10 Things to Teach Your Child About Behaving in Church
Teaching your children how to behave in church (or other places they need to be quiet) is an on-going training session and sometimes a battle.
- If your child learns to have a quiet body, it will make it easier for those around him/her to focus and enjoy the experience more.
- If your child learns to have a quiet mind, it will help him/her learn how to focus and enjoy the experience for him/herself more.
Below are ten ideas (in quiz form) to discuss with your child over several weeks/months. As a refresher or to check how much s/he knows or remembers, take this quiz together.
Fill in the blanks from the following list of words. All the words are used only once.
A Message … Best … Bow … Giggling … Pew … Quietly … Run … Sermon … Service … Think About
- As you sing the worship songs, ______ ______ the words.
- Be on your ______ behavior.
- ______ your head during prayer.
- Don’t rattle or throw papers, donation envelopes, etc. during the ______.
- Expect to hear______ ______ from God.
- It is best to not ______ in the sanctuary.
- Keep your feet, pens and sticky food off _____ cushions.
- Listen to the ______.
- No ______, whispering, or talking.
- Sit ________.
To find the answers, click on the More button below.
Your Turn . . .
- How well did you do? How well did your child do?
- What would you add to this list?
- Take off the list?
Related Post . . . 10 Actions Parents Can Take for a Happier Morning at Church
Answers to Behaviour Quiz.
- As you sing the worship songs, think about the words.
- Be on your best behavior.
- Bow your head during prayer.
- Don’t rattle or throw papers, donation envelopes, etc. during the service.
- Expect to hear a message from God.
- It is best to not run in the sanctuary.
- Keep your feet, pens and sticky food off pew cushions.
- Listen to the sermon.
- No giggling, whispering, or talking.
- Sit quietly.
Entry filed under: Children's Ministry. Tags: behaviour in church, Children's ministry, Kid Min, teaching children manners.
Fruitful Words 
1.
racingandsavingmama | . at .
This is a great post. I have been nervous about taking my young children for fear of them being loud and disruptive. I like the quiet body notion. Thanks for swinging by my blog the other day. Have a good week.
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susan2009 | . at .
So glad you visited, Kristina. Teaching young children how to be quiet in a variety of settings is a process. I find that people are generally patient with our teaching attempts as long as we are really striving to teach and haven’t given up. Good luck with your process. 🙂
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3.
Denise Drake | . at .
Great list! We have our girls bring a note pad, pencil, and their Bible. I tell them they need to write or draw a picture about what is being said.
It will be good to discuss this with them. Thanks!
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susan2009 | . at .
Great idea, Denise. I know that I have to take notes and doodle whenever I listen to any kind of a speaker. If I don’t, I cannot pay attention or even remember what I heard.
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Lary | . at .
I came across this article today 1-2-12 from a search and must say it is a good message. I attend a church that the pastor’s son and friends are allowed to talk and play in church (to the point the elderly people in the church cannot even hear what’s going on) and run free before the services begin. These kids will be 8 years of age this year and still aren’t being trained to be quiet. It’s been told to me that the pastor thinks I am wanting him to be mean to his child. I am not, all I am asking is they be quieted down so you can hear what’s going on around you.
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6.
susan2009 | . at .
Thanks, Lary for stopping by. Disciplining children can be such a hot topic subject. Being mean and teaching children to behave are two different things. It seems that the Pastor has misunderstood your concerns.
It would be sad to have people leave the church because they cannot hear or because they feel their concerns are ignored. Additionally it would be sad for folks to stay and not be able to benefit from the message or to have ill feelings toward the pastor and the kiddos who run around.
Perhaps you and a friend could talk with the pastor face-to-face explaining that some in the church are not able to hear the sermon? Perhaps an adult can sit next to the kiddos to remind them to use quiet behaviour while church is in session.
I pray this situation resolves quickly and well.
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