You may have checked off all previous seven tips and you may still feel like it was a complete waste of time; like nothing got through to your child. It’s at that point that you must remember the first two rules: They retain more than you think they do. They understand more than you think they do.

They sit there next to you and their feet don’t even hit the floor. You’re thinking, “What, if anything, of this sermon is sinking into my kid’s head?” And with that little thought you’ve already decided not to engage with your child about the sermon. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Let me introduce you to the most important rule when talking to your kids about a sermon: They retain more than you think they do. The second most important rule is like it: They understand more than you think they do.

Take these two truths seriously and make the decision as a parent to talk to your kids about the sermons you hear. I’m writing this both as a preacher and as a parent of four boys under the age of 11. I’ve failed, succeeded, and failed some more at talking to my kids about Jesus. And it is still hard work as they grow older. But it is good work.

At the heart of the Gospel is Jesus introducing us to his loving Father. In worship we get to make a similar introduction—we get to introduce our kids to Jesus. Don’t miss that opportunity.

8 Tips for Talking to Your Kids About the Sermon

1. Remember the outline. It doesn’t matter whether or not you keep written notes. Remember the gist of what is being taught. If your pastor preaches for 40 minutes, then try to make a mental note of what you’ve covered at the 20-minute point. Don’t be discouraged if you can’t get every point; get as many of the big ones as you can.

2. Know the one, main point. Every passage and every sermon—no matter what your pastor says—has a main point. Grab it when you see it go by and don’t let it go. And as a word of caution, every preacher has a bad day. Sometimes the structure of the sermon looks like a piece of abstract art. If so, do the best you can. But don’t let the preacher close in prayer without having a main point in your head.

3. How is Jesus the hero? Now that you have an outline and main point, make sure you have Jesus too. How was Jesus the hero of the sermon? Kids are incorrigibly self-centered—and so are most adults. Make sure you have a ton to say about Jesus, no matter what book of the Bible the sermon came from or where the preacher went with it. Without an emphasis on Jesus your little saints will grow up thinking that the Bible is all about them.

Read More