The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Any views on the placement of Sunday School

My view has always been from what I have been able to gather from what is revealed in Scripture concerning: parents' responsibility in raising their children, the church, worship and covenant relationships. So to put it all together in a simple statement, parents are ultimately responsible to raise their children in the knowledge of the Lord. That does NOT mean that they assume or presume that they are saved, they have some idea of a 'seed of faith' in them, or able to comprehend the things of God. As Jonathan Edwards aptly and infamously described them, they are "little vipers in diapers". Thus I do not approve of teaching children to call upon God as their "Father" without confessing a credible profession of faith. I do not approve of any materials that would suggest that they are 'children of God', e.g. the Heidelberg Confession (better to use something like the Westminster Shorter Catechism which is written in the 3rd person. I do not approve of telling children that God loves them, but rather God is a loving God and is full of mercy and grace to all who come to Him with a loving faith in Jesus Christ. The Church invisible consists of all true believers. The Church visible consists of believers and unbelievers, including children, parents, pastors, elders and deacons. I find no place in Scripture either via warrant nor example that children are to be excluded from the corporate worship of God. For in that gathering the preaching of the Word is heard through which God promises His Spirit with call the elect to faith in the Lord Christ. There the saints offer up their Spirit-led and heartfelt prayers to God in a reverent manner and conduct themselves in 'fear and trembling" singing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs in true worship to the Sovereign God of saved them out of darkness into Light. In that worship service, not only are children able to witness the worship of God but they do so under the direct supervision and discipline of their parents. Thereafter, the parents are able to instruct and converse with their respective children about what they saw and heard. Now unfortunately, not all 'children's churches/Sunday schools' offer biblical sound materials, teaching, oversight, or discipline. Given the current state of the visible church I could never in good conscience allow my children to attend any of such 'programs' which came AFTER the formal worship service without thoroughly vettng both adults those who are responsible, and the materials used and personally observing those events several times.