It seems contradictory, the idea of training our children for worship when we’re unable to physically worship together. But it’s not contradictory at all. Rather, now just might be the easiest time to practice this very thing.
I will start by acknowledging that there is simply no better way for a child to learn how to rightly worship God than by being immersed in a God-honoring worship service week after week, observing and imitating mature believers as they fellowship, sing, pray, tithe, and study the Word. But little children are wiggly, and their attention spans are so very short. What’s a parent to do, except to wait for their children to naturally enter that “phase” when they grow into disciplined, quiet, attentive, note-taking congregants? Ha! I’m not convinced that such a phase exists for any of us! Discipline comes only from intentional and repetitive practice, which is best put into place by loving parents when the child is still young. Practicing now with our children will help them develop good habits they’ll carry into adulthood.
This current coronavirus crisis is providing us with unexpected opportunities. We’re unable to worship together corporately, so all components of the worship service are sent to us digitally. This means that we can open each of those links – the songs, the sermons, the lessons – on any day of the week, and at any time we choose. We can choose when our family will gather together to sing and hear the sermon, so we can then choose to “practice” those elements with our children beforehand. Let me give you some examples. In this post, I’ll focus on the musical aspect of worship.
After your e-mail link comes through on Saturday night, you can open each of the songs one at a time and practice them with your family. You can print off lyrics for those old enough to read, and for those just learning how to read you can spend time sounding the words out together. Those who have non-readers can repeat the chorus, or perhaps just one of the verses, several times until little ones have that portion memorized. Make up hand motions to go along with the words. Some families are musically-inclined, so those who play percussion, guitar, or piano can play along too. The littlest children can create their own percussion with rattles, pots and pans, wooden spoons, tambourines, etc. The point isn’t to be silly, of course, but rather to joyfully practice praising the Lord using the gifts each of us has at every age and ability, with the ultimate goal of participation in the worship service itself.
As you have time and opportunity throughout the following week, you can also research the authors of the hymns sung the week before– the struggles the Lord allowed in their lives often served as the catalysts for the most profound hymns we still sing today! Spend time discussing the meaning of some of the lyrics, and what these songs tell us about Who God is and what He is like.
All of these things serve to cement not just the words, but also the meaning of these songs in the hearts of our children. We don’t want to train our children up to be casual participants – or worse, mere observers – in the weekly worship service. Rather, we should desire to see them eager to join their church family in unabashedly-devoted worship of Christ their King!
