Worship “Preflight”

For anyone involved in aviation to any degree, there is a key word that is very much a part of what is required in order to have a safe and enjoyable flight; that is “preflight.”

Preflight is your preparation before flying. You have to plan and fill out a flight plan if you’re going to travel anywhere. Also, you need to know the weather, so you must receive a weather briefing. You need to look over your aircraft in order to observe if anything is wrong or could potentially be a problem. You want to be as thoroughly prepared as you can be before becoming airborne. (There’s an old saying, ‘I’d rather be on the ground wishing I was in the air, than in the air wishing I was on the ground.”) Being prepared makes for a more enjoyable time of flying.

Last month we talked about having a God‐centered family worship, and how we want to encourage each family to participate in a way that is suitable to where they are in life – without excluding anyone. One of the keys to this is being prepared for worship. You’ve got to have a worship “preflight!” It is an area in which we need to be strategic in our thinking. Let me give you a few ideas for consideration using the acronym P.R.E.P.A.R.E.

P

Pray. During the week, find a time together as a family to pray specifically about our corporate time of worship. This could also be done on Sunday morning – perhaps around the table over breakfast. Not breakfast people? You could do this as you drive to church together. Take some time to ask God to get your hearts ready for worship and time in the Word, as well as for the hearts of others that are coming.

R

Read. Usually, since the sermons are expositional, you can spend some time in the week reading the upcoming chapter. And what if the sermon is NOT based on the next chapter, but something else? That’s usually the exception, and not the rule – but there’s no harm done either way! “ALL Scripture is inspired by God…” (2 Tim. 3:16). Read through the text and begin to prepare everyone’s hearts-including yours!

E

Explain. I’ve seen small children show up on Sunday morning thinking that they are going to AWANA. Sometimes, especially with small children, it’s good to tell them that you are going to church – and not assume that they know that. Explain to them what it is that they will be doing, and (for those with younger children) it’s good to talk to them in advance as to what you expect of their behavior. Give them specific instructions as to your expectations (possibly even warning them as to what will take them out of the service). This is also a good time to talk of discipline, as well as reward for good behavior!

P

Purpose to set the day apart. Make Sundays an extra‐special day, and let those in your home know it from the beginning of the day. Perhaps this would be a day in which you fix that favorite breakfast. If so, then live it up! Go all out! Build the anticipation as to how Sunday is a different day! Change the routine from other days of the week, so that kids will be excited! In our home, we used to set aside Sundays as a day in which we would have a special dessert in the afternoon. Everyone anticipated “Sunday treat,” and they KNEW when Sunday was coming, and that it was a different day.

A

Acquire a means to serve. Is there a way in which you could serve on Sundays as a family? Obtain an “ownership” for your family so that they know they aren’t just receiving on Sundays, but they can participate and give as well! Helping to set up
classes, touch‐up cleaning, greeting, etc. can be a great way to plug in to a deeper level of participation, and to give your children a vested interest.

R

Retire to bed at a decent hour on Saturday. How energized can you be on Sunday if you go to bed at 2:00 am? I sure can’t. This is especially the case for those with small children. If they can get to bed at a decent hour, they will come refreshed on
Sundays! And so will you.

E

Expect great things! Come with anticipation! Come ready for God to speak to you! Come ready to sing and exalt Jesus Christ! Come ready to serve our God and one another! Come ready to fellowship with your brothers and sisters!

Does all of this sound like too much? Keep in mind – these are just ideas, and not a checklist. You might come up with your own ideas that are better suited to you and your family. The point is to be strategic about your worship – especially as a family. Don’t just let things passively happen on Sunday mornings. Get your preflight done, and then come ready to fly high together on Sunday morning!