Ben’s parents took him to church and Sunday School every Sunday. There were no questions asked. There were times when he didn’t want to go. He went anyway.
Many experts today say that you shouldn’t force children to do anything they don’t want to do. This includes going to church. “When children get old enough,” the line goes, “they can make their own decisions.”
A goose, when it is born, immediately looks for its mother. “The first thing I see,” the goose’s instinct assumes, “is my mother.” It follows Mom and does what Mom does.
Scientists have done some experimentation. They have switched the mother goose with a dog. The baby goose will follow the dog and will imitate the dog. Even in the presence of another goose, it will follow “Mom.”
Children are impressionable. By taking them to church and Sunday School, we give them something special for the rest of their lives. God says, “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it” (Proverbs 22:6).
Ben’s parents gave him the greatest gift they could. They valued God’s Word. By taking him to church and Sunday School every week, they taught him to value God’s Word too.
Ben grew up knowing he was special because God loved him. He can’t remember a time when he didn’t know Jesus was his Savior.
Now it is Ben’s turn. He has the opportunity to take his three-year-old to Sunday School. He also takes his one-year-old to church.
Ben doesn’t threaten his children. He doesn’t have to. They want to go with him. They like learning about Jesus. They love singing the hymns and other songs.
There is no greater gift that parents can give their children.
Pastor R.