parents have this awesome responsibility of nurturing and caring for those children. From the very moment these children are born, they are in need of a parent’s care. It is very obvious in those first few years when they can’t feed themselves, they can’t change their own diapers, they can’t crawl in and out of bed on their own. And although it may not be as obvious when they are 16, it is still very true. Children need a parent’s care. Now, that care may come in various ways. Children have a need for their parents to provide the daily needs of life. They need food and clothes and shelter as well as many other things for their own physical well-being.
But the care that I would like to encourage in parents is the responsibility the Lord has given us. Our heavenly Father says to us earthly parents, “Train a child in the way that he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” (Proverbs 22:6) That “training” of a child is the responsibility of mom and dad. Moms and dads need to be the parents.
I like to pay attention to how parents and children interact. So often I see children setting the boundaries. I see children telling their parents, “this is what I’m going to do.”
Parents, we need to take our responsibility seriously and be the parent. Set some boundaries for your children from the very day they are born. Don’t wait till they are 16 and then try to set those boundaries. Do it when they are 2. God has given you that charge.
Most often our children learn by example. Have you ever heard someone say, “he/she is a chip off the old block?” Many times children will do and say the things their parents do and say.
What do your children see in you? What do your children hear from you? Do you pray with them? Do you sit down and read God’s Word with them? Do you take them to Sunday School and worship? Jesus says, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:14)
Jesus can and does make a difference in the lives of people. He gives us strength and courage in the difficult times of life. He fills us with hope when the world around us seems hopeless. He forgives when we fail. He promises us life even as we face the hour of death. That’s why He came into our world. That’s why He went the way of the cross, so that we, moms, dads and children, might have life in His name. Teach your child the love of Jesus through your words and your actions.
You may have seen or heard these words: “Take time to talk, make time to listen.” Emporians for Drug Awareness are encouraging parents to take time to talk and make time to listen. Parents, the most important and loving thing you can do for your children is to take the time to talk with them, even it is only 15 minutes a day.
Sit down next to them on their beds before they go to sleep and ask them about their day. Give them words of encouragement. Find something good to say to them everyday. And then listen. Listen to their concerns. Listen to their joys. Listen without passing judgment. Pray with and for your child. “Take time to talk, make time to listen.”
As parents, there are so many things that demand our time. Not one of them is more important than the time you spend with your child.
Be that Christlike example to your children. Put Jesus at the center of your life.
P.S. Take your children to worship on Sunday and midweek on Wednesday!
F “Sunday Sermon” is a forum for Emporia area ministers to share their sermons, thoughts and observations. This week’s sermon is from the Rev. Norbert Tegtmeier, pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church.