Questions for parents

[AggieBrad]

I have an 8 year old step daughter who has never really been involved in church. Her father has full custody of her and never takes her to church at all. We are going to have overnight visitations very soon and we want to take her to our church on the Sundays that she is with us. How do we go about easing her into the church lifestyle? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[GREG]

answer all her questions she may have..... be patient and maybe start out with servise first or maybe Wednesday nights... less formal. Im just throwing option since I dont know her.....

good luck

 

[kimber1]

i agree, go slow. i know when my 11 year old first started going to church he was more comfortable staying with me at first even thought they had a seperate service for the kids. but he eventually left me for the kids and he adores it now!!

 

[49erfan]

You might try Sunday School first. Being with kids her own age in classroom setting might seem natural to her.

(Let the teacher know ahead of time that she has never been to church before, so he/she can ease her into the lessons).

 

[draper]

Well if she doesn't seem interrested, don't force it on her, they say that's the absolute worse thing a parent can do, it makes the kid resentful towards both them and the church...

Maybe try reading some of the bible to her before...

 

[BeanMak]

I disagree a bit with draper. I agree in not forcing older teens, but most 11 year olds without a history of church life may not be interested. If you are matter of fact about it, such as- it is just what you do as a family, she will go along with it. She is too young to leave at home by herself, and so if the family is at church, that is where she will be too. The other ideas about sunday school, or keeping her with you sound like good ideas, depending on her disposition.

 

[draper]

Well basically what I was getting at is, 'Make sure she knows she doesn't HAVE to be Christian...'

As in make sure she isn't 100 % forced.

 

[neveragainindarkness]

If she is comfortable with it, invite a person her age over from church. That way someone her own age can tell her everythign about the church, services, programs, and what they think about it. She may be more comfortable asking someone her age about the church. Make sure she knows that if she has any questions that she can ask you. Or maybe see if you coudl tour her through the church before an actually service so she knows where everything is already. And I agree with draper...make sure she knows she is not being forced to believe in God and the Christian religion. That is her decision to make. God gave us free will to choose Him, let her also.

 

[desi]

I would tell her, 'we always going to church on x day morning because we want to learn about God. Since you are with us would you like to stay with the grownups or go to the kid's class?' By providing a small choice in the matter you will ease her into it without fighting a phyrric battle.

 

[Etharia]

But make sure it's now an option on whether or not she goes. If you make it an option, many children tend to think that it must not be that important, it's just something that mommy likes to do.