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Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Church training
Posted in Confessions of an Imperfect Momma
Several years ago we belonged to a small church and had 3 children. At the time I felt a conviction to keep our children in church with us. I felt it was important that they learn to reverence the house of God and learn to worship the Lord by the example of their parents. How are they going to learn these things if they are never in a service, but always tucked away in a Sunday School classroom? For about 2 years, we kept our children in service with us. They behaved very well. Our pastor didn't understand our decision, but we did what we felt was best for our family.
After a time, that small church "dissolved" and we began the search for a new home church. When we chose a much larger and rapidly growing church, my husband made the decision to put the children back into the Sunday School program. The program is well-organized and we have been pleased with it for a time. But I have been disappointed to find out that my older 2 children have forgotten how to behave in a church service. And my younger 3 (who have been in classrooms since they each turned 1) don't know what a church service is.
A few weeks ago, I was told that my 3-year-old shouldn't be in the 3-year-old class because he is not potty-trained yet. This, along with a few other issues, have been the impetus to bring our children back to church with us. But I can't do this overnight. I have had to start church training at home. Here is what we do:
At 10:30 in the morning, a local pastor is on the radio teaching for a 15 minute segment. At 10:25 or so, I sit all 5 of my children on the couch with me. I give each of the youngest 4 a coloring book and a few crayons. I give my 9yo son a notebook and a pen. I tell them we are having church practice. I explain that we don't talk when "Pastor" is talking or praying. We need to be quiet in church. I ask my oldest son to take notes and tell the youngers that they can color, but they must be quiet. I try to take notes as well (for example's sake), although so far I've had to spend most of my time training. When someone talks, I say, "Shhh. Church." My 2yo always repeats loudly "Church!" The older 2 are doing well. The younger 3 will take some time. But we're working on it. I will be pleased when I can take them all back into the service again. We'll be together as a family as we should be.
~Layla
Comments
Wednesday, November 22, 2006 - YEAH!
Posted by TeachingHisWays
I am so glad to see someone else feel the need for their children to be in service with their parents. I have been keeping my 3 year old in service with me for 6-8 months now, along with my 9 year old son. They are both learning to behave and listen. My daughter has to have crayons, paper, books, juice, etc. However, she recently realized she had a "real" Bible like everyone else, it is Precious Moments Bible, and make sure she has it with her every time we go to church. My son takes notes in his journal and is really beginning to ask questions and understand things. We have Bible study every morning to begin our school day. We were watching a Perry Stone video at church one night and he noticed the Ark of the Covenant and said, "Mom, that is what we learned about today in Bible study." It is good to see him soaking up God's Word like a sponge. I applaud your method of teaching them at home also. The Lord will honor you for this and you will see wonderful things happen with your children. They will become good role models for other children as well. May you and your family be blessed this Thanksgiving!
Stacy Hester
TeachingHisWays
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Thursday, November 23, 2006 - Happy Thanksgiving!
Posted by AHappyHome
We have also decided to keep our children in service with us. It is worth the time to train, especially the older ones, as they will help train the youngers by example. Our children watch as the other children are excused and prayed over, but we enjoy spending time at lunch talking about what the pastor said and what they gleaned from it. During service, we worship and pray together, and when the pastor begins speaking, the children quietly have a snack and use their clipboards to draw something they hear the pastor speaking about. Recently a new family arrived and my husband overheard the pastor welcoming them, inviting them to either keep their children with them, or send them to the youth groups. We felt this was great!! He was opening up to the possibilities of keeping families together! As much as our decision is a witness (or a judgment, depending on the other person's point of view), we do this to worship our God together as the family unit He created us to be. I do send my noisy baby to nap/play in the nursery; I'd rather not but to keep him with us would be completely disruptive to an audience that would not count it as a blessing. We will bring him back with us when he is a little bit older (he's 6 mos). And I'm with you regarding youth group as well; our church children actually had a cricket spitting contest. How disgusting is that?! Anyhow, have a happy thanksgiving!
Blessings,
Keri
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Friday, November 24, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by DanielleW
Keep up the good work. I was not trained as a child to be able to sit in services and I was into my 20's before I actually sat through a service without "distractions." I take notes now to help me stay focused and on track.
I didn't even know it was possible until my Pastor's wife was modeling such behavior with her 4 yo down syndrome child. I thought if he can sit there for the 20 plus minutes of service anyone can. DS does go to Sunday School but he is in services with me Sunday nights and Wednesday nights (during the summer).
My Pastor's wife suggested us just sitting quietly at home, learning to just be quiet and do nothing. We started with a very short time period and then kept increasing our time. That home training has payed off.
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Friday, December 1, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
Boy do I hear you! Our older two come to church with us vs. the children's worship, but the 2 year old goes to the nursery program. I was just thinking today how I'd like to wean him from that because I really would like him to be in church with us. What a great idea you have implemented! I wish there were a family integrated church near us...
Jamie
www.princessruby.blogspot.com
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Saturday, December 2, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by KarenW
We have a small service in our home - usually around 15 people. Our 8 year old dd is the only child. There is nothing else but the main service. It's hard to teach little ones to be still. Keep up with the training!
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Saturday, December 2, 2006 - Classmate of the Week!
Posted by TrainingHearts
Congratulations! You have been selected as a Blogger Friend School Classmate of the Week!
Thank you for participating and inspiring others through your blog. I have enjoyed reading through your blog and hope to find time to visit more often.
May the Lord bless you this week with all of us uplifting you in prayer.
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Sunday, December 3, 2006 - hi....
Posted by mommyof3girlies
reading your blog made me think a bit....my oldest goes to sunday school and my 2year old also... but my 4yr old always would cry and never wanted to go, I would sit with her in her class hoping this would help her adjust.... I did this for about 4 sundays in a row, but couldn't do this forever, so she started to sit with us in service for about 2 months now...she does great, I take a coloring book and some crayons. She sits quietly and listens! I mentioned this to my hubby last week that i'm gonna give up trying to force her to class and just let her sit with us, he agreed that it was a good idea he said if she sits fine and is quiet let her be..... Isabella is doing great! juliet
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Monday, December 4, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by ApplesofGold
What a beautiful blog you have!! I agree with what you have said about church and families being together to worship God. I have been trying to train my 2 yr old to sit in church and it's not easy! I spend more time out of church with her than in church with her so far. Holly
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Tuesday, December 5, 2006 - That is a great idea!
Posted by Tinakay
My dd has never been in a church service before. I do not think she could handle it either. Thank you for the idea for helping her stay quiet.
Tina Kay
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Thursday, December 7, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by mommyto7
I so agree with you on this. My two youngest boys have been going to what is called "Tiny Tots" at our church during the worship service. However, I have just recently found out that they don't do anything with the children except let them run wild in the preschool room...no Bible story or anything. We have just recently made the decision to take them with us into the service. No one understands this decision. I am very glad that both of them sit quietly and are pretty much well behaved. I just found your blog this evening....I have enjoyed reading it! God Bless! ~Holly
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Friday, February 2, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
Keep up the good work. It will be worth it. I have heard other Mama doing the same kind of training.
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Sunday, April 15, 2007 - Hi there!
Posted by dawilli
I like the idea of the radio preacher for church practice- and good for you for taking notes for an example!
I'm working on my 2 year old, she's one of those constantly moving (and quite loud) children... it's a process, and we'll get there!
I hope it's all going well for you.
Enjoy them,
ali
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Sunday, April 27, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by JADsmama3
My DH and I also believe that our children need to be in "big" church with us instead of being in a classroom. We belong to a big church and most parents send their children to "nursery" during big church. Once the children are in 1st grade they are expected to sit with their parents but our problem with that was "How are they supposed to know what to do when they are used to being entertained until 6 years old?" So we started bringing them with us. People are constantly amazed that our 3 yr old sits quietly but I believe that is where they are supposed to be and what they are supposed to be doing! Thanks for sharing your similar belief! I am so glad we aren't the only ones that feel this way.
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