My Answer: Are children too young for church?
Q: What good does it do to bring our young children to church? They’re too young to get anything out of it and I know their constant squirming must be a distraction to others.
— Mrs. N.B.
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A: Many churches have nurseries for babies and young children; if yours doesn’t, you might volunteer to help get one started. Other parents would probably appreciate it also.
However, don’t conclude that children never get anything out of church. No, they might not get much out of the sermon, but they’ll have an opportunity to learn hymns, and they will also realize that God listens when his people pray. They’ll also understand that God is real, and one reason you and the other members of your church come together each week is so you can learn about him. Jesus promised, “Where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” (Matthew 18:20).
Most of all, your children will learn that God is important to you. Don’t underestimate the importance of your example! Telling them about Jesus is important, but just as important is demonstrating your faith in Christ by the way you live. The Bible says, “In everything set them an example by doing what is good” (Titus 2:7).
Don’t, however, express your faith to them only once a week. Instead, make Christ part of your family’s life every day. Before every meal, thank God for your food; take time at night to read to them from a child’s Bible storybook; teach your children a few simple prayers. God has given them to you; ask him to help you give them a strong spiritual foundation. Then, the Bible says, “we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ” (Ephesians 4:15).
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Q: I get out of prison in a few months, but my wife has left me and my children don’t want anything to do with me. I don’t know what I’m going to do. I know I need to start over, but I don’t know how. I never thought my life would turn out like this.
— P.H.
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A: One of life’s hardest lessons is that bad decisions always have bad consequences — always. We think we can get by with doing something we know is wrong, but even if we escape for a time, eventually it catches up with us. The Bible puts it this way: “You may be sure that your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23).
Why do I say this? Not to put you down or make you feel bad; you’ve already paid your debt to society, and I pray you’ll be able to learn from your past and put it behind you. You can’t change the past, but with God’s help you can change the future.
This is why the most important step you can take is to commit your life to Christ and put your future into his hands. Don’t face the future without him! God loves you and knows all about your fears and heartaches. God’s promise is for you: “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jeremiah 29:11).
How will God guide you? It may be through the counseling I hope you’ll receive before you’re released, or through your prison’s chaplain. In addition, once you’re released, ask God to guide you to a church where you’ll be welcomed, and can grow closer to Christ.
Send your queries to “My Answer,” c/o Billy Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C., 28201; call 1-(877) 2-GRAHAM, or visit https://www.billygraham.org.