Introduce your church’s children to the space they worship in and bring it to life in a whole new way! This 10-part children’s message series examines the many components that can make up a worship space and explores how they help us worship.

Written for preschool and elementary aged children, but instructive and inspiring for all ages!

Note: There are several spots in this children’s message series where you will need to adjust the wording to describe your church’s Sanctuary.

The 10 weeks cover:

Series Introduction – What is worship exactly, and why do we have a special place for it? Can worship only happen in these special places? This introductory message will invite kids into the wonder of worship.

The Room (Sanctuary & Narthex) – Using pictures, explore the wide variety of sanctuary designs and help kids think about the significance of their similarities and differences. This message includes generic pictures of sanctuaries in cathedrals, mega churches, small one-room churches and a mainline Protestant church. This message also touches on the Narthex and how it serves as a reminder to prepare for worship.

The People (Ushers, Pastors, Congregation) – “This is the church, this is the steeple, open the doors and see all the people!” Lead kids in naming the roles of all the people who gather to worship, including them, and to celebrate the joy of worshipping together.

Pews (Bibles, Hymnals) – What makes a church pew different from a movie theater seat or their seat at school? And why are those differences important? Help kids realize what a special place those church benches are and the special role they hold in filling them.

Chancel – Do kids view the front of your sanctuary where people stand to lead worship as a familiar space or a mystery? Give your kids the inside scoop on what all the places are called and how the layout of your church’s chancel shapes how your congregation worships.

Paraments – Kids can appreciate how decorations contribute to celebrating a special occasion. This message suggests that paraments are like decorations for the church, and explores which colors connect to which liturgical seasons.

Music – Every church has its own musical traditions, but have you ever listed all of them all at once? Celebrate all the musicians of your congregation while helping kids appreciate the role of music in worship.

Sacraments – Kids love special occasions, and probably already understand that communion and baptism are special occasions in the church. During this message, invite kids to take a closer look at your church’s communion table and baptismal font as they remember the message of God’s love that is imbued in those practices.

Stained Glass Windows – Take a short dive into art and church history to help kids understand why stained-glass windows are a part of so many churches. This message will be doubly enriched by whatever history and details you can add about the windows in your church.

The Cross – Play “I Spy” with kids to see how many crosses they can spot, big and small, within your sanctuary. This concluding message reminds kids that the cross is what makes an ordinary room a Sanctuary, a place where they can feel and grow in God’s love.

This listing is for churches with 101-500 members. See identical listings for smaller or larger churches.