Worshiping Together

What do you think of when you hear “parenting in the pew”? 

Maybe you haven’t spent much time thinking about how this can be a great investment in your child’s spiritual growth.  As parents, we have an amazing opportunity to teach our children the ways of God through worshiping together in church.  Our children get to see you, along with the family of God, coming together to sing praises to God, recite scripture, pray together, and listen to God’s Word.  “Parenting in the Pew” is one way to be intentional in helping your children listen and understand the songs and the message alongside their family.  

As Jen Wilkin says, “We believe there is no substitute for a child watching his/her parents model worship.  For families, the with me of worship matters.  What could be more relevant than teaching a young child an appreciation for and familiarity with the cadence and flow of big church?”   

I know parents might push back and say that worshiping together is difficult.  Our kids may wiggle, want snacks, and talk.  However, the good of having them in the Worship Service far outweighs the difficulty.  

Check out our church’s resource area, or the back of the sanctuary, where listening bags and sermon note pages are offered.  Use these as tools to help your children participate in the Worship Service alongside you.  As one children’s minister has said, “children aren’t the church of tomorrow.  They are the church of today!” 

If you are interested in learning more, check out Robbie Castleman’s book titled “Parenting in the Pew.”  You can find it anywhere you buy your books.