Our kids (ages 7 and 4) love going to church. We’ve made this part of our lives a commitment and a priority, communicating to them the value of building faith in community. Like most kids, at times they resist and would rather stay home in their jammies to play on Sunday morning but for the most part, they look forward to gathering with friends to learn about God. We hope to strengthen their childhood excitement with habits that build a lasting interest in learning about God and studying his Word in the context of community.
But just like everything in parenting, keeping a child’s interest in church and faith formation is about consistency and intentionality. Parents set the tone for family faith culture. We’re trying our best to set a tone of excitement and expectation when it comes to our faith. Here’s how. .
We’re focusing on these 5 ways to get our kids excited about church:
- Be excited about church. Children will follow the lead of their parents when it comes to their attitude about church. If parents look forward to gathering together on Sunday morning, kids will anticipate it, too. We have the opportunity to encourage our children to open their hearts to all they will learn in church and to get them excited about it.
When our kids see our excitement about church, they become curious about what it has to offer.
- Ask for and use take-home resources. Many churches utilize curriculum that includes a take-home sheet for parents. If your church doesn’t offer one, ask about it. Perhaps the team doesn’t have access to this type of resource but could begin to provide one with some help. If you do get one, use it! It’s tempting to throw it in your purse and forget about it as you stumble to get everyone and their hungry bellies in the car after church. Keep track of this valuable resource. Post in on the fridge when you get home so you remember to look at it throughout the week.
When we take an interest in what our children are learning in church, they will take an interest as well.
- Connect what they’ve learned to life throughout the week. Refer to your child’s take-home sheet focusing on the main point and memory verse. Talk about the topic and try to relate it to something going on in your child’s life. When kids understand how a lesson applies to real life and get the opportunity to share their stories, they get excited about learning more. For instance, if your church has been teaching about brave Queen Esther, talk about what it means to be brave and ask your child to share an area in which they need courage.
When we connect the dots of what is learned in church to what is experienced in real life, kids begin to develop a relevant faith that lasts.
- Cultivate relationships within their class/age group. One of the biggest reasons kids don’t want to go to church is simply – they don’t have friends there. Many people attend church across town; in another school district where children don’t necessarily know each other. Seek out a friend/family in your child’s class and plan a get together. This is beneficial for both parents and children as they begin to connect with other families in the church community.
When kids have a friend waiting for them inside the classroom, they will be excited to go and learn together.
- Consider serving on the kids ministry team. This isn’t realistic for all families and definitely not in all seasons of life. When possible, offer to be a part of the team. Our willingness to serve in this often overlooked ministry speaks volumes to the kids, especially ours.
When our kids see us giving our time to help support a ministry that is all about them, they begin to see the value it has in our family life.
If you don’t have a kids program at your church and your children sit in the main service with you, ask a church leader to send you a key verse or main point for the service ahead of time so you can create something for your child to do during the service. There are many resources available online {including right here and at TommyNelson.com} to provide your child the opportunity to learn alongside you during your Sunday services. Having a coloring sheet or activity to do that goes along with what you are learning will help your family grow together as you engage in conversation about church throughout the week.
Building faith is a cyclical process that involves learning both in community and at home. Each aspect of our faith formation supports the other, creating a strong foundation on which to build a relationship with Jesus. When our kids get excited about church, they are more likely to listen and open their hearts to a lasting relationship with God.
What gets your kids excited about church? Which of these steps can you take in this season to cultivate an interest in kids church?
Bonus Tip! As kids get older, they will love bringing their very own Bible to church. Let’s be honest, with Bible apps on our phones, most adults don’t even carry the Word of God with them into the church building. But kids need to be encouraged, old school style, to treasure the Word and bring their Bible with them to church, ready to learn from it. The ICB Big Red Holy Bible is great for kids who read and want to engage in kid’s church.
Photo | istockphoto {used in partnership with tommynelson.com}
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