As his notes are made available I will put some sermon helps for kids on this site.
Also, Pastor Andy has been posting the songs for the weekend services.
You will want to check back to watch those with your kids.
I want to share a couple of quotes from the book Parenting in the Pew to help you understand two things.
1. You are not alone
2. You need to teach and prepare your children and yourself for Sunday.
Here are some general thoughts to consider:
"Why is it that children who refuse to nap all week nod off before the preacher is three sentences into the sermon? Any child can tell you that it takes a lot of energy to 'sit still and be quiet' during church. Most children will testify, too, that coloring in all the o's in the bulletin is harder than it seems. Especially with all the interruptions for hymns, creeds and offerings." (p. 54)
"Paying attention in worship is foundational to training children in the pew. And giving attention to our children during this time is essential. It is very important that parents and children sit together during worship." (63)
"The purpose of parenting in the pew is to train a child to worship, not to be quiet." (63)Here are some practical ideas:
- Have your child use the bathroom right before the service.
- You might need to talk quietly to your child to help them worship. "Training children to worship does not always enhance our own experience of being before the Lord, especially at first. On a feeling level, the experience of worship may seem impoverished by the demands of parenting in the pew. The number of times children must be helped to concentrate, pay attention and enter into the worship service is almost beyond counting. The effort can be exhausting. And it can be pleasing to God."
- Encourage your children to sing
A very important thing to remember is that YOUR TIME in the service provide A LIVING EXAMPLE to YOUR EXAMPLE.
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