Resources — parents

In teaching children, it is crucial that from the earliest age that children are taught to understand exactly what the real church is and what the church is not. It is common that most people of all ages think of the church as a building. Ask a teenager “What is the church,” and almost 100% of answers will be “the church is a place where Christians meet and worship.” Yes, that is true, the church IS a PLACE where believers meet and worship, but the church is much more than that. There are thousands and thousands of church buildings, synagogues,...

Recently, I had the privilege of talking with Michael Grady, the author of 3 books that present Bible stories in an engaging manner that can be used by families. They have been recently published in Spanish, too! Q: Michael, how did you become interested in Bible stories? It all started when I was 5- years-old and my mother began reading the Bible to me. I loved those stories! When I was 12, I received my first Bible with the understanding that I would read it every day—which I did. When I was 17, my mother said that it was time...

“Can I help you?” I looked up to see nine-year-old Josh smiling at me, eager to assist. His mom had brought him to my Sunday afternoon seminar on “Partnering with Children.” Throughout the seminar Josh was always the first to volunteer for activities, he enthusiastically participated in discussions, and at the end of the seminar he asked, “How do I sign up to help you do what you do?” This young man was ready to be used by God. Earlier, during the morning worship service, the pastor had taught about evangelism. All the adults were given a special wristband with...

The church, or faith family, plays an active role in the spiritual formation of children. The tool of spiritual benchmarking provides a critical piece to the formation puzzle. These markers help parents and faith families walk alongside children as they grow in Christ. We call them GrowthRings®. We’ve taken twenty years of GrowthRings and grouped them into five-year phases. The church can develop practices that contribute to the faith formation of young people in each phase. In this issue, we focus on ages eleven through fifteen. This phase broadens the focus of loving God and loving others, giving the church...

The church, or faith family, plays an active role in the spiritual formation of children. Teaching classes and building community through games are common ways we serve. These opportunities, along with following a curriculum and providing safe environments, are all pieces in the larger faith formation puzzle. Spiritual benchmarking provides another critical piece to that puzzle. These markers help parents and faith families walk alongside children as they grow in Christ. We call them GrowthRings®. We’ve taken twenty years of GrowthRings and grouped them into five-year phases. The church can develop practices that contribute to children’s faith formation in each...