Need a little help in Guiding Children in Worship Service?
Here are a few suggestions to help you get started on the right track:
Before Worship
· Attend worship regularly, repetition and frequent reinforcement are crucial to a child’s learning.
· Speak of attending worship service as a special event during the week. Help them to see the important of family time of togetherness.
· Arrive early so you have time to get settled. Invite your child to ask questions, before worship begins. Point out interesting elements of worship, like the altar is set for communion, the advent banners, or who your child know singing in the choir.
· Take care of basic physical needs, before worship service. Take your child to the rest room and walk around a little; especially if they have been physically inactive for a while-long car ride to church.
· Sit where your child is able to see all the action in service. This will help them to stay focus in worship service. If your child wiggles, avoid fretting. Adults wiggles too!
· Before worship begins, pray for the pastor or guest speaker, the musicians, choir, soloist, dance team, etc.
During Worship
· Help your child to participate in worship service. Encourage them to stand and sit with the congregation. This will show them the need to participate in worship experience, plus this will help with the physical need for movement in order for them to sit quietly during the sermon. Help your child remember to bring a seed offering to put in the offering plate.
· Model participation. Involve your child in the music experience. Help them to read the hymnal, song sheet, or projected words. Encourage them to learn songs. You might sing them in the car or at home to help them become familiar with your church’s favorite songs. Read the scripture passages in his or her own bible. Help them to know her or she can best join in prayer. Since they have a short attention span, help them to sit quietly, if they are finish praying before the minister does.
· Be clear about the behavior you except during worship. State your expectations in a positive way. For example, “We all stand when we sing” or “The is quiet time now”. Resist the temptation to add “Alright?” to any statement. You are not asking for consent, you are simply letting your child know how you expect him or her to act in this place of worship.
· Be realistic about limits. Little ones can not be expected to sit all the time. However, children in the elementary grades are old enough to participate in worship with your help, or be excuse to go to Children’s church (if this apply to your situation– your church has one to go to). You choose what is important and reachable for your family. Compliment the child who reach the goals that are set by you.
· If your church does not provide church’s bulletins (because you have separate services for them) you might want to carry a special worship bag for your child, which includes: interesting papers or writing tablets, pencils or pens, and perhaps a reading book (their own bible).
· Children often multi-task listening, while they are occupied with an unrelated activity. Change the content of bad fairly often.
After Worship
· Greet the pastor or special guest speaker. Lift your child to be at the speaker’s eye level. Encourage your child to shake hands with the pastor or guest.
· Talk about worship service by mentioning parts that were especially meaningful to you (part of the sermon, song, etc).
· Encourage fellowship with others members of the church.
· Start a praise booklet. Have your child draw a picture that reflect what God has done for them on that day, or start a thankful booklet for which your child will be encourage to complete when you come home from worship service. If you would like, present it to your pastor or first lady.
· Discuss the service on the way home or after arriving home, answering questions they may have about the worship experiences. Ask them what they enjoyed most? Share your thought with your child, and they may give you unexpected answers that may bring you great joy!
During the Week
· Pray and read your bible. Take the time to read and pray together. It will be a honor traditions in your home.
· Play church at home. All of the family may participate in your home worship service. By doing this, your child will see that you are serious about praise and worshiping God.
· Invest sometime learning about the elements in church services– baptism, communion, altar, advent banners, etc. Explain to your child the why and the use for them. It will help them to participate more in worship service. After getting the whys out of the way, child will understand clearly, and have the “want to” in their spirits.
Sometimes despite our best efforts, children test the boundaries. There is security in discipline, and show your child the love and discipline they are needing. Please do not feel embarrassed, if you need to take your child out of the service for a few moments—everyone has a bad day occasionally. However, do not let this become a habit! When your child seems calmer, return back to service or listen from the hallway, or overflow room.
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