.png)
My two youngest boys were six and seven years old when I heard arguing from the bathroom. I sighed. After all, they were supposed to be peacefully brushing their teeth. They emerged together moments later.
“Mom,” they said calmly, “we need you to explain something to us so we know who's right. Was the burning bush a Christophany or a Theophany?”
That's when I knew my children were paying attention in church.
To be honest, I was shocked. They certainly didn't appear to be learning anything. No, for the past four years they had colored, lain beneath the pews, pushed cars on the carpet at my feet, and played with my hair. There was no indication they were learning anything at all.
But my husband and I felt it was important our kids learn to participate in the church service. We also felt Sunday School was important, so we taught in the basement, then brought the kids to sit in the service with us. This was socially dicey at times, as the church we attend isn't age-integrated. But I'm glad my kids have grown up attending service.
Following are five tips for bringing the littles to church with you. I trust you'll need to tweak them for your own family. I may be more or less tolerant in some area than you are.
1) Bring a Busy Bag
I think this is vital! Children need to move, and having a variety of quiet activities available actually helps them listen more effectively. What should you put in your busy bag? Anything that allows kids to occupy themselves without making a mess or a ruckus is helpful: crayons and pencils, coloring books and blank paper, toy cars and small dolls, pop-up books, dot-to-dots, and felt busy books are all great options.
Small children lose interest in items quickly, so you'll want to have a variety of choices. I suggest letting children play with those particular items only in church so they're special.
2) Allow for Wiggling
I know some parents require their children to sit still in service right from the beginning. We didn't. Small children move, and we wanted to give grace in this area. We sat to the side of the sanctuary or in the back and gave our toddlers and preschoolers some boundaries. They were allowed to move quietly in the aisle we were in, but were not allowed to leave the pew.
Gradually, we changed the boundaries until our children sat quietly with us. I will be completely honest—this did not always work. Our kids pushed the boundaries and I'd have to retrieve them, occasionally leaving service to instruct them.
3) Give Grace
Bringing children to service is a training process. They're not going to sit perfectly still, be perfectly silent, or understand everything they hear. But, over time church will become an important part of their routine. Those sermons, songs, and prayers will impact their hearts in ways you may not see for years to come.
Give yourself grace also. Well-meaning church members may comment on having your kids in service. I think it's wise to heed the comments of others–perhaps there is something you could do to be more considerate. But remember that this is a training process, and training is never without trials.
Are your kids third grade or older? I have a free My Sermon Notebooking Journal available that you may be interested in downloading. My boys take notes in transliterated Greek and comic book sketches, which is alright with me. They're listening and learning, and that's exactly what I hoped for them all along.
Image: Church Pew with Worshippers, October 1882, Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890), Public Domain
