January 2012
The Family: Together in God's Presence

These past few Sunday we have had two opportunities at ACC for elementary children (Kindergarten thru 5th grade) to attend the main worship service with their parents. I know having children sit in the main service can often times be a challenge, but the benefits can be so rewarding. Family togetherness, catching your spirit and the knowledge of prayers and songs are just to name a few.
Worshipping together counters the contemporary fragmentation of families. Hectic American life leaves little time for significant togetherness. It is hard to overestimate the good influence of families doing valuable things together week in and week out, year in and year out. Worship is the most valuable thing a human can do.
As parents we want to teach our children by our example the meaning and value of worship. Children can catch the spirit of how mom and dad bow their heads in earnest prayer during the prelude and other non-directed times. The can see how mom and dad sing praise to God with joy in their faces, and how they listen hungrily to His Word. When children are in worship they should catch the spirit of their parents meeting the living God.
Children absorb a tremendous amount in a service that is of value. (Even if they say they are bored!) Music and words will become familiar. The form of the service comes to feel natural. The choir can make a special impression with a kind of music that may never be heard any other time. Plus the content of the prayers, songs and sermon gives us unparalleled opportunities to teach and discuss the great truths of our faith. Our discussions after any service with our children can greatly enhance their capacity to participate in future services.
So let's look at some practical suggestions that might help a child sit in a main worship service:

1. Start early in your home, by requiring quietness during God's blessing over a meal; when you are reading a Bible story book; or when God's Word is being read during a family devotion.
2. When your children are young at church use special occasions as a training ground and have them attend baptisms, choir concerts, missionary videos, or any other special event.
3. If a child is restless, or noisy pray for understanding of the people around, and try to deal with the problem unobtrusively. But if you are unsuccessful, take the child out - for the sake of a quick discipline. Then decide whether to slip back into service or stay in the area reserved for parents. If you stay in the family area help your child sit quietly as if you were in service.
4. Prepare all week:
   • Have your children become familiar with the Senior Pastor, talk about the worship leaders and call them by name.
   • Read the scripture passage for the coming Sunday ahead of time.
   • Ask anticipating questions to prepare for the message. Example: We've been reading about Joseph - What do you think the pastor will say about him? What do you think the choir with sing?
   • Prepare a church bag with a pen and notebook that can be taken each Sunday.
5. Share your Bible or worship folder during worship with young ones, or have a Bible for each child if they are older along with offering money.
6. Help your child take notes - young children can draw pictures of what they hear, or put a check mark to one familiar word. Older children can copy the scripture verse or listen for phrases to copy down.

In conclusion, the setting of the tight family circle focusing toward God will be a nonverbal picture growing richer and richer in the child's mind and heart as they mature in appreciation for his family and in awe at the greatness of God.

Blessings,
Laurie Beavers
Children's Ministry Director