Helping Families Grow Closer to GodParents as spiritual mentors

LifeAlways begins with GodFocus is on GodGod is the one who transforms usWe need to be in God for the world rather than in the world for GodEngage every relationship in the context of God’s presence and transforming activity

OutlineSpend time with GodExplore elements which foster faithReflect on our relationship with God

Key Elements for Equipping

Informing is good doing is betterShare Experiences Lead to Shared Story and IdentityNeed for Presence, Engagement and VoiceThe journey includes

SpacePracticesPlace

Christian Formation

Our continuing journey of being transformed by the Holy Spirit into the likeness of Christ, experiencing and expressing love for God and others.

Mature Faith

Roman 8:29 “…be conformed to the image of his son…”2 Cor. 3:17-18 “we are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord the Holy Spirit.

Maturity is always connected with

the likeness of Christ.

Essential Shifts 1. From primary focus on program to

Relationship

2. From head emphasis to heart, head and hands

3. From primarily segmented to integrated and holistic

God’s Call to ParentsDeuteronomy 6:4-9

7 Dynamics most directly related to mature faith in

children /youth.Mother who models faith;Father who models faith;Regular dialogue with mother on faith/life issues;Servant hood events with a parent as an action of faith.Regular reading of the Bible and devotions in the home;Regular dialogue with father on faith/life issues;Regular dialogue with other adults on faith/life issues;

  Effective Christian Education; a National Study of Protestant Congregations (Minneapolis: Search Institute, 1990).

How do we hear God’s voice in the midst of all the other voices?

Are there other voices and pressures pulling us away from spending time with God and including God in our daily lives?

Spiritual Goals

Personal:

My Children:

ChildrenChildren are a gift from God Ps 127:3Children embody sin Rom 3:23Children reflect how we are to enter the kingdom Luke 18:16Children are the continuing expression of our spiritual heritage Deut. 6:2 &4-9Children are agents of God’s unconditional loveChildren give us opportunity to love unconditionally

Biblical FoundationsFor the inclusion of Children

Children welcome in God’s kingdomMt.18:2-5, Mk. 9:36-37, Lk. 18:15-17

The Word of God is for children Deut. 31:10-13

Teach children God’s Word Ps. 78:5-7, Prov. 22:6

The promise of the gospel, for children Acts 2:38-39

Children can be God’s ambassadors 1 Sam. 3:1-19

Parents are called as spiritual mentorsDeut. 6:4-9, Prov. 1:8, Eph. 6:1-4, Titus 1:6

Instruction to parents Col. 3:21, 1 Thes. 2:11-12

Faith Community called to nurture children Deut 6:4-7

Care, Worth, Place and Role

Key concerns for infants to 2Can I trust others to care for me?

Key concerns for children 3-6Worth: How can I help? Modeling/affirmingForgiveness: Am I still loved if I make a mistake?

Key concerns for grade school children.Am I accepted?What’s my place in society?

Key concerns for teensWho am I?What is my role?

Four Elements Which Foster Growth

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Faith PracticesGod’s Word

Relationships

Outward Action

Worship

God’s WordShaping our actions and our lives“Teach them to obey everything that I

have commanded you.” Matthew 28:20a

More than a story/a relationshipDwelling with God

God’s WordSpace

Practices

Place

Sharing God’s Word With our Children

Find a Bible that is age appropriate

Pray before you begin

Read together with your child or have your child read to you.

Tell the story to younger children

Keep it short

Sharing God’s Word With our Children

Have children retell the story to youAsk wondering questions about the storyHave children imagine being in the story

What would you smell, feel, taste?Act out the storyDraw a picture about the storyPray about the story

Exploring God’s WordDwell in the WordSense explorationVisual expressionWritten expressionWondering Questions

What did you see or sense?What did you notice about God?What did you notice about you and God?

Young Children Ages 3-6 The Beginners Bible, God’s Story for Me,

The Jesus Story Book Bible: Zonderkidz www.covchurch.org/children/reading-guide/

Needs simple, clear directionsRequires routine and repetitionLearns through stories, songs and family routines Can articulate their love for GodCan prayCan Understand

I belong to God’s familyGod made meGod made everythingGod is goodGod loves meGod takes care of me

Elementary Ages 7-10NIrV, International Children’s Bible1. Learns best by doing2. Learning to read and write3. Ability to list in chronological order4. Name bible books and read a bible reference5. Limited ability to reflect on spiritual meaning of bible stories6. Memorize a few key passages7. Simple study of sacraments8. Simple map studies and use of bible dictionary9. Hold concrete images of God10. Wants to belong and please

Middle School Ages 11-14

NLT, NIV, NCVBeginning ability to grasp abstract ideas in scriptureNot satisfied by simple answersNeeds challenging activitiesDescribes God in human termsClings to faith attitudes of parents Likes to make own decisionsNeeds parents but wants independenceFaces a lot of peer pressure

Senior High Ages15-17NIV, NRSV, ESV, NASB

Wants to know what being a Christian really meansInterest in other beliefs and faithsAble to take another’s point of viewMay imagine God as a friend and advisorMay reject situations where failure is likelyCan move away from parent’s faithWant to see faith reflected in the life of a believerFriends often influence decisions

RelationshipsWho helped mentor you in faith?

What were they like?

RelationshipsMutual discovery

Daily walk with GodGod inclusive conversation

Intentionally including God in our conversation

StoriesGod’s word being lived out today

Faith/Life ConversationsSpecial time with each child

Natural Times to Connect

MorningMealsCar timeBedtime

Making Time to ConnectSpecial dates Going for a walkRunning and errand togetherSharing a favorite pass time

Relationship in the body

Christ Established the church Mt. 16:18Children are part of the body Mt. 19:14Everyone is needed 1 Cor. 12:14-26We cannot reach our full potential outside the body 1 Cor. 12:7 Eph 4:11-15Being in the body is not always easy Col 3:12-17Christ call us to be part of the body and reach out to others Mt. 28:19-20

Key factors for Engaging the generations

• Presence• Engagement• Voice

Outward ActionYou shall love your neighbor as yourself…Mark 12:31

O Mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?Micah 6:8

Serve togetherLiving by example:Shared ExperienceShared StoryShared identity

John 6:1-14Sometimes we feel like the young boy who only has small or seemingly feeble gifts to offer. In this passage God shows us that when we are open to sharing our gifts, no matter how feeble we believe they may be, God can take them and do great things.Sometimes others give voice to our feeble gifts. There are two possible responses to Andrews comments:

Either agree my gifts are too feeble to offer….or….Live into the hope that God can do something great with them

Sometimes I need to be careful not to suggest to others that they have nothing worth sharing. But instead encourage the unique offering that everyone has to share.

Give voice to the fact that in God’s hands, our gifts however feeble they may seem to us, can be the miracle in someone’s life.

Outward ActionSome ideas for serving with your

childrenFood shelvesPray daily for your neighbors and othersClothing collectionPack school backpack for those in needFoster relationships with persons of varying races and culturesRead story books that include all racesVisit a nursing homeEngage in children’s service project

Small GroupWhat are some service or mission activities you or someone you know have done as a family?

Outward Action

Loving GodLoving our neighbor

WORSHIP

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.

Deuteronomy 6:5

Worshipful LifePutting God first in all I do.

Prayer PracticesThanksgiving at MealsPrayer at beginning or end of dayACTS

Adoration Confession Thanksgiving Supplication

PARTSPraise Admit Requests Thanksgiving Silence

Spiritual Disciplines/PracticesPraying Scripture (Lectio Divina)Dwelling with GodReviewing your dayPraying your communityWalking with GodKeeping a spiritual journal

WorshipModel faith through attitudes and actionsDwelling with God in the bibleHave regular conversation about faith/life issuesInclude God in daily conversation and storyServe others togetherPray togetherEngage in spiritual disciplinesWorship with others in the church

Celebrating Spiritual

Milestones

Devotional LivingA way of life, rather than a formula for accomplishing a task

No Family is perfect.

Every family needs the Holy Spirit to move them toward the life giving

love and grace of Christ in order to be transformed into the family of

Christ.

How do you begin?

TodayWith one thingWe can’t change everything at onceIt’s a journey

God is HereRemember I am with you always…