Why would you take kids to an adult worship experience? How can they get anything out of something that is not designed for their age level?
You might be asking yourself these questions as we slog our way through the complexities of the COVID-19 crisis. Berean’s KIDS ministry is not being offered during our worship times right now due to the restrictions and concerns about safety. In many ways, families with younger children have found it easier to worship at home, and I get that. But there is a better way.
I want to encourage you to renew your habit of coming to corporate worship with your children. There are many reasons why bringing your kids to a worship service is good for them and for you as parents. Here are some ways that both you and your children will benefit from this family experience.
Corporate Worship Keeps Saturday/Sunday Special
You start preparing early. Everybody gets dressed. You make the trip. You have that rare walk together as a family from the car to the worship center. All of this is the honoring of a different rhythm than the other days of the week. It all shouts, “This is important for us as a family!”
Children See, Hear, and Feel the Worship of the Body of Christ
Your children watch and hear you singing. They see you bow your head in prayer and open your Bible or Bible app to Scripture. They watch you take notes. They see other men and women, teenagers, and children their own age participating. They are absorbing the example of models around them. They often tune in on a story the pastor is using as an illustration during the message.
Children Learn to Sit Quietly
Eventually. I know this is a source of stress and embarrassment to many parents. Get over it! This is part of child development and discipline, as well as an opportunity for understanding in the body of Christ.
This must be cultivated and practiced over time. But, children can learn to participate in some aspects of worship and then retreat into their own coloring and drawing at other times. You will be helped by using the tools our KIDS ministry is preparing for worship activities. One of the best disciplines a child can learn is to be in the presence of adults without being the center of attention. They pick up more than we realize, and a little boredom is a springboard for creativity.
Parents Learn to Reflect on Their Experience
When you have shared a worship experience together it is a ripe opportunity for kids to hear Mom and Dad reflecting on what they enjoyed, what they learned, or what they need to implement in their lives. You can ask your children what they learned, and you might be surprised at how perceptive they are to story, color, sound, or personality.
Children See and Feel the Congregation
They recognize they are part of something bigger than themselves or their family. They watch you interact with other adults as you come and go. They get to know some adults and families. Their horizons are broadened and their confidence is bolstered when they see that people from all walks of life have been called to follow Jesus.
The most important lessons and rhythms of life are caught, not taught. This is the brilliance of Deuteronomy 6 which instructs parents to use the happenings of life as springboards to teach children about God and his ways. This COVID-19 season may just be simplifying and slowing us down enough to teach some life lessons to our children that will last them a lifetime.
Berean Worship Services: Saturdays 5 p.m. // Sundays 8:30, 9, 10:30, 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Follow Berean on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook.
