PRIORITY OF WORSHIP
The Priority of Worship and What It Means for Our Children
If worship is not made a consistent priority, our children will likely come to view it as optional or altogether unnecessary. Their first encounters with church life often shape how they will relate to God and to fellowship as adults. When the family's schedules and attitudes make gathering with God’s people nonnegotiable, children learn to value worship as a core part of their lives. On the other hand, when the opposite is shown, they quickly pick up on the message that worship is no more important than anything else.
Scripture speaks plainly regarding this behavior. Hebrews 10:25 urges us, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Brethren, the text does not brand worship as something that is unnecessary or even secondary, but rather it elevates any assembling of the brethren as a priority. This discipline fortifies our faith and strengthens our love for the brethren in the body of Christ. Even under the law of Moses, parents were commanded to keep God’s words in their hearts and diligently teach them to their children, “And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children” (Deuteronomy 6:6–7). In other words, the attitude of worship begins in the home and extends into the gathering of the church. Proverbs 22:6 shows us the importance of raising children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Solomon writes, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” When we as parents demonstrate faithfulness through consistent attendance, participation in church functions, and reverent worship, the children learn from our example and carry those habits into adulthood.
Worship is more than sitting and listening. It is lifting our voices in praise from hearts that are full of thankfulness. The psalmist calls us to “serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.” (Psalm 100:2). Children are like sponges, and they absorb the attitudes of their parents, whether it be gratitude, humility, and responsibility, or unconcerned, selfish, and greedy. As they sit and observe the worship, they witness not only their parents but also other adults offering prayers and praises to God. They will observe not only someone leading in worship but also the love and fellowship of the brethren, and they will feel the sense of belonging to a church family. Early experiences of confessing sin, offering praise, partaking of the Lord’s Supper, and hearing the Word preached can anchor a child’s life forever.
The impact of worship on children also extends far beyond the here and now. Worship helps mold their sense of identity, especially within the church. When families prioritize church gatherings over holidays, vacations, ball games, and other activities, children see themselves as integral members of an active congregation of God’s people. They learn to bear one another’s burdens, to rejoice in one another’s victories, and to stand with others through difficult times and help them overcome the trials that they face. It is so much more than growing up learning to be part of a community larger than themselves - it’s learning to be part of the body of Christ, and it’s about growing up on the straight and narrow. In Acts 2:42 we see that the early church modeled this pattern by “continuing steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” Regular worship reinforces shared beliefs, builds lasting relationships, and anchors young minds in the truth of God’s Word.
A family that makes worship a habit, or better yet, a priority, will prepare their hearts and plan around the assembly. A family that not only does that but also involves their children in songs, prayers, Scripture reading, and service opportunities reinforces the lesson that worship is not merely what we do, but who we are as Christians.
May we ever model the priority of worship for our children, and trust God to shape their hearts through the discipline of making worship a priority, and service through humble obedience.
~ Casey Clement