SUNDAY WORSHIP WITH CHILDREN – PART FOUR

A Time to Teach Study Habits

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction,

and for training in righteousness.” - 2 Timothy 3:16

Being involved in the worship service gives your children a chance to learn. It’s true that very young children aren’t going to be able to follow all that is being presented or perhaps not very much of the sermon taught. This doesn’t excuse parents from teaching them study habits. All the preparation we’ve talked about is helpful as you now put it all into practice. It’s this practice that will result in good study habits for your children for years to come.

A time for…
1. Creative Listening
Children can listen for illustrations or stories in the sermon. You can instruct your children to pick out a meaningful verse that was shared in the sermon. They can write things down if they are capable, or they may draw something they remember. This makes for great discussion afterwards. You can ask questions about the drawing or review the points your child has written down.

2. Making a worship bag
This can be a creative time you have with your children. Each child can have their own canvas bag for worship only. Children can use markers or paints to decorate their bag, making it their own. Then you can fill it with the items that will be helpful during worship. Some examples: pencils, a peppermint, small spiral notebook, Bible, and Sermon Notes for Kids by Jill Connelly. Be creative and put into the bag what you think
will be helpful for your child to best be served in worship.

3. Have rules for the worship bag
The worship bag doesn’t take the place of prayer or singing. If we are praying, then the children are to be praying. If we are singing, then the children need to stand and sing what they can. In fact, it would be good to give specific assignments to be fulfilled, such as taking notes in your sermon notes book or drawing a picture in your spiral notebook. The peppermint can be for when the pastor begins the sermon. Use your knowledge of your own children to make the bag beneficial for them.

It takes time and effort on your part to prepare your children for worship. In the end, it will be so worth it as you see them grow in their knowledge of God. Picture your family seated together in the worship center and listening to the sermon together. What a beautiful picture! May God give you grace and perseverance as you train your children.