Children’s Time – Effectively Engaging with Children in Worship
It typically is a time when children are called to the front, a short story/devotional message is given and then they are prayed for, before either going off to Sunday school lessons (in most English-speaking services) or returning to their families for the rest of the service. It is crucially important that the level of preparation for this worship time dedicated to children matches that of all other aspects of worship. If this is the only time in which children are an intentional focal point of a service, it should be done well.
Some worship leaders make the honest mistake of approaching children’s time as a one-way story-telling exercise. This can be effective if the story is easy to comprehend, but often stories told can be from an unrelatable context that does not resonate with a young listener. Alternatively, children’s talks are too theologically complex – a mini-sermon which is not effective.
Some practical tips that can be considered when it comes to delivering effective children’s talks include:
Visual aids and creativity
Visual aids and creativity are an obvious natural fit when it comes to engaging with young minds. From a technical standpoint, YouTube offers a plethora of resources that can aid talks. For e.g., when I spoke to the children about the parable of the sowers seed, I began by showing them a time-lapse video of a seed’s growth cycle. There are other videos which can break down simple biblical stories, illustrate important themes and much more.
Other physical practical visual aids are also effective. Balloons and air to illustrate the Holy Spirit, water and food colouring for Water into Wine. Food, toys and other objects can be used if given a bit of creative time and thought. All can help those speaking to children (and adults) make messages stick.
Link to the totality of the service
Depending on where in the order of service you would typically talk to children, you may want to consider what has come before or what is coming next, to show a clear link. It is a small thing to consider that makes a difference in worship. If you talk to children before the readings and sermon, you may suggest “after our talk, you are going to hear a reading which explains our talk this morning. Listen to it and see if you can pick up what we have just spoken about.” Or “In our sermon later, I will talk to your parents about these very things we have learnt. Ask them on the way home what they think and what they would do in that situation.” These are ways to show that the children’s talk is not an isolated and unrelated part of worship but ties into the totality of the service.
Engage with children meaningfully
I recently had time with the children of my parish during a service. Referring to the parable of the sowers seed, I asked the children “what are the things we can do as Christians to grow from seeds into tall plants?” A 7-year-old boy raised his hand and responded, “A seed doesn’t just grow up, it also grows up and down and sideways and different directions!” After pausing and reflecting on his thought, I responded to this clever boy and said, “I think I need to go and re-write my sermon after that deep theological insight!”
I mention this story to highlight that children’s time is more than simply talking to children; it’s about giving children a small, yet significant, place in worship to either contribute or even challenge our own embedded ways of theologizing and practicing ministry.
On Mission Resourcing’s website, you can find more information about helpful resources relating to children’s talk, all which can be contextualized and fitted to your congregations needs.