Ok so I'm seeking a bit of free advice here.
What are your thoughts on children (who of course have made a decision to accept Christ as their Savior) taking communion? What's a good age? What are signs of their readiness?
Last week our church had communion and since we have discussed this with Jaedon before he knew what it was about and started crying when I told him I'd rather him not take it today. I am of the train of thought that it is a time of rememberence and repentance - not to be entered into lightly.
After whispering questions to Jaedon to see why he was crying he said "he wanted to remember Jesus too." How could I say no to that? I ended up sharing my bread with him and let him take part in the juice however I was not thrilled that he licked his lips and said "yummy" after the drink.
So would that make you cringe because of the "irrevarance" or chuckle at the innocence?
4 comments:
My parent's policy was always that we could take it after we had been baptized. The reasoning was that even though we made a decision when we were younger, that communion was a public declaration in the same way that baptism is, and so once we were old enough to take the step of baptism (I think KCC recommends 12 or older), then we could take communion. That's the path we're taking with our kids too :-) -Elizabeth
i've heard the same about baptism being a good sign of readiness. our friends have twins about age 10, i think? they are always VERY interested in being baptized when it's time for communion, knowing that this is what their parents want them to do before being able to participate. so their dad always says, "talk to me about it after church." well, they never do, because it's only an impulsive thing that are coming up with because they want to do communion. so he said he realizes that they are not ready for baptism or communion yet. and my comments on licking the lips after the cup was served?? hilarious. =)
my kids are still at the age that I pretty much take them for a walk during communion...cb at least...his sit stiller usually breaks about the time they are passing around the crackers...so i have not even thought about this topic yet...i'm enjoying other people's feedback
We've waited on for baptism, too, with our kids. In our church, baptism is always followed by communion, so that is the first time they partake. Hence we make sure we explain again the significance of communion before the baptismal service.
Thus, our decision has focused more on when are they ready for baptism... and I don't think there is any hard and fast rule - talking with your child and trying to figure out their motivation and relying on the Holy Spirit's guiding you, as their parents.
Funny side note - Brendan was 4 or 5 when he first started asking us about getting "Bath -tized," just like John the "Bath -tist.
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