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Resources for Christian Parenting Discipling Our Kids!

How can you intentionally grow your children as Christians? Here is a handout drawn from various sources with some suggestions and ideas to help you. Wed love to hear from you if you have other suggestions please email us.

Your family and God

Children are model seeking missiles they will hear what you say, but theyll do what you do. While church has its part to play, we believe that families are the centre of faith development for children, and want to encourage parents in this role. So praying with them as well as for them, reading the Bible to them as well as for yourself, and talk about who Jesus is and how important he is to you and demonstrate that in action for example, i) show your thankfulness to God when something good happens and share how God is helping you, ii) iii) iv) v) vi) vii) talk about things you like about church, ask forgiveness of your children when you have wronged them, show Jesus comes first (eg. get to a Sunday morning birthday party late after church), prepare them for church, take them to church and where appropriate, talk about things you find hard about being a Christian. Also, start taking your children to church from the time they are born. Dont wait until they are about to start school. Those years from 0-5 are foundational developmental years they will absorb more than you can imagine by simply being at church week after week that will set them up for later life following Jesus. They will also grow up feeling part of the church family.

You and God

The first thing to say is just as you cant take your children to a place you havent been to, so you cant help your child grow in following Jesus if you are not doing the same. So...try to ensure that however you do it, you invest regularly in your own relationship with God. Try to make time during the week to read Gods Word the Bible and talk to God in prayer. Where possible, attend a small group Bible study and seek to put what you learn into practice even pray it into practice. Even if its the 30 seconds you have to yourself on the toilet where youve stuck up a memory verse and three prayer points on the back of the toilet door, or the quick prayer meeting with your spouse before you go to bed, or with a friend over the phone at coffee time, set aside time to be with God.

Praying with your family

When you pray with your family, use a loving touch, a cuddle or hold hands (eg. when saying thanks to God before a meal). Encourage your family to thank God for the blessings of the day, and to talk to God about their disappointments, hurts or joys and teach this by your example. Share some of the answers to your prayers and some that you are still waiting for. When there is a fight with someone, apply the principle that Jesus taught of taking it to God and making things right with the other family member. Some families have a nightly routine where they read or act out a Bible passage and pray together perhaps with a display book of photos with a member of the family, special friends, missionaries, people at church, and others to help focus prayers.

Familiarise your children with what happens in church

Talk about worship. Children particularly love to know why?, or what does it mean? Tell your family about the parts of the worship service why we meet together, have prayers, songs, bible readings, sermons, etc... Do it little by little and keep your explanations short and simple. Dont assume that your family members are too young to understand. As long as there is interest, something positive is going on. Practise the responses. Teach a response occasionally. Think about the service and find something that is regularly repeated (eg. the Lords Prayer). This helps our family to be familiar with worship and so feel at home in the service. The deeper meanings will come as they worship through the years. Talk about the Lords Supper. In the Lords Supper we remember and celebrate the death of Jesus on our behalf the heart of the Christian faith. Talking about the Lords Supper provides a wonderful opportunity to explain the gospel to your family. Use words and concepts that they are able to understand eg.
just like we come with empty hands and receive a gift of a sticker, or the bread and wine, we come to God with empty hearts and receive forgiveness, eternal life and his love all through Jesus death..., or, God used Jesus death on the bad, bad, cross to break the power of dark, deadly sin and to bring good, good life to dead, dead sinners like you and me (Colin Buchanan, Practise being Godly).

Expose them to Christian music

Not only could you sing hymns and Christian songs together, you could also play age-appropriate Christian music with your family. Not only can this be done as background music at home, but CDs while driving in the car are a great discipling resource with repetition, children not only learn the words, but also imbibe great truths about who God is what hes done for them. See our recommended resources later on for ideas.

Discuss with your family your own giving. Why you choose to give the way you give cheerfully, sacrificially, generously to Gods work. Remember you want to teach the principle of giving and lay good foundations for adulthood.

Preparing for our meeting together as Gods family

Sunday mornings can be the grumpiest morning of the week! People tend to sleep late, then there is a frantic search for clothes. There is often a lack of routine and a maximum of

Seek and make friends

It will help all the members of your family to feel at home if they are friends with some other church members. Invite other families to your place or to some activity, etc... Establish relationships with friendly adults and responsible young people who may take a particular interest in encouraging and looking out for your children at church.

confusion... and ideal situation for creating frayed tempers and negative feelings, which accompany the family to church. Sunday mornings need not be like that... How we prepare ourselves and our family for worship is an expression of our own worship and praise of God. Gods family is made up of everyone called by God (adults, youth, children, as well as singles and married). All have something to contribute to our corporate worship.

Pre-empt concerns
Discuss with each family member what they can do if they become restless during the service eg. change seats, spend time with another adult, occupy themselves with a suitable activity, etc... Create a special church bag, especially for all-in services or when there is no childrens program. Encourage each child to help with filling the church bag (not a plastic bag!). Cloth drawstring is excellent, or an old handbag. For younger children, equip it with some favourite toys. Keep some paper and pencils in the bag and some selected books.

Children, youth and adults all need a sense of belonging where we can together experience something of the importance, awe and joy of being in the presence of God. Do not be deceived by outward appearances. Even the youngest children observe the atmosphere of worship and attitudes of those around them. Be enthusiastic (and if youre not pray for God to help you). Family members must feel that their parents are looking forward to this time. Parents who are half-hearted about coming to church, or who constantly grumble about getting up early on Sundays, cannot expect the rest of the family to exhibit different attitudes.

On Sundays at Church
Choose a seat with

your family where you can all see and hear, keeping in mind your familys needs (eg. access to the toddlers quiet play room, or to the toilets...). Let little children stand on the seat when the congregation is standing, so that they can see what is happening. Make the most of anything visual such as words on the screen, the action at the Lords Supper or baptism, what the musicians or Bible readers are doing, etc... Briefly explain what is happening. Encourage participation. It is more important to encourage your childs participation and involvement in worship than to keep them quiet and occupied. Help young people to see where we are up to in the service. Include your family in the greeting time. If children are invited for any reason to go up the front (eg. childrens talk, baptism), please go with them if that will help them join in. During the Lords Supper have your family members remain with you so that you can guide them through this section of the service. Establish a regular pattern of times when concentration and participation is expected (when there is anything to do/watch), establish when quiet play is OK, and when

particular behaviour patterns are required (eg. during sermon times). Share Gods love with your family. When you are at church with your family, help them feel that you enjoy having them there with you. Find ways to show your love for them eg. a cuddle or a smile or tell them you enjoy having them with you at church. Childish noise. When we meet together, it is only natural that there will be noise. Every parent usually feels most conscious about his/her own children. Please be encouraged that it is OK. However if your child is distressed, you are welcome to use the toddlers quiet play room or to take them into the foyer. Encourage your family members to talk quietly with you when necessary in church, and do the same with them. Encourage them to ask questions, and answer any questions they ask. This will help their understanding and sense of belonging. Do not feel that you have interrupted your worship, or the worship of others, when you answer questions, or inform them of whats going on, etc... Share your feelings of excitement, enthusiasm and awe etc... with your family (eg. I love this song).

Childrens Programs
If you have preschool children, or if your child is new or you are unfamiliar with what is happening, you are most welcome to escort them to their program, and to stay and see what

Resources for discipling children

The Christian life needs modelling teaching our children to pray, read the Bible, relate to God, understand about God). Of course resources are only part of the solution, but its a start and they make a great springboard for discussion. While there are a number of great early age appropriate Bibles available (eg. starting with the Beginners Bible as the first point of call), here are a couple we highly recommend (see below). The Big Picture Story Bible - David Helm (author) It is the best Bible to help preschoolers see how the Bible is

happens. Childrens leaders put in a lot of time and effort and we encourage you to thank them for their work with your children. Please do not let your children roam around the church building or grounds during the service. If theyre not in their program, then theyre in church with you, and vice-versa.

After the service

For safety reasons, if your child is with you in the service, please dont let them run ahead to the hall, but keep them with you at all times. Despite our best efforts, drivers do sometimes drive too fast in our car park and do not always see children.

fully connected and coherent - and very clear. (Biblical theology for preschoolers).

The Jesus Storybook Bible - Sally Lloyd-

Its important that you share on the way home, or at home the things youve learned from your various activities in worship. This can open up new opportunities for your faith to be shared.

Jones (author) - for four to eight year olds this is a big step up from the Big Picture Bible, with a very evocative faithful storytelling, with each Bible story being connected to Jesus. Very engaging and well written. (Biblical theology for preps to grade 3s).

God and Me - 365 Devotions - Penny Boshoff (author) - a fantastic devotion book that you can read with your toddlers/preschool child/ren every night. Has a topic of interest, a prayer they can pray after you in little bits, and connects with a story you can read from your Bible to them.

The second in Colin's series of books aimed at bringing Bible truths alive, page by page. Also includes a free CD!

It's an activity, picture and songbook with family devotions all in one! Includes free CD.

Super Saviour Book | The third in Colin's series of books aimed at bringing Bible truths alive, page by page. Also includes a free CD!

Another idea: just put Christian CDs on in the car when driving or at home the kids will soak it up, and start to sing along, and theyre much more enjoyable for adults than listening listen to the Wiggles! Not only that, but kids can spend more time listening to them than reading books. We recommend: Preschoolers

Preschoolers and Younger Primary School

The King, The Snake and the Promise Music CD ([Link] ) A very very very Big God Music CD ([Link] ) The story of the Bible with bible readings, narration and mostly songs itll might even teach parents a thing or two too (think of it as Biblical Theology for kids but dont if that will put you off).

A wonderful collection of songs that children like and relate to (and adults enjoy too)

Meet the King Music CD ([Link] A brilliant largely sung overview of Marks Gospel.

And many Colin Buchanan CDs & DVDs all brimming with Gods indestructible Bible truths ([Link] ) Get Ready Music CD ([Link] ) Songs about what God is like and what we believe. Fantastic.

The King of Christmas

God Unlimited Music CD ([Link] ) More songs about what God is like and what we believe. Fantastic.

Jesus rocks the world

To be like Jesus Music CD ([Link] ) Songs for kids about the Fruit of the Spirit. Again fantastic.

10, 9, 8 God is Great

Super Saviour

Colins Favourites the best of

Good News Parcel Company DVD A great DVD presenting the gospel to children a great present!

If you have found other resources that are helpful in discipling kids, please let us know.