COVID-19 has ushered a new normal into our world – and there have been a lot of changes.
While I dislike most of these changes, there is one thing I’ve loved to see: the time families are spending together. Families are now eating, playing, working, studying and yes, even “going” to church together.
I have loved watching families growing in their faith during this season – as families.
As churches start to reopen and families start to get back to life as normal, how can we continue to encourage family discipleship?
How can we keep families growing together in their faith?
Here are four suggestions:
1. Keep things simple.
During COVID-19, we have been forced to keep things simple. With online ordering slowed and limited supplies at local shops, ministry to families has been stripped of some of the “bells and whistles.”
In my experience, it’s when we keep things simple that we see families participating. When parents don’t need hours of prep, loads of research, or better yet – when they can learn with their kids, it seems they’re more likely to take the lead and disciple their families!
This can be through an easy-to-read devotional, engaging video clip, simple discussion questions or a fun family challenge.
So, as we start to return to “church life as we knew it” – how can you keep it simple?
How can you equip families with straightforward, simple tools to keep discipleship happening at home?
2. Make worship a family affair.
One of the exciting things I’ve seen during this pandemic is the way families are worshipping together. Kids are sitting (okay, sitting might be a strong word) around with their families and everyone is watching worship!
If this isn’t the norm already in your church, ask yourself: How can we make worship a family affair?
While I believe in the value of age-appropriate programming, I also believe in the value of families worshipping together.
Kids are a part of the Church today – not just in the future – and having them participate with us on some level is essential.
What conversations do you need to have with the leadership in your local church to make this happen?
How can kids participate in your gatherings on a regular basis?
One of the ways we’ve done this in our local church is by having our middle-schoolers serve in a variety of capacities. They help work tech, serve as ushers, play on the worship team and volunteer in kids’ ministry.
Younger kids read Scripture in the services and participate in a children’s time before they’re dismissed to their kids’ ministry.
When families are worshipping together, parents are equipped to continue the conversation and journey at home!
3. Plan gatherings that engage all ages.
COVID-19 will change the way church gatherings look. Some changes will be temporary, some will be permanent.
Some changes mean families will be worshipping together for the next little while.
As the mom of two small kids, I’ll tell you – that won’t be easy. Participating in a church service with infants, toddlers, and even moody preteens can be quite a challenge.
With the leadership of your church, consider how you can plan gatherings that engage every age group. I
I’ve seen several people sharing this quote from the great Charles Spurgeon this week online:
There should be part of every sermon and service that will suit the little ones. It is an error which permits us to forget this.
What will that “part” of your service look like?
Here are some suggestions:
- Be sure to take the time to welcome kids to your service. Jesus made a big deal of children, so we can too!
- Incorporate worship songs that all ages will be familiar with. If kids don’t sing the same songs as you in their worship time, consider including one or two!
- Use an easy-to-understand Bible translation in Scripture reading and sermons.
- Consider including hands-on illustrations in the message to keep kids (and let’s be real, adults!) engaged too.
- Equip parents with resources like A Family Guide to Worship so that kids can take age-appropriate “notes” (or doodles for preschoolers) and understand what’s happening in your service.
- If you’re participating in traditions kids may be unfamiliar with – like Communion, Baptism, Corporate Prayer – take the time to explain what’s happening!
- Have kids participate in a variety of ways during your service.
4. Don’t neglect the at-home piece!
With so much excitement and enthusiasm to get back to “normal”, it will be easy to let the emphasis on equipping parents to go the wayside.
Parents will be happy to get a break, kids will be excited to get back to routine, and you’ll be relieved to get a break from screens!
In all our excitement to create an awesome in-person experience for our kids, let’s not neglect the at-home piece.
Parents who are informed, equipped and engaged will continue to be parents who take the lead in discipling thier families.
Here are some simple ideas to do just that:
- Keep parents informed on what’s happening! Are you starting a new sermon series? A new theme in kids’ ministry? Give them a heads-up.
- Encourage your volunteers to connect with the parents and families of the kids who would typically be in their small group to see how they’re doing and what tools they could use!
- Give parents simple family devotionals to use, like this Journey through James, or the Family Guide to Abide.
- Continue to give families simple challenges to do at home that connect to what you’ve talked about on Sunday! This makes parents the heroes!
- Equip families with discussion questions, like the ones included in this Family Guide to Worship, to allow parents to lead conversations about what’s happening on a weekly basis!
- Give families fun tools to keep growing spiritually together! Tools like a Church Takeout Box or this Summer Bible Bucket from Vanessa Myers would be awesome and make discipleship fun.
Family discipleship is something I am very passionate about.
My prayer is that this pandemic will propel families into discipleship like never before.
Instead of rushing back to our “normal”, let’s discover new ways to equip and empower families!