How to Worship Online with Your Family and Friends

This weekend, we will be worshiping together online in order to help stop the spread of Coronavirus. You’ve probably watched the livestream before, but we wanted to give seven tips on how to get the most out of the experience.

1. Don’t watch, worship.

We are all so used to watching TV that we will actively need to change our mindset. Remind yourself, “This isn’t a show. This isn’t entertainment. This is an opportunity for me to worship the living God.” It may help to encourage the friends and family you’re worshipping with to remember that as well: we aren’t here to watch, we’re here to worship.

2. Sing out loud.

It will probably feel weird at first, but take the lead and sing out loud. Maybe turn the volume up a bit so you don’t feel like you’re soloing. If you’ve got kids, make it fun. Encourage them to sing with you.

3. Don’t multitask.

Treat online worship like in-person worship. Don’t try to do the dishes or fold laundry or browse social media. That’s a recipe for treating worship like entertainment. Fight distraction and honor God with your focus.

4. Take notes.

During the sermon, pull out pencil and paper. Many people find that this helps keep them focused (which is especially important when you’re distracted by a million things that need to be done at home).

5. Invite one or two (healthy, not at-risk) neighbors.

If you have a handful of neighbors who go to the Crossing invite them over to worship with you. Or maybe you know a neighbor who is struggling with fear and anxiety over Coronavirus. This weekend’s sermon will be a huge encouragement. Invite them over to hear a message that will help them rest.

6. Teach your kids about God.

If you have kids involved in CK, you already have (or will be sent) a video lesson for preschool-aged kids, and a printable lesson for your elementary-aged kids. Make a memory with them. Practice teaching them about God. This could be the start of something God calls you to everyday (Deut. 6:4-9). If you have elementary-aged kids, check your email—we sent this week’s class straight to you.

7. Don’t neglect your spiritual health for the sake of your physical health.

God commands us to worship because he knows it’s food for our souls. No sane person would choose to go for a week without food. Don’t go for a week without God. Take leadership in your apartment or house by encouraging everyone to worship with you and trust God during these difficult days.

Because we live in a world of convenience, one of our inevitable temptations will be losing the habit of going to church and replacing it with a livestream. In dire moments like this, we should be thankful for online worship. But let’s not forget that it is never a replacement for worshipping together. As the author of Hebrews reminds us, we must “not neglect meeting together” for the good our souls (Heb. 10:25).