It takes a Church to Raise a Child

Parenting is not for the faint of heart.  It is also not something parents should attempt to do alone.  Thankfully, those who are part of the church don't have too. In the church we are part of an extended family. The family of God and being family of God we are part of the body of Christ play a vital role in the raising of children.
When a child is baptized, he or she become washed with the blood of Christ from the cross which He shed for all so we can be new in Christ mercy.  At this time we as members of the church take an to oath to help the family raise the children up in the true faith.  While raising children is primarily the responsibility of the parents, it is not exclusively so.  After all, God charged the entire nation of Israel to teach the children. (Deut. 6).
How can church members assist parents in raising children to know and love the Lord? There are a number of practical ways.
First, support the children's ministry in your church.  This includes supporting the church budget, but also serving in ministries to children.
Second, speak to the children, not just to their parents. Ask them about their schools, sports, or hobbies. All of these things that we consider "small talk" are ways to enter their world and express love and concern. Through this small talk, relation-ships of trust develop that can be vital as that child grows older and need other people to talk to besides just mom and dad.
Third, older adults can have a profound impact on the children in the church family by befriending parents of young children. Many of our young parents did not grow up in christian homes. They have no models for what it means to disciple their children's or to parent in a godly way. Other young parents are often far away from family  Many of these long for mentors who will come alongside them, not merely as dispensers of wisdom, but as encouragers and friends. These parents need someone to remind them that, even when they fail, God is still at work caring for their children.
This is particularly important for single parents or for those who have a spouse who is not a Christian. Parenting is not something a person can do alone, Yet in our fallen world, many are forced to do so. the church can mitigate the effects of broken families by befriending both the parents and children in single-parent homes. By taking a single mom to lunch, watching her kids while she gets a night out,  or even going to the childrens's soccer game to cheer them on, church members can have a profound impact on the children from single-parent homes.
Finally, church members can pray for the children. Our children are part of a great spiritual battle, in that constant battler to remind our we are in a constant state of needing forgiveness for their sin. Just like all of us we constantly need to reminded to look toward Christ and what he did on the Cross. We will not win this battle through better programs or batter parenting techniques.  God must work in there hearts, so we as the body of Christ must do our part and pray for them. We pray even as the apostle Paul prays for the church, that God may give them " a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him" (Eph. 1:17)
It takes more than parents to raise a child. It takes a family - a large family. Thank God that He has given us the church to be the family of God and blessed us all with the privilege of raising children.