God never designed worship to be split by age. His people are called to gather together as one body before Him. Fathers, mothers, and children alike are meant to stand under the Word, sing His praise, and learn His ways together.
In the Old Testament, children were not dismissed when the covenant was renewed. They were included:
“Assemble the people, the men and the women and children and the sojourner who is within your gates, that they may hear and learn and fear Yahweh your God and be careful to do all the words of this law.” (Deuteronomy 31:12)
In the New Testament, Paul expected children to be in the congregation as the letters were read: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right” (Ephesians 6:1). If they were not present, he would not have spoken to them directly.
Children belong in worship. They need to hear the same Scriptures, sing the same psalms, and witness the same sacraments as the whole church. This is how they learn what it means to belong to Christ’s people. Removing them from the assembly weakens families and teaches children that the most important time of the week is not truly theirs.
Jesus said, “Let the children come to Me, and do not hinder them” (Matthew 19:14). The most direct way we obey Him here is by keeping our children with us as we come to Him in worship. It may be harder. It may be noisier. But it is God’s design, and it is a blessing.
Reformation begins not by finding programs to take our children elsewhere, but by training them patiently at our side in the gathered assembly.
Semper Reformanda
Some say, “Children can’t understand.” But God calls them to be present under His Word, knowing the Spirit works even in the little ones (Romans 10:17). Others say, “They distract.” But the Lord calls parents to train them diligently (Deuteronomy 6:6–7), not to remove them. A noisy child in worship is not a distraction, it is a sign of God’s blessing and a field for discipleship.
Truth That Withstands
The gathered church is the whole family of God. Children are not outsiders waiting until they are grown; they are covenant members who belong with us before His throne. To bring them near is obedience, and to keep them near is joy. This is God’s pattern for His people, and it is beautiful.
Shortlink: reformlet.com/children