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 multitaskers who can accomplish multiple things at once, but real worship only occurs when we give God our complete and sole attention.

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.

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. Children also have opportunities to help lead worship in Children's Sunday School, Awana, and elsewhere.

Encourage your child to record the first time they help lead worship on their My Spiritual Development Tree. Download a pdf here or pick up one in the Faith@home Center at church.

Instill the “wow” of God into a child’s life. Make it a priority to help your child discover real worship. Use any of the following ideas to get started:

• 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 to start or end the day with a worship fill-in-the-blank.