FAITH IN THE HOME
There is plenty of debate over whether the command to teach our children in Deuteronomy 6:7 is for the nuclear family or the wider community (church) but there is growing recognition that church-based families have a partnership role with the church in developing the faith of their children. However, many parents are lacking in confidence and ideas as to how to play their part.
Family DVDs, multimedia, children’s Bibles and books are covered in the For Children section.
Families with faith
(Richard Patterson, Scripture Union)
2015 conference recommendation by Alan Charter
2012 conference recommendation by Andy Saunders
2011 conference recommendation by Lianne Smith
How can Christian parents create families that nurture faith in Jesus? Parents, counsellors and church leaders will welcome this readable and affirming guide which is strong on common sense and inspiration. Its aim is to put God at the centre of family life, combining practical guidelines with biblical principles.
Transforming children into spiritual champions
(George Barna, Regal)
2014 & 2012 conference recommendation by Colin Bennett
Many parents didn’t have early spiritual training themselves, so they look to the church to provide it for their children. Churches must begin to come alongside parents and equip them to provide their children at the earliest age possible with biblical precepts to protect them from a barrage of worldly ideas and teaching. It’s time to equip parents to help their children become the spiritually mature church of tomorrow, literally transforming them into spiritual champions!
Our family GodVenture
(Victoria Beech, Beech Publishing)
2014 & 2013 conference recommendation by Catherine Kyte
2012 conference recommendation by Victoria Beech & Rachel Warwick and Catherine Kyte
2011 conference recommendation by Nick Jackson
An activity sticker book for families wanting to do Bible and prayer activities together. The activities involve the 400+ stickers, and are based around Psalm 139. Target age group is families with children age 4-10 years, but easy to use flexibly with additional older or younger children.
Side by side with God in everyday life
(Yvonne Morris, Barnabas)
2013 conference recommendation by Rachel Turner
2012 conference recommendation by Catherine Kyte
28 easy to use Bible story based sessions featuring the times and seasons outlined on Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. Open questions, reflection, discussion, further exploration and prayer mean that families or one parent or grandparent and child can grow together in their understanding of what it means to walk side by side with God in everything we do.
Sue says: Easy to pick up and use. The age range on the book is 6-10s but I think the Digging deeper and Bible links sections mean that it can still be challenging to young teens.
Hand in hand: enjoying faith as a family
(Mother’s Union)
2016 & 2015 conference recommendation by Catherine Kyte
A 24-page booklet that is a stand-alone resource for families or would also work well with a parents’ group who want to explore together how they experience faith in their family. The sections offer practical ways in which to share family spirituality, celebrate the wonder of life in good times and bad, explore the Bible together and develop personal and family faith.
Sue says: Ideal to give to all the families in your church and those coming for baptism, thanksgiving etc.
GodVenture
Web site with ideas and resources for families to use together at home.
Faith in homes
Web site with ideas, links to other sites, resources.
The Mothers’ Union
Web site includes ideas, links to articles and reviews of books relating to faith in the home.
Hands On ways of bringing God into family life
(Victoria Beech, 2016 conference)
Delegate rating 9/10
Empowering parents
(Helen & Olly Goldenberg, 2015 conference)
Parents are called to be the primary disciplers of their children. With a few subtle changes we can empower our parents in their God-given role.
Delegate rating 9/10
10 HANDS ON ways to involve Godparents and grandparents
(Victoria Beech and Juliet Doswell2014 conference)
Delegate rating 9/10
Nurturing faith at home
(Catherine Kyte2014 conference)
An interactive session to explore common challenges that parents have in nurturing faith in the family, and to share some tips and ideas for activities at home.
Delegate rating 7/10