How to Include Children in Worship Time

Why Family Devotions Matter

Children are natural observers. They watch how you live, how you pray, and how you handle life’s ups and downs. When kids see faith modeled consistently at home, it sets the foundation for their own relationship with God. Family worship time provides:

• Spiritual bonding: Creating moments of prayer and worship as a family strengthens unity and reminds kids that faith is not an individual journey, it’s something we share together.
• Daily reminders: Kids learn that God is part of everyday life, not just Sunday mornings. This helps them see faith as a constant, not an occasional, part of their world.
• Lasting habits: Consistent devotions teach children how to build their own personal spiritual practices, like prayer and Bible reading, that will guide them into adulthood.

Tip 1: Keep It Short and Simple

Children, especially younger ones, have limited attention spans. Aim for 10–15 minutes of devotion time. A short Bible reading, a worship song, and a quick prayer can be just as powerful as a longer study. By keeping things simple, you ensure that devotions stay consistent instead of being pushed aside because they feel overwhelming.

Amazon Resource Idea: A children’s Bible like the Adventure Bible for Kids is a wonderful tool to make scripture engaging and age appropriate.

Amazon Resource: Adventure Bible for Kids — A children’s Bible like the Adventure Bible for Kids is a wonderful tool to make scripture engaging and age appropriate.

Tip 2: Use Interactive Bible Stories

Kids learn best when they’re actively engaged. Instead of just reading aloud, act out the story together or use visual aids. Puppets, props, or even Lego figures can make Bible stories come alive. When kids can touch, see, and even role-play a story, it sticks in their minds much longer than a simple reading.

Amazon Resource: The Beginner’s Bible — a colorful, illustrated version perfect for younger children.

Tip 3: Incorporate Music

Singing is a joyful way to involve kids in worship. Choose upbeat praise songs or classic hymns with simple lyrics. You can play instruments if your family is musically inclined or simply stream kid-friendly worship songs. Music allows children to worship with their voices, their bodies, and their emotions, it becomes a full experience, not just a listening activity.

Amazon Resource: Portable Bluetooth Speaker — Consider a Bluetooth speaker for easy access to worship playlists during devotion time.

Tip 4: Encourage Participation

Give children roles during devotion time. One child might read a verse, another could say the opening prayer, and another could pick a song. When kids feel involved, they’re more likely to engage wholeheartedly. Even toddlers can participate by holding a picture Bible or repeating short prayers. The more ownership kids have, the more excited they’ll be to join in.

Pro Tip: Rotate responsibilities each day so every child has a chance to participate in different ways.

Tip 5: Make Prayer Personal

Encourage your children to pray about their own lives, school, friendships, or even small worries. When prayer is personal, kids learn that God cares about every part of their world. This not only strengthens their faith but also teaches them to bring everything, big or small, to God in prayer.

Amazon Resource: Children’s Prayer Journal — A children’s prayer journal can help kids write down prayers and reflect on how God answers them.

Tip 6: Add Creative Activities

Hands-on activities can make devotion time exciting. Try:

• Drawing pictures that represent the Bible story.
• Writing memory verses on colorful index cards and decorating them.
• Doing simple crafts that reinforce the theme of the day.
• Acting out a skit of a Bible lesson and letting kids “perform” it.

These activities make faith fun and tangible, especially for kids who learn best by doing.
Amazon Resource: Family Craft Kit — Keep supplies in handy with a family craft kit for devotion nights.

Tip 7: Be Consistent but Flexible

Consistency builds routine, but flexibility ensures that worship time doesn’t become a burden. If evenings are too busy, try mornings at breakfast or even a quick devotion in the car on the way to school. The key is making it work for your family’s lifestyle.

Remember, it’s about connection, not perfection. A skipped day here and there doesn’t mean failure, just pick back up the next day. What matters most is that your children see worship as a natural and enjoyable part of life.

Tip 8: Celebrate Milestones

Celebrate when your kids memorize a verse, finish a Bible storybook, or lead a prayer. A simple reward, hug, or word of encouragement makes them feel proud of their spiritual growth. This helps kids recognize that learning about God is something worth celebrating.

Amazon Resource: Reward Chart — Use a reward chart to track progress and celebrate achievements.

Tip 9: Lead by Example

Perhaps the most powerful way to include children in worship is to model it yourself. When your kids see you reading your Bible, singing with joy, or praying sincerely, they’ll learn that faith isn’t just something we talk about, it’s how we live. Your example teaches them more than any lesson you could give.

Be open about your own walk with God. Share answered prayers, times when you’ve struggled, and how God has guided you. This vulnerability teaches children that faith is real, not scripted.

A Sample Family Devotion Plan

1. Opening Song (2 min): Play a kid‑friendly worship track.
2. Bible Reading (3–4 min): Read a short passage or storybook chapter.
3. Discussion (2–3 min): What did you learn? How can we live this today?
4. Prayer (2–3 min): Each person prays one sentence.
5. Activity/Memory Verse (2–3 min): Draw, act, or recite together.

This format can be adjusted depending on the day, but keeping a loose structure helps kids know what to expect and builds routine.

Pro tip: Keep a small “devotion basket” with a children’s Bible, verse cards, crayons, scissors, glue stick, and your speaker remote so everything’s ready.