Worship

As a multi-generational church here in Parker County, we recognize that North Side is made up of all kinds of families – old and young, big and small – experiencing life and issues in so many different seasons. Our desire is to lead, care, and support you and your family no matter the makeup. One of the ways we are seeking to best accomplish this challenge is through our FAITH@HOME strategy which is based on a biblical belief that God designed the family as the primary place for discipleship.

To support this belief and your family, we have a great tool in our Faith Path initiative to partner with you as you guide your child’s spiritual journey one step at a time. It is based on ageappropriate kits that have been created to help you leverage the best faith formation strategy for your child’s stage of development. In this WORSHIP kit, you will find practical ideas and suggested resources to help you teach your child how to adore God. We urge you to start today by taking the following simple steps and look forward to watching your child and family grow in your biblical understanding, relationships, spiritual discussions, and life application.

STEP ONE: LEARN
Check out the provided video that explains this particular Faith Path step. This video comes directly from the original launch of Faith Path and is used in a partnership with LakePointe Church. You will hear from both experts and ordinary families as they share practical suggestions from their experiences. You will also find a guide that offers practical tips and what we hope are some of the best resources available to your family on this topic.

STEP TWO: START
To help you start, we encourage you to buy a frame and dry erase marker for the “God You Are” card included with this kit. Use it to begin a routine of worshipping God with your child right away. We hope you find this kit helpful in the process of forming the faith of your child at home. It can be life-changing not only for your child, but your relationship with them and family as you walk through this kit and the Faith Path strategy together in the years to come. Feel free to visit with our staff below to learn more or to determine if your child/children are ready for other Faith Path steps.

WHAT IS WORSHIP?
Worship is our response to the greatness of God. Many Christians limit the concept to singing songs in church. We need to help our children understand that worship involves much more than attending a weekend service. Worship is both an action and an attitude. Scripture says that true worship begins in the heart of the believer (John 4:23). Worship involves taking the focus off of ourselves and directing our attention toward God, who He is, and what He has done. We may be great multi-taskers who can accomplish multiple things at once, but real worship only occurs when we give God our complete and undivided attention.
PERSONAL WORSHIP
Actually, children don’t need to be taught how to worship, but whom to worship. Most kids idolize heroes from the world of sports, music, and television. They memorize every statistic and detail about this or that celebrity. In other words, they “worship” in the purest form by focusing their complete attention on someone they admire rather than on themselves. It is our job to help them see the wonder of our awesome God. The best way to teach your child how to worship God on a personal level is by doing it yourself, modeling a life of worship with your words and actions. Allow your child to experience the “wow” of who God is. Intentionally point out the amazing things that God has done and is doing.
CORPORATE WORSHIP
It is also important to spend time worshipping together at home and at church. Create family worship experiences using songs, prayer, and scripture. Make public worship a priority by gathering with other believers to focus on God through the same elements.
WAYS TO WORSHIP
Make it a priority to help your child discover real worship. Use any of the following ideas to get starte

• Spend a few minutes around the table or in the car as a family taking turns saying something about who God is and what He has done. Try to avoid mentioning yourselves; focus completely on Him.
• Make worshipping as a family a priority by talking about God and committing to regularly attend a church service where you praise Him and study His Word together.
• Play songs of worship or make music together using instruments to create a fun time of family worship in song. Psalm 100:20 says to “Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.”
• Declare specific days like “Worship Wednesdays” to make a point of worshipping together. This could be as simple as taking time on the way to or from school or before bed to each say one thing about God you observed during the day.
• Ask your child questions about God’s character or His creation. Help him or her focus on how amazing God is.
• Frame the “God You Are” card included with this kit to start or end the day with a worship fill-in-the-blank.

“Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.”
Psalm 29:2

How will you be intentional this next year?

• Pray daily for and with my child.
• Consistently spend time in God’s Word with my child.
• Bless my child daily.
• Schedule and have regular family times.
• Create a habit of worship with my child.

The next step on the Faith Path is Giving & Serving, recommended at age nine. We will offer a Giving & Serving kit to guide you.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

Teaching Kids Authentic Worship by Kathleen Chapman

© 2012 Inkling Innovations & Lydia Randall

Brian McKay, Children's Pastor
brian@nsbcweatherford.com
Jim Garner, Family & Missions Pastor
jim@nsbcweatherford.com