Parents, Please Force Your Kids To Go To Church

Some parents don’t want to force their kids to go to church.  If their kids don't want to go, they let them stay home.  If that's you, then let me explain why you should definitely start forcing your kids to go to church.  

If you are a good parent, then you force your kids to do things all the time: 

• to go to school; 
• to do their homework; 
• to go to bed on time; 
• to clean their room; 
• to do chores around the house; 
• to go to the dentist; 
• to visit their grandparents; 
• to attend "boring" weddings and funerals; 
• to say “Yes ma’am,” “Please,” and “Thank you”; 
• to practice good manners at the table, etc.  

If you force your kids to do things all the time, then why can't you force them to go to church?  

Why do you force your kids to do some things?  Because you know that your kids need them.  You know that those things will benefit your kids.  You also know that your kids don’t always know what’s best for them (because they are kids), and even when they do they don’t always have the maturity to do what they should.  That's why they need parents.  Parents are needed to force kids to do what they should even when they don’t feel like it.  If you don't force your kids to do what they should, you are neglecting your parental duty, and sadly, your child will suffer the consequences.  If your kids don't want to go to church, it's either because they don't realize they need it, or because they don't feel like going even though they know they should.  That's why they need you.  They're not ready to be in charge.  Step up and be the parent.  

When you force your kids to do something, you are teaching them it is important.  It's essential.  It's worth doing even if it is uncomfortable, unpleasant, and inconvenient.  In other words, when you force your kids to do something, you are teaching them your values -- the things that you think are valuable.  In so doing you hope that eventually your kids will come to understand those values and adopt them for themselves.  On the other hand, when you don't force your kids to do something, you are teaching them that it is unimportant; optional; unessential; unnecessary.  So, what do you want to teach your kids about church?  That it is important or unimportant?  Essential or non-essential?  Mandatory or optional?  

I'm so thankful that I grew up with a "drug" problem.  My loving parents were wise enough to "drag" me to church every Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night.  We didn't miss church.  Never once did we miss church for sickness, or sports, or anything else for that matter.  My parents never had to decide what we were going to do on Sunday; it was pre-decided.  Sundays were for God.  And because of their example and leadership I became a Christian and learned how make my life all about Jesus Christ. 

So, this Sunday morning, get those kids out of bed and get them to church.  And if they don't want to go, force them anyway.