I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father. (2 John 4)
At IGC, we love children. They are not simply the offspring of our members. They are not distractions to what we do on Sundays. They are not even the future of the church. They are the church. Our covenant children are the living stones that comprise the house of God (1 Peter 2:4-5). Therefore, it is our duty and privilege as parents to help foster their love for Jesus and what he’s doing to shape them as worshipers of the living God.
When it comes to our Sunday gatherings, we have an opportunity to train them to participate fully in the worship service.
Before Sunday
Ask the Lord to search your heart and prepare it to worship alongside your children. Consider your attitude and tone when you talk about church on Sunday. Is it something to check off our list of duties, or are we genuinely excited?
Remind your child that you will be going to church together the next day. You can build anticipation by reminding them of why we attend: to meet with God’s people, to hear him speak, to respond in worship, and to be equipped to live lives that honor him. Jesus eagerly anticipates meeting his children at church (Mark 10:14).
Do what you can to ensure you can leave the house to make it to service before it begins at 10:30m. Set the alarms. Lay out the outfits. Plan to be in the car early enough so you don’t have to rush. etc.
Before service begins
Consider sitting toward the front. Children tend to pay attention better when they’re closer to the action up front.
Take a few moments before service to calm down and focus on what is about to happen.
Explain the elements of the liturgy:
Song of Ascent. This opening song is a call to God’s people to gather and focus our attention on God.
Call to Worship. This is God’s word inviting God’s people to worship him.
Singing. We sing because God commands us to. Singing is a way to express our hearts to him. The songs also contain truths about who God is, and they are a way for us to learn more about him.
Scripture reading. When we read scripture, we are hearing the very words of God. He is speaking to us through his Word.
Sermon. The preacher explains what God is saying in his word and is helping us see why it matters to us.
Communion. The bread represents the broken body of Jesus. The wine represents his blood that was spilled for our sake. Eating and drinking these elements reminds us of his sacrifice and feeds our faith, which constantly needs nourishing. Communion is only for those who have been baptized and have professed faith in Jesus (and confirmed by the church if they were baptized as babies).
Song of response. After the Word of God is preached and communion is taken, we respond to God through music.
Benediction. This is God’s word of blessing over his people as service concludes and God’s people go back into the world.
During service
Sit with your children. They may want to sit with their friends, but they are less likely to be distracted when they are with you. And you get to model to them what it looks like to be attentive, reverent, and worshipful.
Sing the songs and let your child hear your voice. Even if you’re not a great singer, it’s better that your children will remember their parent singing out-of-tune to God than not at all.
The sermon should be (hopefully) intelligible to your child. A handout will be given to your child so they can follow along with the sermon.
After service
Ask your child what their favorite part of service was, and why they liked it.
Ask them to share what they learned from the sermon, and you can share what you learned as well.
Talk about how your family might apply the things you learned in church.
Find the songs that were sung in service and play them during the week. You can find every song IGC sings on Spotify or Youtube.
““I cannot read the Word, I cannot sing, I cannot pray, without leaving some trace on the tender mind. How solemnly, how affectionately, how believingly, should I then approach this ordinance with much godly fear and preparation!””