What's the Big Deal? Big Church and Kids

Have you ever wondered why “big Church” is a big deal? It’s because it really matters, especially whenever it comes to the family. Oftentimes, Big Church is dismissed for online service or because of “time” restraints. But, the question we must ask is this: what does this teach our grandkids, kids, foster kids, or other church members when we dismiss “big Church”? The term big church is in quotations because that is how some kids refer to the gathering of the saints for singing, preaching, observing the ordinances, or a testimony, depending on the church one attends. Whatever we model for the next generation is more than likely how they will turn out or what they will see as important to them, which will be passed on from generation to generation.

There are 3 main reasons why the big church is a big deal and must not be missed. First, big church teaches our kids how to continue worshiping outside the home. Second, big church gives our kids the opportunity to be a part of something bigger than just their normal programming to see how the body of Christ comes together. Third, big church points to what heaven will be like one day. We must not sell our children short of big church by sending them only to Sunday school, life group, or small group, without ever attending corporate worship as a family.

Big church teaches our kids how to continue worshiping outside the home. As a parent, it should be of utmost importance that your family worships Christ in the home, just as you would in Church. In fact, the way we engage on Sunday morning can be a direct reflection of how we worship outside the coming together of the saints on the Lord’s day. Our children get the opportunity to observe the ordinances, the preaching, and  the singing whenever they attend big church. What happens whenever our children miss this happening? Our children and students begin to formulate what church is and why we attend, which isn’t for groups, and then head to lunch or home early.  We must not neglect the habit of meeting together and worshipping our Savior. Will you commit to attending “big church” with your family and your children alongside their small group, life group, or programming? We must not forgo teaching our students, as a family, what it means to worship together.

The gathering of the saints has to be more than goldfish and doughnuts coupled with Bible lessons taught by our phenomenal leaders. Whenever our children attend big church, they observe a multigenerational and congregational aspect that they would not otherwise receive had they not come off the hallways. We give our students and children something bigger to look forward to, something bigger than themselves. Imagine it with me. Your child sees preaching and, as a result, draws the Pastor who is singing or a person playing the piano or organ. Then, your child becomes of age to play one of those instruments, all because she heard the melody of all the instruments and voices together singing to our King! Big church shares the vision of nonstop encouragement to keep plowing ahead and to lift our heads up whenever we feel alone, ashamed, torn, worn, and afraid. Will you commit to allowing your student to experience something beyond themselves and to observe the most important ordinances that are foundational to our faith? Some of our children have received the Holy Spirit, too. You know? Allow them to participate in what should honestly matter to them just as much as it matters to you.

Imagine seeing the King and all the saints worshipping with no children ever present. I do recall the Savior saying, "Let the children come to Him," whenever the disciples tried to send them away (Matt. 19:13-15). If Jesus wants the children to come to Him, why should we keep the children and students from seeing Him at work in big church? We should allow our kids to see us modeling Revelation 7:9-12. Our children will one day be in that crowd worshipping in Heaven. There is too much at stake for missing big church and what it could be teaching our kids subliminally. Will you commit to rebuking the enemy whenever he tells you your student or children do not need to attend church?

We have an opportunity to help our students overcome their fear of big church when they go to college, since they never attended one back home. Let’s reshape the narrative and the generational impact. Start this journey today with your family by choosing and scheduling them to attend their group or programming, and then attending worship together as a family. Heed the warning, lest we have another generation that refuses to attend “big church”.