→ Notebooking

Buy a notebook or journal for your child to use for taking notes. Give them the responsibility to bring that notebook and Bible to worship with them weekly.

This will not only get your child/children into the habit of preparing themselves for worship, but it will also be a measure of growth as you look back at their notes from week to week.

Here are some things they can do with their notebooks in worship...

• If they are good writers, encourage them to take notes. Write down words, sentences, things that mean something to them. If they cannot write, have them draw pictures!

• Make a list of 4-6 words they hear, then keep a tally of the number of times the pastor talks about this.

• Make a list of the stories that are familiar. Write down the name of the story and the characters in the story.

• Write down the answer to this question at the end of the service: What did God teach you as you heard this sermon?

→ Sticker chart

During the first 10 minutes, help your child write down 5-10 words that they heard in the sermon. Then, during the remainder of the message, when they hear a word from their list, let them choose a sticker to put next to their words.

→ Picture this

Have the child fold a paper into thirds. Have them listen to the first part of the sermon, then draw a picture for the things that were talked about. Repeat this for the middle and end of the sermon.

→ Bingo

Make a Bingo card by drawing 12 squares on a piece of paper. In the first five minutes of the sermon, write down several words or phrases that you want your child to listen for. When they hear the words or phrases, they can color in a square of their bingo card.

→ Model

Teach your children that listening matters. Teach them by listening! Teach them that it's important by showing them how serious you are about it. Bring your Bible and journal and take notes during the sermon so you can discuss it later with your family and your community group.