Parenting in the Pew: Guiding Your Children into the Joy of Worship

Robbie F. Castleman

InterVarsity Press, Dec 14, 2012 - Religion - 154 pages

"Daddy, I'd like you to meet my children." That's Robbie Castleman's attitude about taking her children to church. She believes that Sunday morning isn't a success if she has only managed to keep the kids quiet. And she knows there's more to church for kids than trying out their new coloring books. Children are at church for the same reason as their parents: for the privilege of worshiping God. Worship, Castleman writes, is "the most important thing you can ever train your child to do." So with infectious passion, nitty-gritty advice and a touch of humor, she shows you how to help your children (from toddlers to teenagers) enter into worship. In this significantly revised and updated edition Castleman includes a new preface and two new appendices that provide new perspectives on children's sermon and intergenerational community. She also provides a study guide for personal reflection or group discussion. More than ever, Parenting in the Pew is essential reading for parents and worship leaders who want to help children make joyful noises unto the Lord.

What people are saying

User Review  - Kimberly - Christianbook.com

I enjoyed the conversational style of the book. As a pastor's wife who is frequently alone with active boys in the pew, I appreciated the advice from another pastor's wife. I want my children to learn ...

User Review  - JMM - Christianbook.com

While this book did give me a few ideas how to involved my younger children, it didn't keep my interest. I had to make myself finish reading the book and I have passed it on to someone else.

Contents

• Foreword by Ruth Bell Graham: 9
• Preface to the Revised and Updated Edition: 11
• Daddy Id Like You to Meet My Children: 15
• Worship bc and ad: 24
• Praise and Puppies: 32
• Sunday Morning Starts on Saturday Night: 43
• Counting Bricks or Encountering God: 57
• Make aJoyful Noise: 78
• Prayer Confession and Canned Goods: 88
• Just How Long Was That Sermon?: 102
• Saving Up for Something Special: 117
• The Holy Hug: 130
• Thank You: 139
• Discussion Questions and Reflections: 141
• For Further Reading: 153

About the author

Robbie F. Castleman (D.Min., University of Dubuque) is professor of biblical studies and theology at John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. She previously served for several years as a staff member with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, specializing in ministry to graduate students at campuses in and around Tallahassee, Florida. She is the author of the Fisherman Bible Guides Miracles, Elijah, David and King David (Shaw/Waterbrook) and the IVP Connect LifeGuide Bible Study Peter, and she is a contributor to the book For All the Saints (Knox/Westminster).

Bibliographic information

• Title: Parenting in the Pew: Guiding Your Children into the Joy of Worship
• Author: Robbie F. Castleman
• Edition: revised
• Publisher: InterVarsity Press, 2012
• ISBN: 0830866477, 9780830866472
• Length: 154 pages
• Subjects: Religion / Christian Ministry / Children