Teaching Children to Worship

WORSHIP… 

                A word that evokes so much thought, so much emotion, and at times so much controversy. 

What IS worship? How DO we worship? What is INVOLVED in worship?

It’s a topic that there is so much ambiguity about, yet it is so vital to who we are as Christ-followers.

This past Sunday at church our Senior Pastor, and my very own husband – our church worship pastor –taught on the popular topic of “What is Worship?”. 

In summary, we learned that worship:

-          Acknowledges God as WORTHY of our praise.

-          Is our PERSONAL RESPONSE to all God has done for us.

-          Is SACRIFICAL and SUBMISSIVE. We offer God all that we are, and expect nothing back in return.

-          Is not just singing. Worship involves our thoughts and our actions too.

-          Is a LIFESTYLE, not just what we do on Sunday mornings.

-          Involves LOVE and OBEDIENCE.

-          Includes loving God with all of our HEART, SOUL, and MIND.

As I’ve been pondering over the lessons of Sunday and how to have a life marked by genuine worship, I was struck with my responsibility as a MOM. 

I want my children to grow up learning about God, and learning to LOVE God. I want my children to understand WORSHIP, and how to have a lifestyle that HONORS God – a lifestyle marked with genuine, loving, obedient worship.

So I’ve been brainstorming a list (although not an exhaustive one – I know there is much more) in which, even while children are at a young age, we can begin to intentionally instill these qualities within our little ones in hopes that they grow to LOVE GOD with all their Heart, Soul, and Mind. 

1.       Teach them SCRIPTURE.  Even as newborns, recite verses to children. As they get to 2 and older, they can memorize the verses themselves. Here are just a few (abbreviated) verses that work great for instilling qualities of worship, and could be taught at an early age:

a.       “Be KIND to one another.” Ephesians 4:32 (This could even be shortened to “Be Kind” for very young children). This verse instills how we should treat and love others.

b.      “Kind words are like honey, sweet to the soul.” Proverbs 16:24. Another verse about how to treat others and loving others.

c.       “God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7. This verse teaches about giving to God freely and sacrificially, teaching children at a young age that all belongs to Him.

d.      “Be Still, and know I am God.” Psalm 46:10 – This verse emphasizes a trust in God’s character.

e.      “God created the Heavens and Earth.” Genesis 1:1 –This verse establishes God’s power.

f.        “Children obey your parents.” Ephesians 6:1 – This verse instills the importance of obedience. Children must learn to obey their parents before they are willing to submit to and obey Christ.

g.       “Love God with all your Heart, Soul, and Mind.” Matthew 22:37 – A verse that shows the qualities of a life marked by Worship.

2.       Teach children to GIVE THANKS.  As young children are learning to pray, teach them to thank God for something special in their day that happened, or something that made them happy. Let them learn to thank God even for the little things in their day.

3.       Teach them about SACRIFICE.  It’s Sunday morning… we are rushing out the door to barely get to Sunday School on time and our little child asks for money for her Sunday School offering. We grab some change off the dresser, shove it in our child’s little fist, and then run out the door. It’s a scenario I’m sure we’ve all faced more than once. I know I have! J

But what is that teaching our children? It teaches them nothing about sacrifice, loving God through giving, or personal responsibility. Here’s an idea to keep the Sunday morning “offering rush” from happening, while teaching children to sacrifice and give at the same time:

When your children get money - whether it is allowance, earning chore money, or just money they found in the couch cushions- have a baggie or container for “JESUS” money. Explain to children that for all God has done for us, we give a little bit of our money back to him. Have the child choose an amount to put in the “Jesus” baggie, and praise their willingness to “give to Jesus.” Then on Sunday morning, they can proudly take money that THEY have collected to give at church.

I’ve learned from experience that doing this – having a child give their own money to Jesus – makes children very proud of themselves, and also very eager to give! Putting money in the “Jesus” baggie becomes a source of excitement, which is also a good teachable moment to emphasize the “God loves a cheerful giver” verse. Plus, they are learning sacrificial giving at the same time. It’s a win-win!

4.       Teach them about God and WHO He is through Bible Stories.  Get a family devotional, children’s Bible board books, Bible videos – anything that will teach children those “classic” Bible lessons so at an early age they know about God’s power to perform miracles, heal the sick, protect his own people, make coins appear in a fish’s mouth, create the universe, love the unlovable and outcasts, etc. These lessons teach children from an early age about the power, person, and character of Christ.

5.       Let them SING!!!   There is nothing sweeter than hearing a child belt out an old Sunday School standard like “Jesus Loves Me” or “This is the Day” Have good Christian music on in the house and in the car. Sing to them, sing with them – just fill them with Christ-honoring music and encourage them to sing!

6.       Be their EXAMPLE.  As a parent, this can be a tough one because of busyness and just an overall lack of time, but it may be the most important point on the list. Our children have no greater resource to see a lifestyle of worship than watching their own parents.

a.       Let them see you, and hear you, pray.

b.      Let them see you reading your Bible. And make a point to tell them that’s what you are doing.

c.       Let them see you going to church faithfully.

d.      Let them see you being kind to others.

e.      Let them see you giving.

f.        Let them hear you talking about God.

And that’s my list… Not an exhaustive list by any means, but hopefully a good place to start. 

Just a few practical ways to help our children develop a life marked by worship - a life that will honor God with love and obedience, sacrifice and submission, and a surrender of heart, soul, and mind.  

As parents our task is great… but its rewards are far greater. 

I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.

3 John 1:4