Sorry I have been gone so long. I'm learning that starting off a fall of Children's Ministry is VERY different than fall in Youth Ministry. Let's just say I've been working WAY more than my 20 hours a week. :) I just emailed all the parents from my church last night filling them in on what we are learning and how they can apply and further those lessons at home. I hope that is information that will be helpful to many of the families.
As the primary faith shape-ers of our kids we need to know what they are being taught so we can review, and apply those lessons in our kids and in our families.
Your Sunday school program may offer sheets to bring home that help keep you informed. USE THEM. They cost our churches good money, but you are getting them because we want you to be equipped with tools to lead family devotions and use "God moments" to provide your kids with teachable moments. Those sheets will feature things like verses to read, questions to talk about together or activites that will help you all to understand the point more clearly. Student activity sheets may also give you some of this information.
If your kids' classes don't send home lesson information go and ask for it. Find out what section of Scripture is being studied and the main point of the lesson. Then your family can reread the story together. Ask questions like "why did God want us to know this story?" "who are the main characters?" or "how does this apply to our lives today?"
Find out if your kids had a key verse and work together so you ALL memorize it during the week. They will see that you don't just talk about hiding God's Word in your heart, but you are actually doing it.
Working with the children's minstry lessons from church can give your family an easy topic for family devotions and tons of ideas for creative faith shaping adventures. If you are still stuck for ideas ask your Children's Ministry person for help.
Do you have any other ideas? Please share with us!
I applaud you working with kids - they can be exhausting! However they're our future and how cool to be part of their future. I would suggest checking out James Dobson's website - he's al about faith-filled families and raising children. Hope this helps!
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