Whether you are a mama or Children’s Ministry leader, you may have the responsibility of creating bags, boxes, or packs of materials for kiddos to use during a worship service. Let’s be intentional and not just keep them busy, but disciple them and engage them in authentic age-appropriate worship.
No matter if your church includes children every week, once a month, or on 5th Sundays, here are 5 items I suggest you include in your worship bags. Perhaps they will only get used by a visiting child too nervous to go to Children’s Ministry or maybe these items stay in your kid’s special Sunday backpack and head out the door with your family regularly. It doesn’t matter if these get used weekly or once in a while, effort and intentionality can make a difference.
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What is a Worship Bag?
I like to call it a worship tool belt for families. It is a bag, box, clipboard, or basket full of tools and toys to help kids successfully be a part of the big worship service. Does this mean they will be quiet and not distract anyone? Nope, not 100%, but it does mean that you set them up to know they are capable of more than being quiet and distraction-free.
It will help to minimize distractions, but honestly I have been distracted by others of all ages in church, not just kids. That man coughing, yep. The old woman digging through her purse looking for something, yep! Even an organist nodding off in the front row! Our job isn’t to make sure our kids are quiet, our job is to disciple them and equip them to worship God.
To learn more, check out this 45 minute workshop.
Our job isn’t to make sure our kids are quiet, our job is to disciple them and equip them to worship God.
Worship Bag Item #1
The first item is something to disciple. This could be a variety of items including, but not limited to:
- A Worship Guide for families (sample here)
- Parts of the Service Tokens or Symbols
- Children’s Bible (some of my favorites here)
- Kid’s Worship Notes (freebie here)
- Ribbon Wands for worship (if appropriate for your denomination)
Worship Bag Item #2
Item #2 is something to move. God created children to move their bodies. When we ask them to keep still for long periods of time, they have a hard time learning. All of their energy and focus is devoted to keeping still. If we want to free their brains and focus up to learn and engage in worship, we have to let them move.
When you provide intentional movement opportunities, you set kids up for success. Some items include, but are not limited to:
Worship Bag Item #3
Next, you’ll want to add something to create. Our God is a creative God when we only give kids something to color, we limit them in listening and responding to the Holy Spirit. They may need to express what they are learning through dinosaurs or legos, not just want to color a picture of fishes and loaves.
Here are some items you may way to include:
- Blank paper
- Clip Board
- Crayons
- Pencils with erasers
- Colored Pencils
- Scratch Paper
- Seasonal or Bible Craft kits
- Bible Story Stickers
- Coloring or activity books (only if also including blank paper)
Worship Bag Item #4
Some may choose to skip this one, but it can be super helpful, especially for sensory kiddos. It is something to taste. The sucking action is very soothing for kids and uses up some of their energy. If kids are under 5, make sure any hard candy has a stick.
You might try:
- Lollipops
- Candy Canes
- Or even, sugar-free Zollipops
- Cheerios
- Goldfish
Worship Bag Item #5
Finally, our God is one who loves extravagantly and blesses us just because he loves us. We can do the same for our kiddos by including something to delight. If you are the church providing this, you can make a huge impact on families with this one and making them feel welcome, seen, and loved.
Some ideas are:
Want Help?
If you would like some support on how to make this work for your family or church, sign up for a free consult with me. I would love to walk you through this and any other family discipleship areas you may be struggling with.
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