All of the Parts of Worship Tell the Gospel Story

 

All of the Parts of Worship Tell the Gospel Story God Made Me for Worship helps kids understand each movement of a church service Understanding the different parts of a worship service can be confusing for any young child. One minute everyone is singing loudly, the next everyone is sitting and listening quietly. Sometimes the adults know something that should be said out loud, like, “Thanks be to God!” How did they know what to say? What is communion all about? And why does the pastor raise his hands and pray at the end of the service?   Using the vision of Isaiah 6, God Made Me for Worship: Helping Children Understand Church (New Growth Press/October 12, 2020) by Jared Kennedy focuses on teaching kids about the key liturgical movements in a worship gathering, including the call to worship, praise and adoration, confession, assurance and passing the peace, ministry of the Word and sacraments, and benediction and sending.   Whether your church is currently able to meet in person as normal, has had to move services outside, or is meeting virtually, God Made Me for Worship will help children understand, and in turn, be able to better participate in worship regardless of the setting.  This bright and colorful children’s book illustrated by Trish Mahoney celebrates how God reveals himself to his people in the movements of worship. All the parts of worship tell the story of the gospel, and since Jesus is the object of our worship, his story of redemption gives shape to our worship.   “I wrote this book to give parents a way to introduce their children to public worship. When you think of explaining a worship service, you might say something like, ‘First, we sing. Then, we listen to the sermon,’” Kennedy shares. “But most worship gatherings involve more than music and preaching. When the church gathers, we follow a rhythm—or liturgy—of call and response. It’s like a big game of follow the leader. We hear God speak and then we move in response to him.”   Kennedy guides parents to help their kids understand why we’re intentional about worship, encouraging them to engage—not just to manage behavior during a worship gathering, and invites children to respond to God along with the whole church body. God Made Me for Worship is part of the God Made Me Series which equips parents to have important, impactful conversations with their children, helping them to grow in understanding of God, themselves, and others. Each book in the series contains a special section just for parents and caregivers that provides biblical guidance and offers additional information and resources for talking about the topic addressed in the story.   “The book as a whole is designed to teach kids how every part of a church worship service tells the story of the gospel. But God hasn’t just commanded us to worship him when we come to church,” Kennedy explains. “The Bible teaches us to praise the Lord during every part of our day. I’m really excited about how the special section at the end of God Made Me for Worship can be used to teach our kids to live fully worshipful lives not just on Sundays, but every day of their lives.”   Greg Brewton, Department Chair of Biblical Worship at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, writes, “Jared Kennedy has given us a great resource for churches and families to use with children. God Made Me for Worship is a wonderful way to introduce children to the biblical concepts of congregational worship. This is a much-needed book to help our children understand and participate as the church gathers for worship.”   God Made Me for Worship: Helping Children Understand Church by Jared Kennedy, Illustrated by Trish Mahoney October 12, 2020 / Hardback / Retail Price: $15.99 Print ISBN 978-1-645070-48-1 Religion / Christian Education/ Children

About the author

Jared Kennedy, MDiv, ThM, is the co-founder and managing editor of Gospel-Centered Family, a ministry that helps churches and families share Jesus with the next generation. He also serves as the Children’s and Family Ministry Strategist for the Sojourn Network, and is an adjunct professor at Boyce College.    He is the author of The Beginner’s Gospel Story Bible, Are You Close to God?, Jesus Rose for Me, Jesus Came for Me, and God Made Me for Worship. He has also helped to develop two VBS programs, Proof Pirates and Clap Your Hands, Stomp Your Feet.    Kennedy blogs regularly at Gospel Centered Family and contributes to The Gospel Coalition, ERLC and He Reads Truth.  He and his wife, Megan, have three daughters.   Read more from Jared Kennedy at gospelcenteredfamily.com. He can also be found on Twitter (@jaredskennedy).   Trish Mahoney is a graphic designer and illustrator in Seattle where she runs The Mahoney Studio with her husband, Patrick, also a designer and illustrator. They have two children—both budding artists too. Trish illustrated The Beginner's Gospel Story Bible and is also the illustrator for the God Made Me series.

What others are saying

“Parents and grandparents who want to help children understand and enjoy corporate worship will be very grateful to Jared Kennedy for producing this book. In a delightfully simple and engaging way it answers hard questions about what we do when we gather together as God’s people. You could read and discuss this book together many times to unpack the biblical and pastoral wisdom it contains.” ~ David G. Peterson, Moore College, Sydney, Australia; author of Engaging with God and Encountering God Together   “This book is a creative way for parents to talk with their children about what we do when we gather in worship. Reading this book together in the family room or at the bedside can help prompt a child to ask, and answer, on Sunday, ‘Why are we here?’ and ‘What are we doing?’ as well as, most importantly, ‘Whose are we?’” ~ Russell Moore, President, The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention