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In modern evangelicalism, it is almost impossible for some to imagine church life without dedicated youth and children ministries. But what are the foundations of this modern innovation? What has been its fruit? In this video, Voddie Baucham answers a series of questions on the history, foundation, and outcome of the modern youth ministry movement.

Is there a specific text that commands the New Testament Church to keep their children in the congregation on the Lord's Day? No there isn't. However, a survey of the Bible shows that the consistent patterns of God's people under both Covenants was one of age-integrated discipleship where families brought their children in to participate in the community of faith.

I’ve been pastoring in Vancouver for roughly twelve years now, preaching close to 1000 sermons, to over 50 nationalities, with people of various backgrounds and theological understanding in the pews. And 100s of children (ages 0-13) have been present. We are a Presbyterian church and, as such, believe children belong to the kingdom of God (Matt. 19:14). For us, there really is no question whether children belong in the worship service (Eph. 6:1). It would make more sense for me to cut off my right leg than it would for me to tell my children to leave the worship service (see 1 Cor. 12). As a preacher and a father of four young children, few things have given me more delight in this world than singing with my children in the worship service and looking at them when I’m preaching knowing that they are hearing and listening to the preached word of God. As Presbyterians, besides the fact that we believe worship is a privilege for God’s people, regardless of age, sex, race, class, etc., we also believe there is a unique God-ordained power in the preached Word that transforms the people of God (2 Cor. 3:18). The preached Word has a unique power to “make alive” and “build up,” such that willfully removing ourselves from such a blessing is to remove us from the primary means God has ordained for our salvation (Rom. 10:14ff.). Naturally, when I came across an article offering reasons why one church “let the little ones go from the worship service,” I was rather disappointed. The author (Pastor Paul Carter) “believe[s] in the transforming power of the preached Word of God,” but his church sends those under the age of 10 to Sunday School where, I assume, adults teach and thus also miss out on the preached Word. The implication is that this transforming power is better reserved for those over the age of 10. According to his experience, having “little ones in the service works against the smooth operation of that process” because “every fussing toddler is surrounded by a 20 person circle of distraction” and “of course, no one is listening to the sermon.” Children are “distraction factories,” and so need to be removed for the common good! As a pastor, I would say that much of my own efforts in sermon preparation are geared towards making the sermon simple enough for both children and adults to understand. Having pastored in a church that allows all ages to worship in the sanctuary, I have found that having children

This is the most important question that a man can ask. How do we break this down for a child? The best way to begin is to think about how we know one another. We might know things about a person without personally knowing the individual. The only way we can know each other is to communicate with one another. In the Bible, God communicates to us. So we go to the Bible to hear what God says about Himself and us. This is how we learn who He is. But there is still a breakdown in this relationship. Something has to be overcome so that we can truly know God. The Bible tells of Jesus Christ. We read the Word of God, learn who Jesus is, go to Him as a sinner, and pray that the Holy Spirit would teach us to know God through Christ. "And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." - John 17:3

Kirk Smith explains in this video that parents can be guilty to confuse the world's definition of masculinity and femininity with what the Bible says about the same. The Bible provides many descriptions and examples of what a man and a woman look like and how they act. Parents need to bring their children to Scripture. Genesis 1:27 (NKJV) - "So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them."

Rob Tart explains in this video that one of the most important things that a parent should work towards is to win the heart of their child. If they do not have the heart of their child, it is very difficult to maintain a harmonious relationship with a child and to pursue shared goals together. To win the heart of a child, parents need to listen, care for their children, and affirm them when applicable. Proverbs 17:22 (NKJV) - "A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones."

Joel Beeke explains in this video that the most important thing to do when raising children is family worship. Fathers should talk with their children about the things of God, read Scripture, and pray with their children. Through these times of Bible reading, study, and prayer, families can discuss a multitude of subjects and glimpse what God's perspective is on each. Deuteronomy 28:1-2 (NKJV) - "Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God."

Joel Beeke explains in this video that if a child doesn't want to participate in family worship, a father might have to lovingly but firmly tell that child that they need to attend family worship. We are spiritually nourished through family worship. Accordingly, we must help them to see the importance and value of it. Psalm 119:105 (NKJV) - "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."

David Fry explains in this video what to do if children question their parents' faith or lifestyle. Fathers need to be humble enough to let their children know that if they feel that their father is teaching something that isn't biblical, they should ask questions. It is a good thing when we are continually evaluating what we hear and see. On the other hand, it is not good when children resent their parents and despise gatherings of the church. Acts 17:10-11 (NKJV) - "Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so."

Trent Moody explains in this video that we see that God says that children are a blessing from the Lord even in the first book of the Bible -- Genesis. Scripture everywhere speaks positively of children. They are to be seen by us a blessing and not a curse or a hindrance. Psalm 127:3-5 (NKJV) - "Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with their enemies in the gate."

Joel Beeke shares in this video that one thing that one thing that they did in their family was to speak well of the church to their children. He didn't want them to grow up with the idea that the church wasn't important or was something to be resented. The same thing can apply to marriage and how you speak to your spouse. Our children are listening and paying attention to how we view and treat both the church and our marriage. Romans 16:17 (NKJV) - "Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them."

When the church is temporarily banned from meeting by the government, what should Christians do? How do we keep ourselves thinking biblically while our church is not meeting face to face? How do we resist drifting into accepting that not meeting together is ok? How do we vaccinate ourselves against it?  There is nothing better than to fill our minds with the knowledge of God, “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” (Col 3:1–3). It’s pretty simple: be fortified by every God has provided us, outside the meetings of the Church. Charles Spurgeon explained this by declaring that God Himself is our sanctuary. Everything is not taken away. We have Him. We have the Holy Spirit. We have many means of grace offered to us.