CHRISTIAN EDUCATION FEATURE:
Guiding Boys and Girls in Worship by Bernard Wilke
T he W ord of God says, “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God.” M any modem Sunday School children are missing this high and inspiring experience because the Christian worker who leads the assembly period has little knowledge of worship. Worship is adoration of God. It is praise for what He is, and thanksgiving for His works. Objectively, worship centers in God. It is directed to God and is about Him. Subjectively, worship is the reaction in our lives and hearts after realizing who God is and w hat He has done. FORMS OF WORSHIP Informal worship is most effective w ith children. In formal worship is adaptable to the immediate needs and interests of the children. For instance, if M ary comes to Sunday School especially happy because her mother is getting well, offer a prayer of thanksgiving for it in the worship service. Informal worship is planned, but is not confined to a regular order in the service. Formal worship is planned also, and the order of the service is decided beforehand. Those of Junior age group and above can enter easily into formal worship. Spontaneous worship is unforeseen. It may result from seeing a beautiful flower or realizing an answer to prayer. ELEMENTS OF WORSHIP Prayer is the time when we actually talk to God. Use music as preparation for prayer. Discuss w ith the children specific things for which they can thank or praise God in their prayer. Variety, which is essential, may be obtained by having a child pray, or by using a hymn or Scripture verse as a prayer. Have short periods of silent directed prayer. Prayers in Nursery and K indergarten groups should be only one or two sentences long. Scripture used should be determined by the children’s “religious” vocabulary. Ask the question, “W ill the chil dren understand these verses?” Ten verses are enough for Juniors, while fewer verses are necessary for younger children. Here again, variety may be obtained by reading in unison, responsively, or by letting an individual or a certain class read. Also, memorized Scripture may be used effectively. Music holds a prom inent place in worship. Use quiet, reverent, instrum ental music for preludes, offertories, and interludes. In vocal music, hymns are often more worship ful. Test the words of hymns by these questions: “Are these words part of normal children’s language?” Can the children live this tru th ? ” Music of songs should fit the voice range of the children and be simple enough for the children to sing alone. Discuss w ith the children the value of music in the worship of God. The offering can express adoration and glory to God. Use the word “offering” instead of “collection.” Speak of giving “our money,” not “our pennies.” W ith little chil dren, speak of giving to “Gods work” in place of “God.” Let the children tell how they earned the money they gave. Tell them the thing for which their offering is being used.
Poems, stories, film strips, and flannelgraphs can also become inspiring parts of worship. Use a call to worship. This is a poem or Scripture which is used to begin the service. HELPS FOR WORSHIP Good environment is necessary. This means a clean, orderly, well-heated, and ventilated room. The furniture should be the size suited to the age group. Provide a place for the children’s wraps. The atmosphere can be planned. Create atmosphere by room decorations, such as pictures and objects, and music. Pre-session activities can promote atmosphere; interrup tions greatly hinder it. Focus visual aids around the theme, keeping them at the eye level of the children. Visual aids may be used to illustrate stories, hymns, and Scripture. An interest cen ter, which is a “visual expression of the theme,” may be a picture or an object placed in the front of the room where everyone can see it. Proper grading is important. This means dividing chil dren by age groups for worship, such as Juniors, P ri maries, and Nursery. Each age group has a different size vocabulary, different interests and needs. These and other differences indicate th a t children worship best when di vided into age groups. PREPARING FOR WORSHIP Choose a theme for the total program. The children’s interest and needs, or special days and seasons should determine the theme. Gather materials. Select hymns, Scripture, stories, poems, and visual aids which illustrate and develop the theme. Choose the methods of presentation. How w ill the Scripture be read? W ill there be any solos? Duets? Do you w ant silent, directed prayer at the end? Assign the program parts. Give those who play the piano, pray, read Scripture, or tell the story plenty of time to prepare. Let the children have some leadership oppor tunity. Encourage pupil participation. Attempt to organize the material. Perhaps there is a logical arrangement. Decide which hym n or Scripture will best introduce the theme. P lan sentences to join and introduce different parts or elements of the service. Begin preparation early. The worship service w ill not be a success if preparation is rushed or inadequate. Start ing early allows improvement of the original ideas and gives the ideas time to become a p a rt of you. Certainly, if the Holy Spirit can lead a missionary years ahead regard ing his preparation, He can guide you a few weeks or months ahead in preparing to lead the Sunday School’s worship services. There is very definitely a spiritual side to preparation. Pray earnestly for the program and the children. Remem ber, boys and girls worship as individuals, not as groups. Above all, live the truths of the worship services, th a t you may be qualified to lead them.
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