Should I make my child go to Sunday School and Church?

Yes! Are you startled at such an abrupt answer? Why? How do you answer your daughter when she comes to breakfast on Monday morning and announces that she is not going to school? That's simple! She goes anyway. Or how about your son, after a sweaty football practice, when he lets you know he is not going to take a shower. He takes one anyway, right? So then, why are we so hesitant when it comes to spiritual discipline and growth? Why do we feel that it will "warp: or "pressure" our children if we insist on Sunday School and Church? We have no problem insisting on school attendance, homework, the dentist's office or piano practice.

Obviously, from this inconsistency, our children soon learn that we "make" them do what we think is important. Therefore, Christian Eduction and worship must not be as important as other life-style habits. In the long run, in terms of the eternal issues of our existence, is this the message we want to teach?

 

What then will we say when our children announce they do not "want" to go to Sunday School and Church? The answer is easy: be as consistent in this discipline as you are in the other important experiences of life. Tell them, "In our home, we all go to Sunday School and worship and that includes you."

 

It may not be appreciated at the moment, but an attitude of personal interest, even joy filled participation, will make an impact on the development of your value structures which will last a lifetime and beyond

The Rev. Malcolm Hughes, The Anglican Digest