Do Kids Belong in Big Church?

For nearly 2,000 years of Christian history, this wasn't even a debated question. When the church gathered for worship, the whole family gathered together. But today, many parents wrestle with what Sunday mornings should look like for their children.

In this episode of Family Vision, Dr. Rob and Amy Rienow explore what Scripture, church history, and personal experience reveal about children in corporate worship. From Old Testament feasts to New Testament letters addressed directly to children, the biblical pattern consistently points toward multi-generational worship.

But this conversation goes deeper than logistics. It's about long-term discipleship, heart connection to the church body, and whether our children truly feel seen, valued, and spiritually formed within the gathered church.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

- What the Bible reveals about children participating in corporate worship - Why this question did not exist for most of church history - How separating children from the main service may impact long-term faith - The difference between having kids present and truly valuing them - Practical encouragement for parents navigating Sunday mornings

Scriptures Referenced:

Exodus 12, Deuteronomy 16, Joshua 8, Joel 2, Ephesians 6:1–3, Colossians 3:20

Resources:

Visionary Church – Discover how your church can strengthen families and the next generation. Start reading for free: https://visionaryfam.com/church

Not So Perfect Mom – Encouragement for mothers seeking to raise their children with eternal purpose. Start reading for free: https://visionaryfam.com/mom

Support the Philippines Mission Trip – Help provide clean water filters and share the Gospel. Donate at: https://visionaryfam.com/hope (Type "Filter" in the notes section)

Join the Visionary Family Community – Become part of a global community of families committed to following Jesus: https://visionaryfam.com

Upcoming Events – Visionary Family Conferences and Family Camp details: https://visionaryfam.com/events

Connect With Us:

We would love to hear from you. Send your questions or prayer requests to podcast@visionaryfam.com. Our prayer team would be honored to pray for your family.