Parenting in the Pew

Parents, I hope you realize how training your children to worship is one of the most truly important and life-changing things you can do in all of life and parenting.

I want to offer some encouragement from Robbie Castleman’s wonderful little book, Parenting in the Pew that will hopefully help in your perspective, focus and practicality. If you have not read this book I suggest you take a look at it and even review it from time to time.

1. Parenting in the pew helps you pay attention to the most important thing you can ever train your child to do: worship. Worship is one of the for sure things we will do forever.
2. Sunday morning starts Saturday night! Sunday morning should be a time of joyous expectation for a family who loves the Lord. But too often it is a morning riddled with strife and filled with regret. To help relieve this strife begin worship planning Saturday night. Put out clothes, breakfast foods, Bibles, and even offerings together. Remind them before bed that they are going to meet with God’s people, the church, for worship. Remind your spouse too and check your attitude – why are you going to worship? Remember also that Sunday morning can be a time of spiritual warfare. Good warriors prepare for the battle and do not encourage the advance of the enemy!
3. Avoid water fountain visits and make bathroom stops between Sunday school and Worship to keep children out of the potty parade.
4. One of the biggest challenges for Parenting in the pew is training children to pay attention to what is happening – the worship of God – and making them a part of it. Point to words of hymns, songs, responsive readings, etc. with your finger as your child follows along. As soon as children are able to read even a few words, ask them to read the words they recognize and listen to the meaning – this might need some quiet explaining.
5. Help children listen to the sermon by encouraging them to listen when the stories are being told. Ask questions about the stories like, “What did you learn today about God in the story.” As they grow older ask them questions that push them to listen for detail.
6. Point out various aspects of the service that a child might find interesting, such as who was baptized, how communion was meaningful, a particular song or testimony.

May God Bless you in this journey.