Parenting in the Pew
Are you interested in your child growing to enjoy worship? I highly recommend, Parenting in the Pew by Robbie Castleman. We have our own copy of this book in our children's ministry.
Here are some ways to help engage your child in the difference between "going to church" and "going to worship." Children learn best by doing. Children learn to worship by worshiping – through participation, practice and patience. Sunday morning starts Saturday night. Prepare your heart and home with a "worship is loving the Lord" attitude. What is your Sunday morning attitude like? Eager or going through the motions? Keeping Sunday simple can help keep Sunday special for God. Too many Sundays are lost with lost socks. Too many Sundays are overshadowed by what we wear and how we look. Clothes, shoes and socks for Sunday need to be readied by Saturday evening. Start the morning sharing with little ones that "Jesus is excited! This is his special day!" Listening to "Jesus music" while getting ready at home helps keep the tone of the morning calm, positive and even-tempered. Children need to sense our excitement about worshiping with God's people. Children need to hear how the Lord met us in worship, how much we learned in Sunday school, what we love about our church family. Our children need to see through us how the Spirit is at work for his purposes in our communities of faith.
There are many more ideas on how to engage your child in worship in Parenting in the Pew, and it covers children ranging in age from preschoolers to teens. Please see the Children's Ministry Director for more ideas or to borrow the church's copy.