WORSHIP DISCUSSION GUIDE FOR FAMILIES

Your Name:

Date/Hour of Service:

IMPORTANT: Worship Discussion Guides are to be completed in conversation with parents or with another adult who attended worship with you. PLEASE complete Worship Discussion Guides after the service--on the way home, or at Sunday lunch or dinner for instance. Keeping the bulletin from the service will provide a good reference for completing your Worship Discussion Guide. Parents: there are questions for you on the reverse.

THE MUSIC

Of all the music (hymns, songs, chants, special music, prelude, postlude) you experienced during the service, which did you appreciate or enjoy most? Why?

THE SCRIPTURE READINGS

Pick one of the Bible lessons which were read in worship.

Write a thought, feeling, question, or observations you had about this lesson. What is the overall message of this text? How can you apply it to your own Christian walk?

THE SERMON

Who Preached?

What was the preacher's main point(s) in this sermon?

What was one thing that you appreciated or enjoyed about the sermon?

What was one thing that you did not understand about the sermon?

Write one other thought, feeling, question or observation you had about this sermon.

THE LORD'S SUPPER [leave blank if there was no Holy Communion at this service]

What is one thing you appreciated or enjoyed about the Communion service?

Write one thought, feeling, question or observation you had about the Communion portion of today's service. (Your comments may include personal experience, questions about the meaning of Communion, what you observed in the others who were taking Communion, etc.)

THE OTHER STUFF

Was there a sermon for children? If so, what was the main point?

What was one of the subjects or people prayed for during the Prayers of The Church?

Write a comment about any Baptism, Installation, or other special ceremony which was part of the service.

Write about one thing from your experience of the service that made you laugh or smile.

Write one additional thought, feeling, question or observation you have about worship. Or, if you donÇt want to write, draw a picture!

FOR PARENTS (Student: if you did not worship with a parent, have another adult fill out this part.)

Write what impressed you most about this worship service.

Write what you heard the preacher say in the sermon.

Write how you perceived GodÇs presence and/or action in worship.

Dear Parent: Thanks for your participation in worship today and for discussing the worship service with your child. Recent studies show that parents (and not pastors, congregations, or youth programs) are the main influences in a child's faith development. We hope that this exercise provided an opportunity for solid discussion for you family.

Parent's (or other attending adult's) Signature:

Student's signature:

By Hans Wiersma (c) 1998. Used with permission.