Two Rules

1. Sit Up Straight

2. No Talking

That's it? That's it! Simplicity is the best policy, when it comes to rules in children's church. Our kids have our Two Rules memorized, and we review them every week as we begin the announcements. It is absolutely futile to post a list of ten rules, when... 1) It would waste five minutes of your precious hour to review the list every week; 2) The kids would never be able to remember the rules (and probably wouldn't give much of a rip!); 3) You wouldn't be able to remember them either, which means you wouldn't be able to enforce them, which means they would be useless!

Save yourself a lot of trouble, and make yourself a simple poster with the Two Rules. Then teach them to your children as soon as possible and see to it that they get enforced.

How Do You Enforce the Two Rules?

Those who obey the Two Rules get many special privileges:

* They get to participate in the Review Game

* They get a shot at playing the Behavior Award Game

* They get to help by holding the song visuals, taking up the offering, etc.

If we find that we are having trouble with a particular child not wanting to obey the rules, we first gently remind the child of the rules. A lot of times all it takes is a stern look. Or look at the child while pointing to the Two Rules poster, if the child is new. If a child is really out of hand, one of us will go sit right down next to him. For more suggestions...

Link From Two Rules to Dealing With Discipline