While Trinity’s Sunday School usually meets during the first part of the worship service, right now our children are spending time in church. That’s no accident. Studies show that one of the biggest predictors of a spiritual life that continues into adulthood is participation in the life of a congregation. That means children can’t just be sent off somewhere else, they need to be part of the whole community experience, and that includes worship. While it’s probably easiest to “wait until they’re older,” whenever that may be, our desire to teach our children faith does not mean we take the easy road. Having children in church, while challenging, makes a difference.
Worries and answers:
We adults worry–what if they are bored? What if they are disruptive? We may remember our own experience in “big church” as being less than engaging. These excuses stand in the way of what we need to do to bring our children up to know God. But excuses can be overcome.
Boredom, for example, is not the worst thing that can happen to your child. Boredom in church often comes from an expectation that church will be different. Just like children have to be coaxed to try that new vegetable dish, so they need to be encouraged to participate in worship. It isn’t what they do on a daily basis, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be meaningful. In fact, difference is the way we show that something special is going on here. When we adults recognize that, our children will follow.
Nor should we let our childhood experiences stand in the way of helping our children have faith. After all, we chose to be part of this church community for a reason. Why? That’s what we need to share with our children, in words and attitude. There are easy ways to do this:
How to help:
Children don’t just automatically know what to do, or even how to pay attention. That’s where we, those who have promised in baptism to bring these children up in the faith come in. Here are some things you can do:
- Be sure that all children at Trinity have a worship booklet–especially if they can read!
- Help children follow along in the hymnal.
- Sit where children can see.
- For young children (preschool and toddlers), the back corner allows them to be in church without having to sit still in a pew.
- Children assume that church is a grown-up activity. We have to make it clear that we expect their participation. Talk about how they can participate–saying the familiar prayers, joining in the Amen. Children will live up to our expectations!
- Talk about worship on the way to church: what should we pray for? Write concerns and thanksgivings in the prayer book in the back of the church.
- Talk about church on the way home: What did you hear? What song did you like best?
Worship isn’t rocket science–it is the opportunity for us all to meet God. What ways have you found to help bring your children up in faith?