Big Church and Little People: Worship

Part 5 of 10.  Ideas for 'Big Church' to try with your 'little people'.   

On vacation we visited a church with a really great worship band.  Five-year-old Cade was beside me in the aisle seat.  His eyes were locked on the worship leader and he kept inching closer to the aisle to get a better view.  Some time in, I looked down and there was Cade in the very middle of the aisle, with both arms totally extended to heaven and singing with all of his might.  He was perfectly mirroring the worship leader.

 Worship is better caught than taught.  It's so important for our kids to see us worshiping.  My friend Connie said that when her kids were little, they would keep glancing up at her expectantly until her tears flowed.  She was worshiping her Lord.  And they were taking notes. 

 Worship shows worth-ship.  It proclaims how much Jesus means to us.  Here are some ideas for introducing your kids to worship in the corporate setting:

•  Ask your worship leader to post a 'top 10 playlist' on his blog or the church website.  Download the songs and plug them into your 'favorites'.
• The first week a new anthem is introduced, jot down the words to discuss with your kids. 
• Ask your child a question about lyrics as they are being sung:  "What does it mean when we sing, 'Better is one day in your courts...?'"  or "What does 'Scorned by the ones he came to save' mean?"
• Tell your kids that you want them to write down one phrase from a song that they don't understand to discuss on the way home.  Reward each question with a licorice stick.
• Sit closer to the front!  Not just to see the words on the screen, but also to see the expressions on the faces of the musicians and choir members.
• Sing!  Express your worship!  Engage your mind and heart! This is the best way to teach a child to worship.