Faith Path: Worship
Recommended Ages: 8+
Worship is our response to the greatness of God. We need to help our children understand that worship involves much more than attending a weekend service. Worship is both an action and an attitude.
Teach Your Child How to Adore God
Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness. (Psalm 29:2)
What is worship?
Worship is our response to the greatness of God. Many Christians limit the concept to singing songs in church. We need to help our children understand that worship involves much more than attending a weekend service. Worship is both an action and an attitude. Scripture says that true worship begins in the heart of the believer (John 4:23). Worship involves taking the focus off of ourselves and directing our attention toward God—who He is and what He has done. We may be great multitaskers who can accomplish multiple things at once, but real worship only occurs when we give God our complete and sole attention.
Personal Worship
Actually, children do not need to be taught how to worship but whom to worship. Most kids idolize heroes from the world of sports, music, and television. They memorize every statistic and detail. In other words, they “worship” in the purest form by focusing their complete attention on someone they admire rather than on themselves. It is our job to help them see the wonder of our awesome God. The best way to teach your child how to worship God on a personal level is by doing it yourself and modeling a life of worship with your words and actions. Allow your child to experience the “wow” of who God is. Intentionally, point out the amazing things that God has done and is doing.
Corporate Worship
It is also important to spend time worshipping together at home and at church. Create family worship experiences using songs, prayer, and scripture. Make public worship a priority by gathering with other believers to focus on God through the same elements.
Ways to Worship
Make it a priority to help your child discover real worship. Use any of the following ideas to get started:
- Spend a few minutes around the table or in the car as a family taking turns saying something about who God is and what He has done. Try to avoid mentioning yourselves. Focus completely on Him.
- Make worshipping as a family a priority by talking about God and committing to regularly attend a church service where you praise Him and study His Word together.
- Play songs of worship or make music together using instruments to create a fun time of family worship in song. Psalms 100:20 says to “Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.”
- Declare specific days like “Worship Wednesdays” to make a point of worshipping together. This could be as simple as taking time on the way to or from school or before bed to each say one thing about God you observed during the day.
- Ask your child questions about God’s character or His creation. Help him or her focus on how amazing God is.
- Frame the "God You Are" card (DOWNLOAD HERE) to start or end the day with a worship fill-in-the-blank.
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recommended books
Teaching Kids Authentic Worship
By Kathleen Chapman
Many children, as adoring fans, can rattle off all the stats and facts and details about their favorite singer or sports star. Wouldn't it be great if they knew that much about God and were as excited about him? In Teaching Kids Authentic Worship, Kathleen Chapman gives an eye-opening lesson on how worship can spark that kind of enthusiasm. She begins with what it means to truly worship-to focus on God alone. At its core, she says, worship is our recognition of the greatness of God. It is a kind of glue that will effectively lead children into a greater, more permanent love relationship with Jesus.
With a contagious enthusiasm of her own, Chapman moves from the "what" of worship to the "how." She includes fifty-two worship moments that help children-and adults-focus exclusively on God and learn about him. These creative moments take the form of singing, hand movements, dance, crafts, games, writing, drama, and more.
Teaching Kids Authentic Worship is a necessary resource for every Sunday school teacher, children's church leader, and parent who wants to guide children in making God their greatest hero and lifelong friend.
About Faith path
We believe God designed the family to be the primary disciple-making relationship. In other words, God gave parents the privilege of nurturing faith in the next generation. That’s why the Faith Path was created. It's a step-by-step plan to help you be intentional as you prepare for key faith milestones and foster spiritual disciplines in your child’s faith journey. From parent dedication to leading your child to Christ to launching your young adult, the Faith Path resources are designed to assist you in discipling your children.