♫Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so!♫ 

What is cradle roll? 

Do you remember the first time you heard that song? It may have been in cradle roll. If you grew up in a Christian family or going to church, God may have been writing this biblical truth on your mind and heart since infancy. Children are never too young to hear the beautiful truths of Scripture spoken, sung, and prayed.  

 Jesus loves children and gives the gift of faith in baptism. When we bring our babies to the Lord in baptism, our desire is that they continue to grow in their Christian faith and grow up always knowing and loving Jesus. Parents have a great responsibility for spiritual nurture of children, but the congregation serves as a corporate godparent. The Christian community of the congregation can come alongside parents and support them by providing encouragement, teaching, and resources.  

The ministry of cradle roll is one way for a congregation to care for young children and their families. Cradle roll is a ministry for parents of infants and toddlers following their baptism and serves as a bridge between infancy and about age 3 when many congregations begin to provide Sunday school classes. Educational resources are provided for children at regular intervals during those first three years. Some congregations also host a cradle roll class held at regular intervals, anywhere from twice a year to meeting monthly, where families can learn together.  

—Marian Christopherson, Director of AFLC Parish Education 

A cradle roll testimonial 

Cradle roll ministry at my church is taken on by the WMF, and a point person is nominated to be in charge of dispersing the materials. The WMF orders a packet for each child baptized into membership with our church, and upon baptism, the parents and sponsors are given books and pamphlets on baptism and raising children in God’s Word. Throughout the next three years, the children are given cards or books a couple of times a year, including their baptism birthday. (Every year on their baptism birthday, we take out the candle given to them on their baptism day and celebrate by lighting it in a cake or breakfast muffin!) Another way my church uses this ministry is to encourage fellowship amongst young families through a yearly program. Each year, a program is held for children in cradle roll and features a Bible story, songs, an activity, and the graduation of three-year-olds into the Sunday school.  

Cradle roll has involved my young kids in the purpose of the church and has been a source of timely encouragement for me. Over the past few years, I have come to appreciate cradle roll's consistent encouragement in my life as a parent. Every pamphlet I get helps to remind me of my ultimate goal as a parent: to make disciples who love God and His Word.  

To help my young kids internalize Scripture, I start by asking questions about what they have already memorized from Bible story books or Bible verses. For instance, if we’ve memorized John 3:16, I’d ask, “Who loved the world?”  I think at this age, we try to work more on memorizing things than asking questions. (I’m sure the questions will come quickly as they get older!) One of the books we received through cradle roll was about the church, and when I asked my three-year-old what we learn at church, he said, “Jesus died for our sins.” Another book, My Book about Jesus, talks about Jesus' life and how He came to show love and heal people who were sick. My son showed me his scrapes and bruises, and we talked about how God made our bodies to heal and how He can heal us too. Again, these books have provided instances to talk more about who Jesus is and what He has done for us. 

It also became apparent how important it was to my kids when my three-year-old got a postcard invitation to begin Sunday school. Every day, he would find it and say to me, “I get to go to Sunday school!” This excitement has been built over the years with the cards and books that cradle roll has provided.  

“The Cradle Roll program is a great time for parents and little ones,” a mom in my church told me. “We learn about God’s love, church, and prayer through fun Bible stories, songs, and verses.” Another said, “It’s a special time that helps get us ready for Sunday School and helps our kids grow in God’s love." I’m grateful for this ministry and its impact on the next generation! Why not start this ministry in your church? 

—Rachel Mattson, member of the Parish Education board 

Since cradle roll packets are no longer supplied by the national WMF, congregation members can purchase cradle roll packets in our Parish Education offices and online bookstore.

This article is an expanded version of a Parish Education ministry update in the June 2025 issue of The Lutheran Ambassador.