christian parenting
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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.
Seek and make friends
It will help all the members of your family to feel at home if they arefriends 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.
Pre-empt concerns
Discusswith 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.
Preparing for our meeting together asGods 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
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.
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 prayfor 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.
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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).
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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 stayand see what
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.
Its important that you share on the way home, or at home
the things youve learned from your various activities inworship. This can open up new opportunities for your faith to
be shared.
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
fully connected and coherent - and very
clear. (Biblical theology for
preschoolers).
The Jesus Storybook Bible - Sally Lloyd-
Jones (author) - for four to eight year olds
this is a big step up from the Big PictureBible, 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).
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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.
It's an activity, picture and songbook with family devotions all
in one! Includes free CD.
The second in Colin's series of books aimed at bringing Bible
truths alive, page by page. Also includes a 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!
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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
A very very very Big GodMusic CD (http://emu.mu/ )
A wonderful collection of songs that children
like and relate to (and adults enjoy too)
Preschoolers and Younger Primary School
The King, The Snake and the Promise
Music CD (http://emu.mu/ )
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).
Meet the King Music CD (http://emu.mu/)
A brilliant largely sung overview of Marks Gospel.
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Get ReadyMusic CD (http://emu.mu/ )
Songs about what God is like and what we believe. Fantastic.
God UnlimitedMusic CD (http://emu.mu/ )
More songs about what God is like and what we believe. Fantastic.
To be like JesusMusic CD (http://emu.mu/ )
Songs for kids about the Fruit of the Spirit. Again fantastic.
And many Colin Buchanan CDs & DVDs all brimming with
Gods indestructible Bible truths
(http://www.colinbuchanan.com.au/ )
The King of Christmas
Jesus rocks the world
o 10, 9, 8 God is Great
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Super Saviour
Colins Favourites the best ofGood 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 disciplingkids, please let us know.