text: I have a 2 year old that comes into worship twice a month {the other two Sundays we’re in charge of Children’s Church and she’s in the nursery}. Even though she doesn’t know the words yet, I love watching her dance and mouth her own words. There is nothing better than knowing he’s already doing a good work in her. I can’t wait for the day when she understands the words she’s singing.
  Our children do worship with us. I know sometimes it’s tough for them [sometimes it can be long]. But they are with us and they see us listening to the message and that makes me happy. I want Sundays to be a day for them to look forward to, the message, family and the community that church provides.
  We really try to worship with Bible studies at home with our little guys. Notice I said try? It’s not as consistent as I’d like and I end up beating myself up about it and picture my kids in prison someday b.c I didn’t read the Bible to them enough. Ha!
  This may sound strange, but I was thinking of your mom tonight before I even read this post. About her selflessness and how she serves others with such joy. What a precious gift she is to you and Erika and all of your (and Erika’s future) babies!
  Even though I haven’t met your mom, she has been an example to me of how I hope to be when my children are grown (or heck, even now). Kind, selfless, available, supportive. That role just doesn’t stop when the children are grown. Godly mothering is so valuable, especially to adult children. Our society needs more role models of Proverbs 31 women. Please tell her I said thank you for shining so brightly across your (and Erika’s) blog.
  Our 2 worship with us..I love it..I love watching them sing..especially my 2 year old, he has no idea what the words are, but I know that He is loving every minute of it! 🙂
  Our children do not worship with us but have children’s worship that is almost the same-instruments and all up in the kids class. But, I think worshipping with your kids is incredible. We do it in our small group and its great to see them examining you and see that side of you. True surrender to our King! We have the DVD from Hillsong Kids called Super Strong God that has kids worshipping with “cool” young people saying scriptures throughout that I think is awesome. The songs are so fun and easy to learn and we all sing them now. Just something extra to do at home instead of popping in a video…love your blog!
  I also feel the same about writing vs. thinking with my blog, for me I still have a block up about putting myself out there, it’s a difficult thing to publish your heart and your words for the world to see. Even though I view my blog is an outlet, I feel vulnerable and uncomfortable sometimes when writing. I ironically hold back with this ‘outlet’ that is my blog. I have yet to overcome those feelings, as a result the posts feel weak. I admire your efforts in creating touching posts and writing from your heart, taking the time when time is precious. This post was sweet, thank you! Oh, I will definitely include my children in worship when the time comes around, I’m Episcopalian and I spent Sundays as a child, with my siblings with the congregation, singing and behaving. It creates a faith and belief that lasts forever.
  I agree with Seleta about having adult role models who keep us strong and connected with our faith, but also with one another. I too, look to role models now more than ever to try and understand how I can raise my children in a loving tight knit family environ. Providing for them not only shelter, food and the rest of it but also a sense of security and faith in this crazy world where it is so easy to go astray. I dream that one day when I myself am a grandmother (how cool!) that I will be even a fraction as close to my children and their children as your mother seems to be with you and your sister and your expanding families. Here in Europe I’ve seen it a lot more, this extended but strong family unit, like a spider web… even though it may stretch over many siblings and many grandchildren it is the backbone of the family. I am blessed that my husbands family is like this, and it is a real joy and education for me to be a part of it. I think that in this way of conscious living you are even able to worship with your children and mother-in-law and husband etc… everyday, in every little thing you do while keeping this sacred bond/blessing in mind. once again, great post and food for thought! Now… about getting you and brood over here for a visit…?;-)
  Great post. Ditto on worshiping as a family! I didn’t take the time to read previous comments, so sorry if this is a “double” – have you read Parenting in the Pew? It’s such a great resource…one highlight I took from it is that teaching our children to worship is worship…the times we have to step out to correct and rebuke and discipline little ones, to train them to listen, to worship, etc. is an act of worship. It’s been a great resource and much encouragement…you can borrow my copy if you’re interested 🙂
  Thanks for not only blogging about the fun stuff that you can be pretty sure you’ll get a good response from, but also the harder stuff that you know you may get a mixed review on.
  In our church I always take my 14 month old to the nursery straight away because we have limited care workers and the rooms get capped off, but as soon as the sermon is over and I’ve taken communion I get her and she worships with us during the last couple of songs. As a family, we LOVE it, and I wish that we could have her in with us during the first part of the service too! 🙂
  The pictures are precious and we have been covered in rain as well….days and days and days of it…Our church does the same thing with the kids…they worship with us and then leave for the sermon and then return…it is a very sweet time. We go to an Episcopal Contemp. church where my husband plays in the worship band…I just love it..we grew up Baptist and Presbyterian… My favorite time in the service is when I take my children to the alter for prayer, blessings and communion…under the large cross that hangs over us…it is so sweet for me to offer my children back to the Lord and remember that they really belong to him…I love children in worship b/c I think parenting by experience and example is the best kind….Can’t wait to see the bathrooms…Mandy
  Thanks for plowing through the old brain for us–I know what you mean about spending time raking through it to decide what/how to say things.
  Our church has been toying with the children in worship concept a good bit lately. I feel like the only two options have been ALL in or ALL out. Meaning, I would spend the whole sermon trying to keep Pace entertained and quiet while not hearing a word (being fed) myself. So, I have been opposed. But, I love the idea of having the girls with me (or at least Pace :)) during the first half of the service, and then letting her go to a more kid-leveled lesson of her own.
  I love your sweet heart, D! I know that no matter where those three of yours are…they can see their mama and daddy in moments of worship! The children’s minister at our church the other day was talking about how her grandmother set an example for her by teaching her songs. She said she was always singing unto the Lord. Her mom was more quiet, but she set an example for her by just MAKING her go every Sunday. I enjoyed the post! I think teaching our children about the Lord and what He’s done for us is the most important role we have as Mama’s, so I enjoyed you taking time to spill your thoughts on the subject! 🙂
  I think you said it all so well! We love having our children in worship with us too {our church is structured a lot like yours, it sounds like}. And at night we have “family worship” {singing, reading our Bible, catachism and prayer together}. It’s my favorite part of the day. God is using your blog to share about Him and encourage other Mommas who desire to raise their children to know Jesus too. Thanks!!!
  Good topic, Darby. Our kids go to the nursery (Mary Scott is 8 mos) and Trip (4 yrs) goes to the Sunday School. This is such an impt topic as well because “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” Prov 22:6 We are all broken, by design, and for this I am thankful. I hate our sinful nature…the hardest thing I find is to live in this world and not of this world.
  We attend a Catholic church in Louisville, and at one point during Mass, the kids leave for “Children’s Worship,” and then return before communion. But, often we have our kids with us during the service. Our son is almost two, so sometimes we put him in the nursery b/c he can’t sit still! But our 4-year-old daughter enjoys Mass, especially when the children’s choir performs. Your quote from Paul in Romans resonated with me, especially as I struggle to be a good mom and wife. Have a joyful day!
  Oh D, thanks so much for sharing your thoughts, all of them fun,serious, whatever. I love reading them. I have been so excited about Palm Sunday b/c Emma Hensley will be a part of the worship service. She came to church with us all the time when she was a new baby, in fact church was the first “outing” she went on at 3 days old. Now I admit I worry that she will “disturb” but I haven’t really thought about taking her for praise time then taking her to the nursery but I think we will try it. Thanks again for always sharing your heart!
  Oh I think it’s so wonderful for children to be present during the worship. Not for them to worship, they can do that in their SS or praise or wherever…it’s so they can see their parents worship and give tithes and fellowship with other believers. It’s to be an example for our little ones on how to bring the sacrifice of Praise. But I will say this…sermon time is adults only time in my opinion. I’m very careful never to move much during the sermon. Satan will use any opportunity he can get to distract and I (nor my children) don’t want to be that tool. Anyway…just my imperfect ramblings! :0) Great post Darby!
  You really ought to read “Family Driven Faith” by Voddie Baucham. It talks about a lot of the themes you mentioned, and is extremely convicting to me as a soon-to-be parent. Oh, and sorry for the April Fool yesterday.
  We attend a Bible church (www.dentonbiblechurch.com) and we bring our 2 year old daughter in with us during worship and then take her to Sunday School. I read something in Noel Piper’s ‘Treasuring God in our Traditions’ – great book – that caused us to slow down and think about how we worship as a family. We want our daughter to see us worshiping (as an example), plus, we believe coming together as a family and slowing down to worship Him together is one of the highest and most profound ways we can bring glory to Him. And your so very right – Sunday worship is not what it’s about, it’s living our lives in the light of the Lord daily. But Sundays are wonderful to pause, hear a sermon, and be equipped to go out into the world. Great topic – great verses you shared, too!
  I attend a Southern Baptist Church and it is the norm for our children to attend worship when they are around 4 years old. Although some come earlier. My little one just turned 2 so he doesn’t come quite yet. I do feel that it is important for them to start coming to “big church” at a young age though.