When You Can't Listen to the Sermon

An encouragement to just show up

---

Photo by Karl Fredrickson on Unsplash

Attending church on Wednesday evenings is difficult for my family. Not because we don’t want to be there, but because we are busy. Busy with the day, with dance class, with dinner. And so we’ve let Wednesday night Bible study go by the wayside far too many times this year because of busyness.

The other night, however, we were determined to be there. And it was a blessing, but I found myself not able to listen to some of the lesson — and Shale wasn’t really able to listen at all — because of the kids. Now, kids are kids. They were restless. If it wasn’t us having to quiet them down, it was Shale having to take our youngest to the bathroom, or something else.

When that happens, what’s the point of even showing up? What purpose is there in going to church when you aren’t able to listen to the sermon or lesson? Why even bother?

1. Your presence is a blessing.

There have been moments when I am sitting in the pew before service begins and notice a family walking through the doors whom I haven’t seen in awhile. Their mere presence is a blessing to see, because it shows they view coming to church as a priority.

The same applies to you. You simply showing up to church or a mid-week Bible study is going to bless others in attendance. They will be encouraged by seeing you show up even amid busyness, exhaustion, and frustration.

2. Focus on fellowship.

Even if you can’t focus on the sermon because of different factors, you can focus on fellowship before and after. Like I mentioned, our children are generally good during Bible study, but every now and then—like last time—they hinder us from truly getting much from the lesson. Therefore, our goal should be to focus our attention on fellowshipping with other believers before and after service.

This means we make the effort to stay for a little bit after the service to mingle with others (even if it means a later bedtime for everyone involved). We’re not perfect at this, but there’s deep value in simply talking with other Christians after service. Catch up with the person you haven’t spoken with in awhile. Check in on the person you’re discipling. Invite someone over for dinner. Share your heart with someone.

3. Setting an example.

For those with kids, they will notice what takes priority in the family’s life. Though you can’t get through the sermon or Bible study without taking care of them, they will see the example you’re setting and follow it in the future. It’s the little things here and there that children will notice that will make an impact later in their life.

4. Obeying the Lord.

Perhaps this is an obvious one, but it bears mentioning. We should still go to church even if we can’t listen to the sermon because we must obey the Lord. It can be discouraging to attend service and not be able to listen because of various factors, certainly including your kids. This might cause you to feel like just not going. I’ve been there. But we can’t allow that to become the norm; we can’t let that take hold in our hearts. Even if it’s hard, we still go.

5. Bits and pieces.

As distracted as we can be during a service at times, there will always be moments—even small ones—where you hear the preaching of God’s Word, or perhaps are blessed by a particular song lyric during worship. God can take the tiniest information and use it to sanctify you. Don’t lose heart.

6. Encouragement to your pastor(s).

Your pastors will appreciate you showing up. They will be encouraged by your faithfulness to attend service even when you are too distracted with your kids to listen. You’re there, and that means the world to him. We need to remember ways to intentionally encourage our pastors—the ones who keeping watch over your soul (Heb. 13:17)—and this is one of them.

7. Just show up.

If might seem like a waste of time to venture out to church when you are certain that distractions will hinder you from listening. Don’t let that stop you. Satan wants nothing more than for you to not attend service. We have to make the point to go to church even when it’ll be hard, even if it feels like we’re getting nothing out of it. God is working amidst that.

---