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Deut 16:13-17
This morning we considered some issues in child-rearing, showing that we are to raise children to serve, to rule, to have wisdom they can communicate with others. Many aspects of raising children are fairly intangible. We not only teach and exercise discipline, but we work to create a certain atmosphere in the home, an atmosphere of affection, joy, and discipline. We do this through singing, telling stories at the dinner table, conversation, jokes and laughter.
But none of these are means of grace as such, none are ordained by Christ as specific gifts for our sanctification. It is my conviction that we can raise children in the fullness of Christian faith only when they are included at the Lords table from an early age. This is the pattern of the OT feasts, as we see in Deuteronomy 16. The children of the children of Israel were included in all the meals that included their parents. They ate, drank, and rejoiced along with their parents.
Over the last millennium of church history, this is a minority position. For centuries, the churches, including many Reformed churches, have excluded children from the table. I believe this has been a horrible blight on the churchs life, and that it has to be challenged and changed. Here at Trinity, we follow the practice of Christ Church and do require that parents talk to the elders before giving their children communion; but we admit very young children to the table, some well under 2 years. I encourage those who have not brought your young children to the eldersEattention to do so.
As you raise your children, by all means make sure that they are part of family meals and family celebrations. But even more importantly, make sure they are part of the meal of Gods family, of which they are a part.
posted by Peter J. Leithart on Sunday, May 16, 2004 at 08:37 AM
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