GOAL: By studying the Pentateuch's examples of children and worship, we will create ways to apply these foundational theological principles with practices that welcome children.

Children matter to the Lord! They are not just a part of His promise—they are His promise. As we explore examples in the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible, also known as "the five scrolls" and the Torah, which means instruction or teaching (Africa Study Bible, p. 289), we realize that God has gone to great lengths to model for us the value of welcoming children into worship.

Children are actively involved in worship practices, beginning with the first family. Today, we refer to this as intergenerational worship because all generations worship together. By engaging children from a young age, children grow in their faith and develop lasting relationships with God, preparing them for Kingdom work now and in the future.

In this curriculum, we will examine what the Bible says about welcoming children into worship alongside adults by evaluating scriptures that teach by precept and example. The theological basis or scriptural presupposition for intergenerational worship is the foundation for why and how we welcome children into our corporate worship services. An exegetical exploration reveals much about God's heart for children, as demonstrated in the Pentateuch. Here's an overview of the curriculum.

Overview

Studying the examples of children and worship in the Pentateuch helps us appreciate biblical principles and encourages us to emulate them in our homes and churches. Here is a summary of the key teachings:

• God Establishes Family: The first families demonstrate worship values to their children through their actions and teachings. For example, who taught Cain and Abel to bring their best offerings to God? Why did this first family celebrate Seth's birth? How does Lamech inspire us to value our children? What example do we learn from Noah and his sons as they work as a family in obedience to God?
• God Engages the Young: Children and teens play crucial roles in God's plans, demonstrating that God acknowledges and communicates with people of all ages. Was Isaac, who understood the ritual of burnt offerings, a willing sacrifice? How does God's response to Ishmael's cries inspire confidence that God hears us? What lessons does Joseph teach us about God's divinely appointed purpose? And how does the bold decision to spare baby Moses inform us of the value of every birth?
• God Equips For The Future: God gifts children with various abilities, and He deserves their respect—lessons that pastors and parents must pass to the next generation. How remarkable is it that God chose a teenage boy to build the Tabernacle? And how does God respond to the rights of five daughters in a male dominated society? Whar do we learn about parental responsibility in God's discipline of Aaron's sons? Is there a collective responsibility for home and church to teach children God's laws as Moses commands? 

Children in the Pentateuch: A Theological Basis for Intergenerational Worship answers these questions to provide a theological foundation for Welcoming Children In Worship (www.welcomingchildren.org). Intergenerational worship—children and adults worshiping together in a corporate church setting—nurtures children's faith and establishes a legacy for future generations. Worship, as demonstrated in the Pentateuch, is a lifestyle. We gather as the family of God to celebrate His faithfulness in our daily lives.

Curriculum Outline

Children In The Pentateuch: A Theological Basis for Intergenerational Worship is a 13-lesson curriculum that unveils the scriptural foundation for Christian parenting and Intergenerational Worship. In this snapshot of the first five books of the Bible, we experience children learning about worship from their parents and being included in worship settings alongside adults. From Genesis to Deuteronomy, the guiding principles and practices recorded from the beginning are a blueprint for us to model today as we nurture children’s spiritual formation to cultivate a lasting relationship with God. The curriculum is divided into three sections:

God Establishes Family—Parents teach their children to worship and work:

• Adam and Eve are the first teachers.
• Seth's birth brings hope, and people begin calling on the Lord.
• Lamech celebrates Noah as a child born with a purpose.
• Noah and his sons work together building the ark in obedience to God.
• Abram and Sari welcome Lot into their family, highlighting the beauty of adoption.

God Engages the Young—Children Experience God’s Presence:

• God spares Isaac, who is a willing sacrifice, as Abraham worships God.
• God hears Ishmael's cry in the desert and promises him a future.
• God gives Joseph dreams that set him apart to save his people.
• God ordains Moses from birth to rescue the Israelites from slavery.

God Equips For The Future—God deposits gifts and expects reverence:

• Teenage Bezalel and his assistant, Choliab, are lead craftsmen who build the Tabernacle and all of its furnishings.
• Aaron’s sons experience the consequences of irreverent worship.
• Moses urges parents to teach children God’s commandments. 

Conclusion—These theological principles emphasize the importance of welcoming children into worship.

• Both home and church share a mutual responsibility to be intentional about passing faith to the next generation.

As we nurture children’s spiritual growth, we establish a legacy for future generations. We gather corporately—children, teens, young adults, adults, and seniors—to celebrate God's faithfulness in every aspect of our lives…together!

Africa Study Bible

Scriptural references are from the Africa Study Bible, New Living Translation (NLT), published by Urban Ministries, Inc. (UMI). To order, see the QR code below.

Lesson Plan

Each study includes a Lesson Plan and a Children's Sermon, organized using the HBLT (Hook, Book, Look, Took, Cook) method. The HBLT Lesson Plan Explanation and HBLT Handout are available to download as a resource. Add your notes on how you would teach these lessons. (For a complete explanation of HBLT, see Teaching Like Jesus: A Practical Guide to Christian Education in Your Church by La Verne Tolbert (Zondervan), pp. 106–110.)

Children's Sermonette

Each lesson includes a brief Children's Sermonette, which is a message or lesson to share with children during the morning service. Pastors will be surprised at how much adults appreciate this moment. And parents can teach the sermonette to their children at home!

Research demonstrates that in congregations, the average or mean grade level of church members—from PhD holders to high school dropouts—is third grade. Not only will children glean biblical insight and application from the sermonette, but also young adults, adults, and seniors will digest rich nuggets to remember.

Be sure to invite children to ask permission from their parents or caregivers before they leave their seats. Additionally, place volunteer teachers who have been pre-screened and live-scanned to monitor the area, ensuring that children remain in the designated space or return to their seats. (Please see the Leader's Tip, p. 118, and the Volunteer Application on p. 218-219 in Teaching Like Jesus: A Practical Guide to Christian Education In Your Church (Zondervan).

Enjoy this time with the children by asking them questions throughout the lesson so that it doesn't feel as if you're "preaching" to them. Children will reward you by inviting their friends to join them at church. Blessings as you teach!

Children In The Pentateuch: A Theological Basis for Intergenerational Worship

Copyright (c) 2025 by La Verne Tolbert

Requests for information should be addressed to rsago@teachinglikejesus.org