Supreme Special: Why Children Behave the Way They do in Church?
We expect our children to respect us and other adults and be of good conduct in places like restaurants, recreational parks, parties, meetings, at schools, when we go shopping. Why when in church , during service/ worship that is far more important than all of these venues we have mentioned , we would not require […]
We expect our children to respect us and other adults and be of good conduct in places like restaurants, recreational parks, parties, meetings, at schools, when we go shopping. Why when in church , during service/ worship that is far more important than all of these venues we have mentioned , we would not require them to act appropriately? If as parents we expect and ensure that our children are of good conduct in every other place except the church, then what impression are we giving to the children about the church, the importance of the church to humanity, respect / reverence for GOD?
I tell you , if you decide to train up your child to behave appropriately in church, you will be marveled at the benefits that accompanies such decision. One example of such benefits is raising humble children with reverence/respect for GOD. This is Awesome!!!!! You may say , does Mrs Tamuno expect me to force my 2year old baby to seat and concentrate in church when he does not know what is happening? Mrs. Tamuno is also aware that must be children , and she also knows that the way children behave in church differ. Nobody expects a 2year old baby to seat quietly, ask questions when necessary and take notes, neither is it ideal for an 8year old girl to be running around when message or worship is ongoing. Remember what Proverbs 22:6 says about “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it”. Dakes Annotated Reference Bible.
Start telling them from childhood that the church is a place we go to worship GOD, a place we service our spirit man, a place we maintain decorum and as such we have to pay attention to everything that is done there. Sit quietly, take notes appropriately, listen to sermon attentively and act same as parents. (Especially mothers, because children behave like their parents especially their mothers)
The best way to get your child to behave well in church is by having a proper church behavior as a parent or as a caregiver. Whatever the child see you do in church is what the child would do. Do you pay attention during church service or you are in the habit of always discussing with your husband or friend when message is going on, do you comment on members choice of fashion, compare your make up with others, are you on Facebook, Instagram or WhatsApp chatting up friends during service instead of settling in to partake of the blessings? Your child would do same and think it is acceptable. www.michellesley.com.
I agree with James Baldwin that said “Children have never been good at listening to elders, but they have never failed to imitate them”. Parents please train your child in church the way you would in any other venue or situation.
In conclusion, the way teachers in school administers appropriate discipline when a child acts otherwise, parents do at home when a child go contrary to the rules, is the same way you let your child know the behavior expected of him in church. Acknowledge him when he does well, discipline him when he is found wanting. Parents can be the most powerful influence in their child’s life
Krystal IBHADE Tamunosiki
08034871965; 08075554712