Engaging Kids To Worship

Prep with Prayer And don't Stop.

• Speak life over the group you are about to engage with.
• Thank God for them, the opportunity, and for what God is going to do among you all.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to prep the group so they can receive what He has for them.
• Ask God what songs He wants you to bring.
• Keep praying.  If people could see inside my head while I was leading, they would literally see a moving conversation of prayer!  Thoughts like:  "God help!"  "God, what's next?"  "Jesus, what do you want?"  "I love you!"  Etcetera. Etcetera. :)

If people could see inside my head...
while I was leading, they would literally see a moving conversation of prayer!

Get on Their Level.

• Literally, get down to their eye level if possible. ...Obviously not possible in a large group context.
  
• Make eye contact. Show that you are willing to be vulnerable by doing so.
  
• Listen well. They will give back what we give out.
• Care about their opinion. Watch & value their response.

Lead by Example.

Wanda and Pioneer Camp Staff @ pioneercampalberta.ca

• We are sheep. Follow the Holy Spirit.  Invite the kids to follow as well.
  
• Express yourself – connect your heart with your mannerisms – love God visibly with your heart & might!
• Do what you ask them to do. Body language is important! 

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Show Respect.

• Remember, we are all sheep.  We just come in different packages.
• Think back to when you were their age. Try to resonate as much as possible with their frame of thinking & responding.
• Honour their comments & suggestions.  They have a lot to offer in the conversation.

Don't be Shy.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus...  Hebrews 10:19

• Kid’s respond to music.
• Kid’s respond to confidence.  With that in mind, they will also respond to fear.  If we lead timidly, they will most likely follow in the same manner.
• Be bold in releasing your praise to God … let your love out.  Let God out!

Use their Language.

• Being culturally relevant is just learning the language of the mission field God has us working in.
  
• Don't lose your authenticity though.  Be yourself, but be constantly aware of who you are with and minister to their age level.
  
• Change up arrangements of adult-produced-songs-from-big-people-church-settings and find keys to suit their voices.

Don't work Alone.

• Kids are kids / their attention span is limited.
• We all need adult helpers to assist with crowd control.
• If you don't have help, look for leaders within your group of children and task them to help set an example.
  

Hold your Plan Loosely.

• Always watch how the children are reacting & receiving.
  
• Be open to their questions & thoughts.
  
• Always leave room for the Holy Spirit to inject His thoughts and direction.
  
• Watch the crowd to be aware of how things are landing. Be flexible to accommodate if necessary.
• Don’t keep using songs / material that continually doesn’t land well or doesn’t resonate & create a buy-in for the kids.
  

Bottom line... follow the LEADER.
If we aren’t being led by the Holy Spirit, we will never have the impact & influence we are hoping for.