Making the Most of Sunday Mornings
There are few things I enjoy as much as gathering with my church family on Sundays. Not only do I enjoy it; I believe it’s good for me. We typically choose to go to church because we believe it’s worth our time and effort. We want to hear from God through His Word and join others in authentic worship. We know that gathering with the church shapes our lives in positive ways.
That being said, Sunday mornings can be challenging. Between drowsiness from a busy Saturday, getting everyone dressed and out the door, finding a parking spot, and settling into a seat in the auditorium, it can be difficult to really feel “ready” for church. It’s one thing to understand the blessings that flow from being in church on Sundays, and it’s another thing to really experience those blessings we long for.
Sadly, many of us don’t regularly put ourselves in a position to receive all that God wants to give us through the weekly gathering of the church family. How can we change that? What can we do to make the most of Sunday mornings? Here are five simple tips:
Pray. God works in response to our prayers. He loves it when we express our dependence upon Him. Take some time Saturday night or early Sunday morning to pray for God’s blessing upon the gathering of the church. Even if you are running late, you can offer a quick prayer as you pull into the parking lot. Pray for others - the ministers, the volunteers, the first-time guests, the non-Christians who will be in the room. Pray for yourself - ask Him to help you pay attention and avoid distractions. Ask Him to reveal to you areas where you need to repent or grow.
Read Ahead. While each church is unique, many churches and pastors follow a predetermined plan for their sermons. Your pastor has likely planned and announced his current sermon series and given you an idea of what passage he’ll be teaching on Sunday. If that’s the case, consider taking time to read that passage before the service. The more you know about these verses, the better you’ll be able to understand and process the pastor’s teaching. Hopefully, going into the message with some prior knowledge of the text will enhance your listening and learning experience.
Arrive Early. This one isn’t always easy, especially if you have young children, but arriving in time to get the kids checked in, find a seat in the worship center, and “settle in” a bit before the service will help you be better prepared mentally. Being early also provides opportunities for you to interact with others and catch up with those you haven’t seen recently. Those pre-service conversations can be so helpful and encouraging, especially if you are able to greet a first-time guest.
Stay Late. You may be hungry and ready for lunch, but resist the temptation to rush out. Hang out for a while and talk. Having served on staff at several churches over the years, I have noticed that the churches where people hang around and chat seem to have a stronger sense of fellowship and camaraderie than those where everyone rushes out. It says something about the friendliness of your church when people like to be around one another.
Join a Group. This one might seem like a sneaky plug for small groups instead of a tip for making the most of Sundays, but there’s actually a strong connection here. The more time you spend with your church family outside of Sunday mornings, the more meaningful your experience with them will be on Sundays because you know them better. And, as a bonus, many churches (including Arrowhead) offer groups that utilize sermon discussion guides during their group meetings so that what you’re discussing with your group builds on what you heard Sunday morning. Think of it like a “lecture & lab” format where you seek to apply what you were taught. This can take your learning experience to a whole new level!
Sundays are such a gift. God, in His wisdom, has called the church to gather regularly for worship and discipleship. It is such a privilege to be a part of this weekly rhythm. Let’s do all we can to make the most of Sunday mornings!
To find a list of our connect groups and sign up online, click here.