“Milo Church” with the Whole Family

Hate fighting with kids to go to bed every night?  Find smaller kids a hassle when doing a church or bible study session at home?

Have you got small children and want to include them into an AIM church or session? Hakuna matata (hakuna wasiwasi) -  No problem – No worries,  and you can have fun too!

Ever heard “Mum I want a drink before bed”, “Mum can I have a snack before bed”, “Mum church is boring”, “Mum I don’t want to go to bed can’t I stay up with you, I’ll be quiet” and another hundred bed time/ church excuses?

Just keep the same format that you’re used to.  That is AIM (Accountability to each other and God, Intimacy with God and Multiplication of the Kingdom). One third, one third and one third.  Nothing different there but you might want to add some tweaks that my wife first suggested when our children were 6 years and under.

First:

Offer a Milo (a hot chocolate drink).  Sweetened warm milk offers a natural sedative for bedtime by the way.  My kids only get this treat during Milo Church so it is doubly special to them. 

A) We keep it for this occasion and don’t over use it so it is a real treat

B) They know that if they do not behave to your standards for the day, they have to go to bed early and miss out on our “special family time”.  This seems to get to them more than any punishment we would deal out?

Second:

To start the ball rolling we open with prayer as usual,  then we take turns for a child to pick and opening song.  (Anything suitable that the kids like will do; a Sunday School song, Vegitales or a modern song like some of Colin Buchanan’s, etc...)

At the start of our worship time (After “Accountability” and before the SOS bible study, that is during the start of the “Intimacy” section) we go all out.  Every child takes a turn at picking a song and we belt it out having as much fun as we can, if appropriate.  They adults get to pick some too.  (This really extends bedtime and it is not missed on them.)

Lastly:

Before the closing benediction/commissioning prayer we offer a child to pick a closing song.

The Milo can be served any time you deem appropriate during this process.

Somehow this always ends the day well and they sleep like a log.  (Or they know they will miss out on the next special family time…)  No, really!  This really helps our family to run a lot smoother and in step with our Master.

Hope this helps.

If you have found ways to include children into your discovery bible study/church meeting please let us know!!

The team at MGAH/AIM Trainers