North New Zealand Conference

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Worship Tips for Parents of Young Children

Posted on Nov 17, 2008

Before the Service

• Explain to your child how much you are looking forward to worshipping God with him or her.
• Sit near the front where your child can see what is happening.
• Let your child underline all the words in the bulletin he or she can read.

During the Service

• Encourage child to follow along with the words of the songs.
• Touch/pat/cuddle your child to build a sense of warmth in being together.
• Provide writing or drawing materials. Encourage your child to write or draw about things he or she sees or hears during the service.
• Provide Sabbath books to read.
• Help your child to look up scripture in the Bible and help him or her read along.
• Give them money to put in the offering.
• Allow your child to help pass the offering bag along the pew.

After the Service

• Express your appreciation at being in church with the child.
• Encourage your child to shake the pastor’s hand.
• Commend your child for specific times when he or she was participating well.
• Talk about the service. Ask a few good questions that encourage listening such as “What is one thing that you remember?” Which song did you like best?”
• What Bible person did the pastor talk about?
• What was the pastor trying to teach us?
• Share your own answers to those questions, or let your child ask any questions he or she desires.

Adapted from: Gospel Lights, “Big Book of Kid Sermons and Object Talks”

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Pr Kylie Ward
Director of Children's & Women's Ministries
kylieward@adventist.org.nz