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The fact is that too many kids graduate from high school and leave the church. It seems like ages from now, but did you know there are things you can begin doing now that will help your child transition to plugging in to church when he or she is off on his or her own? (The following three points are adapted from “Getting Kids Involved at Church†by Jim Burns.)
- Encourage church participation. Church is not a spectator sport. Talk to your child about how they can participate in Big Church.
- Look for ways your child can serve others. There is no age limit on “the body of Christ.†Each member of God’s family has an important role to play. Look for ways your child can encourage and help others. Encourage them to do these things, even at this age.
- Remind your child that we worship together in Big Church because we are all part of the same church family. Talk about things your family does together. What kids of things does our church family do together?
Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:19-25 (NIV)
In my church, kids move from the nursery to joining their parents for worship in “big church” (the main worship service) when they start PreK. As a children’s intern years ago, I discovered a class the Children’s Minister had created for Kindergartners who were about to make this transition. Since then, I have often wondered why more churches (like my current one) and parents do not prepare young children like this. [UPDATE: I have seen churches who use “Kids Church” as such a training ground. This can work as well.]
This year I’m partnering with parents of these three-year-olds to do something about it. I have volunteered to serve in the three year old class in the nursery once a month. While I’m there, we will do more than just play. Each month we’re going to have a mini-lesson to prepare these kids to worship with the older folks in “big church.”
This is something you can do with your kids too, no matter how old or young they are. Talk about the service before and after you go.
- What did you learn?
- What questions do you have?
- What is one thing you can do to put into action what you learned today?
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