OK, I know that Christianity is more than church attendance. I know that if your life is built around serving God, missing a service or two isn’t going to kill you. But what if missing one makes it easier to miss two? What if two becomes a habit? What if its pretty comfortable to go to a game instead of the Sunday assembly? What about a practice over your church’s bible study? Will that kill you… spiritually?
If you are facing the decision to sign up for a sport that will take your child away from your church’s scheduled meeting times, ask yourself these questions?
What is my child learning?
You might think, my kid is learning how to be part of a team. You show up when your team needs you and you follow through with your commitment. That’s what being a team player is all about.
What about being on God’s team? Do the same rules apply?
We must not quit meeting together, as some are doing. No, we need to keep on encouraging each other. This becomes more and more important as you see the Day getting closer. Heb. 10:25
Where would my child rather be?
In the world or with the church? Does my child naturally prefer Christians? Will this sport hurt or help this cause?
Give preference to one another in honor. Rom. 12:10
What is more important?
We are fighting against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly places. Eph 6:12
I am in the middle of a spiritual battle for my child’s soul, which one will preserve my child’s holiness?
What has more eternal value?
Which activity will be of more benefit in 10 years or in a 100 years from now?
We must always examine our life through the lenses of eternity. No one is more aware of the nearness of eternity than a mother who has buried a child. I think about it every day. What if eternity is around the corner for your child?
Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. James 4:14
Where does God want me?
“If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison–your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters–yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple.“ Luke 14:26
Because the LORD’s name is Jealous—he’s a jealous God. Ex. 34:14
I know God wants me to be totally and completely his. He wants me to give my children totally and completely to him. Which choice will do that? Which one will bring God the most glory?
Where does the devil want me?
For we wanted to come to you–certainly I, Paul, did, again and again–but Satan blocked our way. 1 Thes. 2:18
The devil actively blocked the Apostle Paul from getting to church. Is he blocking my child’s way as well?
Where does my church family want me?
I asked members of my church what and how they feel when one of us is missing. They said:
frustration
sadness
disappointment
anger
longing
un-whole
discouraged
dispirited
annoyed
worried
concerned
like we are missing a part of the body
like a part of the family didn’t come home for the holidays
I feel challenged to feel concern rather than point out the sin
When you meet together, one person has a song, another has a teaching, and another has a new truth from God. One person speaks in a different language, and another interprets that language. The purpose of whatever you do should be to help everyone grow stronger in faith. 1 Cor 14:26
It seems absence from the assembly has the opposite effect of “Whatever you do should be to help everyone grow stronger in faith.”
What benefits the church the most?
And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself. Eph. 1:23
I gladly accept my part of those sufferings in my body for the good of his body, the church. Col 1:24
This church thing it pretty big. It is so big that Jesus fills it with himself. And we are called to do whatever is best for the good of his body, the church.
