KIDS WORSHIP
SEEKING WISDOM TO HELP KIDS EXPERIENCE GOD ’ S PRESENCE | Yancy
Do you remember the old newspaper column “ Dear Abby ”? Someone would write in to get advice about how to handle a particular situation that they were in . Getting advice and gaining wisdom is always a good thing . In fact , scripture tells us in James 1:5 “ If any of you lacks wisdom , you should ask God , who gives generously to all without finding fault , and it will be given to you .” I am so thankful for that piece of advice scripture gives us . I want to remind you of it today for whatever you ’ re thinking about and trying to solve . Ask God for wisdom . I know He will speak and shine a light on your next steps .
I ’ ll be honest and say there have been some things happening in the world lately that make me sick . My spirit has been groaning . I ’ ve seen people whose hearts are hardened towards God , and I wrestle with what happened . What happened in their church ? What was the experience that pushed them away ? As I have been processing and praying , I ’ ve never been more convinced that it ’ s less about institutions and programs . Showing up and checking boxes isn ’ t getting the job done . As I process , pray , and discern I can ’ t help but come to the conclusion that the difference maker is the presence of God . The presence of God makes it all real . The presence of God makes you hunger , ache and long for more . The presence of God pulls you in . The presence of God sustains you . I could go on and on . To put it simply , I ’ ve never been more convinced that we must be diligently helping children encounter the presence of God . That is a key part of the discipleship process as we lead songs to help kids express their worship and encounter God . Not just at summer camp or some special revival weekend but in discipline of their daily relationship with the Lord .
On a recent Sunday I was serving in our kid ’ s worship band at my church playing keyboard . After one of the services , I was in the hallway and talking to a family I ’ m friends with . I was talking to a boy who is one of my son ’ s friends . This young man is a first grader . I ’ ll never forget how he looked up at me . He was smiling big and testified about what he experienced in worship that day . He told me , “ It was the first time I felt the presence of God in worship .” YES ! This is what we long for . His smile was as big as if he had just won a trip to Disney World . Talk about a win for our worship team that day .
The young boy was moved that day because he tasted the very thing we were made for . The beautiful thing is that this now means he is hungry for more . I loved getting to encourage the rest of our team : THIS is why we show up , model , teach and lead them . To help them learn the path of running to the Father in everything they face ! That first grader is now hungry for more .
Worship discipleship looks like helping kids fall in love with Jesus one song at a time . They might just seem like three-to-four-minute songs to you but know that those seconds and minutes lead to people engaging with God . As they minister to Him their offering of worship , He makes Himself real to them . That ’ s the beautiful exchange that happens in worship .
Jesus told us in the great commission to go and make disciples . I ’ m sure you ’ re familiar with Matthew 28:19 & 20 , “ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations , baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit , and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you .” We generally restrict that verse to just be about salvation , but I ’ ll be honest . I ’ ve been convicted and burdened lately about the disciples I ’ m making that love to worship . When I look at scripture , I see that worship is a part of our devotion . I don ’ t believe it ’ s optional . I believe it ’ s evidence of someone in love with Jesus .
Every time you serve you are helping so many other kids who we may never hear their testimony of experiencing the presence of God . Thank you times a million for your yes . Thank you for your obedience to the Father . Thank you for clearing a path and seeking wisdom for the songs to lead them in . It ’ s worth it my friends . I ’ ve never been surer of it . May we seek wisdom for helping the kids and students we lead encounter His presence and taste and see that the Lord is good . Selah .
© 2023 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 is all the things kids love and everything adults value . Her popular worship resources include “ Little Praise Party ”, “ Kidmin Worship ” and “ Heartbeat Curriculum ”. Yancy wrote her first children ’ s musical for Lillenas Kids : “ Best Christmas Song Ever ”. She authored the book “ Sweet Sound : The Power of Discipling Kids in Worship ”. She lives with her husband and sons in Nashville , TN .
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