KIDS WORSHIP
A WEEK OF SUMMER CAMP REMINDED ME | Yancy
I just wrapped up leading worship for some summer camps for kids . I love the opportunity that camp affords me to lead worship for the same group of kids . At this camp I did nine sessions . That ’ s as much time with this group of kids as their local church worship leaders would get with them in the span of three or four months . Maybe even more depending on their attendance . I ’ m grateful for every opportunity to point them to Jesus while offering their sacrifice of praise . Every day I ’ d have conversations with campers getting to know them and hear testimonies of how they were being impacted . As I reflect on the time spent here ’ s some things I want to highlight to you .
DON ’ T UNDERESTIMATE THEM . I always find it fascinating that boys are the ones that will come up asking for when we ’ ll do a worship song like “ Holy Forever ” again . Boys can get a bad rap that they don ’ t like or want to worship . I don ’ t believe that ’ s true . I ’ ve seen the opposite far too many times . I have found too often leaders are nervous about how to navigate serious worship times with the kids so instead they skip it . Don ’ t underestimate what they are capable of . Meet them where they are at . Guide them when necessary . Show them Jesus is real . If you can help them taste the real thing they will be interested in it more . Help them put Jeremiah 29:13 into action : ‘ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart .’ ( NIV )
TAKE THE TIME TO TEACH THEM HOW . During the first session I realized my work was going to be intense with this group . They were staring at me like they really didn ’ t know how to worship . I knew I was going to need to start at square one . Honestly , even I was surprised by how much progress was made during the second service and it continued to grow each day . I simply started teaching them about worship . I shared how it ’ s our response to who God is and what He has done . Remember how can they hear unless they are told ? How can they learn if they aren ’ t taught ? Does that sound familiar ? It ’ s what Romans 10:14 & 15 tells us : “ And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him ? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them ? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent ? That is why the Scriptures say , “ How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news !” It ’ s my joy and truly a passion to help break it down for them . I can ’ t recall a single time that I took the time to teach a group about worship that I didn ’ t see transformation occur . It ’ s always worth it .
HELP THEM LISTEN FOR GOD ’ S VOICE . One child asked me about how I started doing music . After I shared my story , he responded that he thinks God is wanting him to do music too . I encouraged him to keep listening for God ’ s voice and be obedient , step by step ! 1 Samuel 3:9 ‘ Speak , Lord , your servant is listening .’ ( NLT )
KNOW THEM . Be able to look in the audience and make eye contact with kids that you know their name . Students where you know some of their story . Boys and girls you ’ ve had conversations with earlier the same day . Those will be the kids that will be most fully engaged . You need them . That eye contact encourages them . I dare even say it empowers them to take the step to participate in that song and declaration . Those relationships are like little embers throughout the group . As you lead everyone and continue to teach them , sparks will be ignited to fan the flame . Jesus was in relationship with His disciples . You are discipling kids in worship . Look them in the eye . Give them high fives . Learn their name . Show you care . As you do that you will encourage them to lean into the Father , simply because they trust you . Hebrews 10:24-25 ‘ And let us consider how we may
spur one another on toward love and good deeds , not giving up meeting together , as some are in the habit of doing , but encouraging one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching .’ ( NIV )
These are a few things that you can put into action no matter where you are on the journey of leading worship . The beauty is you don ’ t have to wait for a fall launch , special event or even next summer to put these ideas into action . The time is now . Maybe you ’ re reading these words for such a time as this .
© 2024 Yancy Ministries , Inc .
Yancy Yancy is a worship leader and songwriter for kids that travels the globe doing family concerts and training worship leaders . Every week her songs are used in thousands of churches around the world . Her Dove Award winning music helps kids fall in love with Jesus one song at a time . Yancy authored the book Sweet Sound : The Power of Discipling Kids in Worship to help your church raise every generation to be worshipers . She lives with her husband and sons in Nashville , TN .
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