Teaching Our Covenant Children

In our church, we welcome baptized children to the Lord’s Table.This practice, known as child communion or paedocommunion, is a minority view in the Reformed church. And yet while we recognize this, we are also humbly convinced by Scripture that this is a consistent and appropriate practice. 

One biblical support for this practice comes from the place of children during Israel’s covenant meals in the Old Testament. 

For example, during the first Passover meal, we read that “All the congregation of Israel” participated, and each household was to acquire a lamb or join together with a neighboring household. Households necessarily include children, and children indeed were present at the Passover meal, for God says in the text that they will ask, “What does this ceremony mean?” and the parents should answer, “It is the sacrifice of the Lord’s Passover, for He passed over the houses of the people of Israel in Egypt, when He struck the Egyptians but spared our houses (Ex. 12:26). 

Children were actively included in the covenant meals, for they are in covenant with God. But notice something important – notice the instruction present. 

We do not simply want our children to eat and drink this bread and wine, but we want them to grow in knowledge and faith as they participate. This means that you, as parents, need to teach your children. It is more than appropriate at this time in the service to lean over to some of your youngest, ask if they’re baptized, and remind them what this is all about. 

You can say something like this: This bread and wine remind us of Jesus’ body and blood. He died for you, and when you eat this, He is showing His great love for you. And not only do your children need to hear that message, but so do you. 

So come, and welcome, to Jesus Christ.