My Kid Doesn't Want To Go TO Church...

My kid doesn't want to go to church…

Should I make them go?

Am I a bad parent?

Maybe these are questions you’ve found yourself asking. But before we address them, let’s set the stage with a few thoughts:

• DON’T FEEL SHAME

  • You’re not alone in this struggle. Many parents face the same challenge, and the enemy may try to convince you that you’re failing as a parent.

  • Don’t let him have power over you. Stand on God’s truth, not the lie from the enemy.

    
    

• EVALUATE AND ADJUST

  • Ask yourself some tough but honest questions:

  • Have I prioritized not just church—but faith—in our home?

  • Have I presented church in a legalistic, rule-focused or guilt-based way?

  • Have I clearly explained WHY we go to church?

  • Am I modeling this myself?

    
    
    
    

We Must Remember

We as parents don’t have the power to save or change our children. 

Only Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit can do that.

So this leads us to the question:

Should I make them go to church even if they don’t want to?

In case you’re wondering…

The answer is YES — but let me share why!

WHY CHURCH MATTERS

Think about it:

• Do you make them go to the doctor when they’re sick?

• Do you insist on school even when they’re tired?

• Why treat church any differently?

EPHESIANS 6:4

“Fathers, don’t stir up anger in your children, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”

If we present church as optional, they’ll grow up treating it that way.

We can’t prioritize work, school, and sports but have different rules for church.

They mirror what we model.

If you prioritize it, so will they.

As a parent, you have the responsibility to be the spiritual leader and primary discipler.

Remember that YOU ARE THE PARENT and they are the child.

A child doesn’t know what’s best for them — that’s why YOU must LEAD THEM!

This is one of your greatest callings from God—embrace it!

SO HOW DO I DO THIS?

• APPROACH THEM WITH GRACE

  • Create a safe, open space.

  • Don’t come off as closed or aggressive.

  • Ask why they resist.

  • Listen with your heart.

• SHARE THE “WHY” BEHIND THE “WHAT”

• The Church is the Bride of Christ.

• It’s not a building—it’s a people.

• The Church is God’s Plan A for Reaching the World!

But Joseph, you don’t understand… what if they still don’t wanna go?

Should I still make them?

YES. AND HERE’S WHY.

AT CHURCH, THEY’LL BE EXPOSED TO:

1. THE PREACHING OF THE WORD OF GOD

At church, they will be confronted by the truth of Scripture—the only thing that can truly penetrate their heart and mind. How can they be transformed if they’re not exposed to it? Don’t underestimate the power of consistently sitting under the Word.

2. THE PRESENCE OF GOD

The one thing that can soften the hardest of hearts is the Spirit-filled Presence of God. The sound of worship, rooted in His Presence, acts like a hammer to the stony heart—breaking pride and opening the door to the Savior’s touch. Church exposes them to His Presence. So let Him work! Keep putting them in places and spaces where they’ll be surrounded by the Holy Spirit.

3. THE PEOPLE OF GOD

They may ignore your voice—but they might hear truth from someone else. Surround them with other godly men and women.

Give others permission to speak truth and wisdom into their lives! We weren’t meant to do life alone.

Surround them with godly people, and let community do what only community can.

4. THE POWER OF GOD

If you stay faithful to this, you’ll be amazed at what the power of God can do—not just in them, but in your entire family.

I know what you’re thinking…

Will forcing them to go make them resent church?

To that I’d say this:

• Their empty seat in church is an occupied seat somewhere else—TikTok. Culture. The world.

• The question isn’t if they’re being discipled—it’s who is discipling them.

• Their hearts are being shaped either by the truth of God or the lies of the world.

• Church isn’t just a service—it’s a safeguard.

-I’d rather my child wrestle with church attendance than wander into a world without truth.

-I’d rather them roll their eyes in the pew than lose their soul in the crowd.

-They might resist it now, but one moment in God’s presence can undo years of rebellion.

-That’s a risk I’ll take every time.

Temporary discomfort is worth eternal transformation.

I’m not raising a fan of church—I’m raising a follower of Jesus.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

MODEL IT.

You can’t preach it if you don’t live it.

Let them see you sit under the Word, serve, and be in community.

BE CONSISTENT.

Don’t let them have one foot in and one foot out.

Push them out of their comfort zone.

Connect with one of the pastors and help them engage.

You’ll be amazed what 2–3 months of consistent attendance can do.

Sunday church can’t replace daily discipleship at the dinner table, in the car, or during bedtime prayers.

Discipleship starts in the home.

REMEMBER: YOU CAN’T CHANGE THEM…

BUT GOD CAN!