Shari sits in church every Sunday, but most Sundays she’s fighting just to pay attention. Her mind wanders so much that, when the service is over, she wonders why she even came in the first place.
Is that you? Does your mind wander a lot during the service? Everyone has trouble concentrating on church sometimes. Hey, it’s not called Sunday MORNING for nothing. It’s early, and like most teenagers you probably spent Saturday night hanging out with your friends or staying up a little late. So it’s no wonder that it is hard to concentrate sometimes.
However, there are some things you can do to get a little focus back on the service rather than letting your mind wander the entire time.
- Ready Your Mind. You can get your mind ready for church. Usually what we get out of church comes from our attitude toward going. If you don’t want to be there then it is unlikely that you will be able to pay attention. Try to focus on the things you like about going to church and find the things you enjoy most about it. Also, remember that church is not about entertainment, but about getting closer and learning more about God.
- Take Notes.Take notes during the sermon. Several churches put a “Notes” page on their programs for this reason. They do not need to be detailed notes like you take in school, but just main ideas so you can remember what the pastor was talking about.
- Get involved. Sometimes it helps if you teach on Sundays. Maybe you can teach a Sunday School class. When you feel involved it is easier to pay attention.
- Go to a Youth Service. Nothing against hymns or sermons about marriage and growing older, but it is hard for young people to relate. A youth service usually has more modern worship and a relevant message. If you church does not have a youth service then you may want to suggest one to your pastor.
Hebrews 10:25 - Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (NIV)
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