Child Care.

[pilgrim42]

I have a few questions about the House Church concept.

First of all, how do handle the children? If you have 15 adults and 8 children of different ages, how to you deal with the children? Does one person volunteer for child watch duty or do have several persons who take turns?

When are the children allowed to mix with the adults in the regular service?

What about noisy children. Do they disturb the adults who are worshipping?

Ken

 

[ezeric]

I have a few questions about the House Church concept.

All real good questions.

When we fellowship together its 30 or so, and the children, from 6 years to teens. We move it from house to house as the SPIRIT leads us. Some homes are much more cozy than others too!

First of all, how do handle the children? If you have 15 adults and 8 children of different ages, how to you deal with the children? Does one person volunteer for child watch duty or do have several persons who take turns?

We do different things with the kids.
If its a big group thing, then they all are included, but we don't do those often. With the teens, they often have their own bible reading/prayer/discussion time on their own or sometimes a parent insists the teens join the adults, and so all teens then must come.

The smaller ones play, and at times a parent or they themselves have a very short small time together in that way, but mostly just playing.

When are the children allowed to mix with the adults in the regular service?

Remember it isn't a "service". The entire thing is a 'fellowship' and ours goes on for 10-12 hours usually. We talk together/share and in this we carry burdens. We often will do a sporting/ or walk or soccer or baseball event for everyone, just before our big meal.

Then dessert and talking/sharing.
Then our time of prayer/study/teaching -which is often 2 to 4 hours all by itself - with no agenda, and no direct leader, everyone sharing...including teens if they are willing.

What about noisy children. Do they disturb the adults who are worshipping?

Noise, can be a factor, but often its not as big a factor as you might think, because remember we have earlier just played 1 to 2 hours (we never count time in the day) of sports, so the children are not as wound up, more slowed down, actually!

And worshiping is the entire time from the sharing to the game to the bible teaching and prayer - its a SPIRITUAL worship, not a natural one!
Its one of service, and enjoying JESUS in all things!

Its fun and interactive and not formal - that is why people come!

-eric

 

[1watchman]

In the non-sectarian Bible gatherings in homes that I have experienced, parents tend to their small babies up to about 3 y.o, then they can go to a class with other pre-schoolers or up to 5 or 6. They can there keep busy with a Godly adult learning about God's beloved Son, the Lord Jesus, coloring appropriate pictures, singing songs about the Lord, or listening to a story read, etc. This keeps them busy and happy while adults have a Bible study. Older children have regular classes of Bible readings and discussions. After a half hour or more all adjourn classes and have a half hour social time before the worship meeting begins. It works well.