6/16/13  

1  

10  Decades  of  Life  

Faith  from  Generation  to  Generation  21st  Century  Style  

Hear,  O  Israel:  The  Lord  is  our  God,  the  Lord  alone.  You  shall  love  the  Lord  your  God  with  all  your  heart,  and  with  all  your  soul,  and  with  all  your  might.  Keep  these  words  that  I  am  commanding  you  today  in  your  heart.  Recite  them  to  your  children  and  talk  about  

them  when  you  are  at  home  and  when  you  are  away,  when  you  lie  down  and  when  you  rise.  Bind  them  as  a  sign  on  your  hand,  fix  them  as  an  emblem  on  your  forehead,  and  write  them  on  the  doorposts  of  your  

house  and  on  your  gates.  (Deuteronomy  6:4-­‐9)  

6/16/13  

2  

Faith  Factors:  The  combination  of  the  following  factors  makes  an  enormous  difference  in  religious  outcomes  during  young  adulthood:  

1.  the  child  &  teen’s  parental  religion    2.  importance  of  faith  3.  prayer  4.  Scripture  reading    5.  lack  of  religious  doubts  6.  personal  religious  experiences    7.  having  supportive  nonparent  adults  in  the  

church  These  most  influential  factors  make  differences  of  sizeable  magnitude  in  substantive  outcomes.    

Parental  Influence:  The  single  most  important  social  influence  on  the  religious  and  spiritual  lives  of  children  and  adolescents  (and  emerging  adults)  is  their  parents.      Embedded  Family  Religious  Practices:  Effective  religious  socialization  comes  about  through  specific  religious  activities  that  are  firmly  intertwined  with  the  daily  habits  of  family  life.    

6/16/13  

3  

Faith

Parental Faith

Parental Modeling & Teaching

Prayer

Scripture Reading

Praying

Caring Conversation

Reading the Bible

Celebrating Rituals

Serving Others

Learning & Applying Faith to

Daily Life

6/16/13  

4  

Children  and  teenagers  with  seriously  religious  parents  are  more  likely  than  

those  without  such  parents  to  have  been  trained  in  their  lives  to  think,  feel,  believe,  and  act  as  serious  religious  believers,  and  that  that  training  “sticks”  with  them  even  when  the  leave  home  and  enter  emerging  

adulthood.    

(Souls  in  Transition:  The  Religious  &  Spiritual  Lives  of  Emerging  Adults  by  Christian  Smith  with  Patricia  Snell)    

 

Intentionally  Intergenerational:  Churches  and  families  wanting  to  instill  deep  faith  in  children  and  youth  should  help  them  build  a  web  of  relationships  with  committed  and  caring  adults.    

Becoming  a  5:1  Church    5  Adults  to  1  Young  Person  

in  Worship,  Community  Life,  Learning,  Serving,  

Praying,  and  more.  .  .    

6/16/13  

5  

How  will  we  do  this  in  a  new  world    with  new  generations?    

6/16/13  

6  

6/16/13  

7  

Children &

Families

Online Faith

Activities

Apps

Videos

Parent Resources

Mobile  Content  

Church Activities

Worship

Learning

Mission Service

Prayer Spiritual

Formation

Extending  Church  Events  

6/16/13  

8  

Praying

Caring Conversation

Reading the Bible

Celebrating Rituals

Serving Others

Learning & Applying Faith to

Daily Life

6/16/13  

9  

6/16/13  

10  

6/16/13  

11  

6/16/13  

12  

1. SHARE1. SHARE your highs & lows of the dayof the day

2. READ2. READ and highlight a verse and highlight a verse of scrip ture in your bible*of scripture in your bible*

3. TALK3. TALK about how the bible about how the bible verse rel ates to your verse rel ates to your highs & lowshighs & lows

4. PRAY4. PRAY for your highs & lows, for your highs & lows, for your family, and for your family, and for the worldfor the world

5. BLESS5. BLESS one anotherone another

The Faith The Faith 55 F a i t h A c t s I n T h e H o m eF a i t h A c t s I n T h e H o m e

™

TURN OFF THE TV,PUT DOWN THE NEWSPAPER,

SET THE CELLPHONE ON SILENCE AND INVEST 5 MINUTES

IN YOUR FAMILY WITH THESE SIMPLE STEPS.

6/16/13  

13  

6/16/13  

14  

Faith  through  the.  .  .      Day        Week          Month          Year  

 u Meal  times  u  Car  times  u Morning  and  bedtime  u  Exits  and  entries  u  Times  of  struggle,  illness,  difficulty  u  Family  events  and  vacations  u Milestones  and  rites  of  passage  u  Celebrations  and  holidays  u  Seasons  of  the  year:  calendar  and  liturgical  seasons  

6/16/13  

15  

VibrantFaithatHome.org_Caring Conversations_Stories from Dad or Grandpa

1

Stories from Dad or Grandpa By Christy Huffman

On or around Father’s Day, arrange for children to spend time listening to favorite Bible stories from Dad, Grandpa, Godfather, or another important man in their lives. For Young Family Season Summer, around Father’s Day

Needed Children’s Bible or Bible storybook (optional) Prepare in Advance Ask Dad, Grandpa, Godfather, or another important man in your children’s lives to pick a favorite Bible story from his childhood and think about why he likes that story. (Some suggested stories are listed at the end of this activity.) Ask him to prepare to tell this story to the family, using a children’s Bible or Bible storybook, if desired. Activity Plan 1. Choose a time to sit down as a family so that Dad, Grandpa, and/or another man in the family can

read or tell his favorite Bible story. Begin by praying aloud: Loving God, Heavenly Father, thank you for the Bible and for every member of this family. Amen.

2. Have Dad, Grandpa, or other man in the family tell which Bible story was his favorite as a child and why he wants to tell it to the family. Ask him: Who told this story to you when you were a child? Who taught you about God and Jesus when you were a child?

3. After the Bible story has been read or told, invite family members to ask any questions they have about it. Invite other family members to tell about their favorite Bible stories.

Some Popular Bible Stories Creation (Genesis 1–2) Noah’s Ark (Genesis 6–9) Abraham and Sarah (Genesis 12–18) Jacob Wrestles (Genesis 32) Joseph and His Brothers (Genesis 37–50) Moses (Exodus) The Battle of Jericho (Joshua 6:1-20) David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17) The Fiery Furnace (Daniel 3:19-30) Daniel in the Lions’ Den (Daniel 6:1-28) Jonah and the Big Fish (Jonah 1–4) Jesus Is Born (Luke 2) Wise Men Visit Jesus (Matthew 2) Jesus Calls the Disciples (Matthew 4:18-22)

House on the Rock (Matthew 7:24-28) Jesus Walks on Water (Matthew 14:22-33) Parable of the Mustard Seed (Mark 4:30-32) Jesus Blesses the Children (Mark 10:13-16) The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) Jesus and Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10) Jesus Feeds 5,000 (John 6:1-14) Jesus Raises Lazarus (John 11:1-45) Jesus Dies (Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23) Jesus Is Risen (Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24) The Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20) Philip and the Ethiopian (Acts 8:26-40) Jesus Calls Saul (Paul) (Acts 9)

6/16/13  

16  

VibrantFaithatHome.org_Serving Others_Love-Your-Neighbor Jar

1

Love-Your-Neighbor Jar By Beth Gier During the summer, remember the need to reach out and help people in your community who don’t  go  on  vacation!  Keep  sharing and giving year-round with this activity. For Young Family Season Summer Needed Bible; jar, small cardboard box, or other container; colorful paper scraps, buttons, or other craft supplies for decorating; fine-tipped permanent markers; white glue; scissors; pencil or pen; Love-Your-Neighbor Jar worksheet (see last page) Activity Plan

1. Say this prayer aloud to begin:

God, we know there are people who need our help, even in the summer time. Help us to be good neighbors, and to show your love to others. Amen.

2. Read aloud Mark 12:28-31 from your Bible or the text below. Discuss: What does Jesus mean by

“love  your  neighbor  as  yourself”? In what ways might our family do this? Mark 12:28-31 The Great Commandment 28 And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered  them  well,  asked  him,  “Which  commandment  is  the  most  important  of  all?”  29 Jesus answered,  “The  most  important  is,  ‘Hear,  O  Israel:  The  Lord  our  God,  the  Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your  strength.’  31 The  second  is  this:  ‘You  shall  love  your  neighbor  as  yourself.’  There  is  no  other  commandment greater than  these.”

3. Wrap your container with plain paper and print “Love  Your  Neighbor” on it. Do not put a lid on it.

Decorate the container with buttons, colorful paper scraps, markers, or any other craft materials you have on hand.

4. Work together to read the ideas on the Love-Your-Neighbor Jar worksheet (see last page). Add your

own ideas in the blank spaces. Cut the slips apart and put them in your container.

5. Choose a day each week to draw a slip and work together as a family to do the act of love described on it. If needed, modify it to fit your family or your community. After you draw the slip, say this prayer: Dear God, may our words and deeds help someone today. Amen.

6. Plan to share stories about your experiences before bedtime that day.

VibrantFaithatHome.org_Serving Others_Love-Your-Neighbor Jar

2

Love-Your-Neighbor Jar Gather loose change from around the house and use it to buy food for a local food pantry.

Pick flowers or vegetables from your garden and take them to a neighbor.  (If  you  don’t  have  a  garden, make a bouquet of paper flowers.)

Invite a friend or neighbor to attend worship, Vacation Bible School, or other church activity with you.

Put on work gloves. Walk around your neighborhood or favorite park and pick up any trash you see. Be sure to recycle bottles and cans.

Take a walk or a bike ride. Smile and  say  “Hello”  to  each  person  you see.

Check your church bulletin or newsletter for a list of people in need of prayer. Take time to pray for each one.

As a family, offer to help a neighbor with some yardwork. Or sweep  a  neighbor’s  sidewalk  without being seen!

Telephone an older family member or neighbor and sing a song to him or her.

Contact a local housing shelter and ask if they would like some toys and games in good condition. If they would, clean out your closets and drawers and find some to donate.

Our Idea: Our Idea: Our Idea:

6/16/13  

17  

VibrantFaithatHome.org_Serving Others_Vacationing for Good

1

Vacationing for Good By Jessica Harris Daum “Voluntourism” is a growing trend, and it fits perfectly with our call as Christians to love and serve our neighbors wherever we go. Plan to volunteer as a part of your next vacation; chances are you will receive more than you give. For Adult, Couple Season Summer Needed Your vacation calendar, internet access Prepare in Advance Prepare a list of possible dates for your vacation or assemble any plans you already have for a scheduled vacation so that you can see where volunteering may fit into your getaway. Activity Plan 1. Say this prayer aloud to begin.

Holy Spirit, you move us to new and exciting places and experiences. Keep us mindful of others as we travel, and show us opportunities to love and serve our neighbors in need wherever we go. Amen.

2. Lay out your calendars and vacation plans so you can refer to them as you browse for volunteer

opportunities to participate in during your vacation. 3. Search the internet for “volunteer opportunities in (whatever location you will be visiting).” It may be

helpful to use the search engine VolunteerMatch.org. Read through possible volunteer opportunities and discuss how each may or may not be a good fit for you and your traveling companions.

4. If your internet search didn’t result in any great ideas for volunteering, go a step further. Lookup and call or email a local organization that may have ideas. If you’ll be visiting a National Park, contact the park to see if they could use volunteers. If you are visiting a city, search for a soup kitchen, clothes closet, or food pantry. These organizations can usually utilize volunteers for a few hours or a day. Contact a church at your destination and ask if they know someone who could use your help.

5. Make it official. Book your service experience online or by phone and add it to your vacation plans. Be

sure to call a week before you travel to confirm the details such as what time to arrive, what to wear or bring, who to look for when you arrive, and who to contact if your plans change unexpectedly.

6. Pray for those you will be serving. One-time volunteer experiences can be meaningful and make a big

difference, but it’s the relationships that you’ll build as you serve that really matter. Begin to build those relationships before you ever meet by holding them in your heart and before God in prayer.

God of mercy, you care for your people and provide for their needs. Help us to give of what we’ve been given so others might know your love. Open us to receive what those we will meet have to offer us as well. Be with the people of (place or organization) that they might welcome us. Amen.

VibrantFaithatHome.org_Prayer_Prayer Album

1

Prayer Album By Julie Filby

Make a fun craft that can help develop a strong prayer life over the summer by putting together a photo album of family members and friends—and as you look through the album, pray for each person. For Young Family Season Summer

Needed Any size photo album; photos of family members, friends, and other loved ones (perhaps taken while visiting them during the summer months); adhesive if needed; embellishments such as stickers, decorative paper and markers Prepare in Advance Purchase a photo album (or just staple several sheets of construction paper together). Take and/or collect photos. Gather supplies for decorating pages.

Activity Plan

1. Read 1Timothy 2:1 aloud to begin.

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people.”

2. Place a photo on each page of the album. While decorating the page with stickers, markers

and/or decorative papers, talk about the nice things that person(s) has done for you and your family.

3. Continue until all photos have been added to the album.

4. Once the book is complete, look through the album and ask your child(ren) why they are thankful for that person.

5. Then pray together for each person: for good health, peace, strength, guidance, comfort if needed, and healing if needed. Lift up the intentions that are deep in their hearts, and thank God for bringing them into your life.

6. Refer to the photo album regularly over the summer, as a reminder to pray for all those who bless your life. Add more people, and/or specific prayer intentions, to the album accordingly.

6/16/13  

18  

VibrantFaithatHome.org_Prayer_Summer Prayer Corner

1

Summer Prayer Corner By Julie Filby

Create a summertime prayer corner in your home, in your yard, or on your deck, patio, or balcony. It can serve as a sacred space for prayer and teach reverence for the holy. For Young Family Season Summer

Needed Small table or sturdy box; covering such as a tablecloth, table runner, or colorful napkins or scarves; battery-powered candle; items with religious meaning (crucifix, cross, sculpture, icons, picture of Jesus); Bible and/or prayer book; optional: flowers Prepare in Advance Consider possible locations for your summer prayer corner. Gather supplies from the list above. Activity Plan 1. Gather as a family and talk about how a summer prayer corner can remind family members of God's

love and care. It also is a reminder that home is a sacred place where God dwells, even on those days when it doesn't feel like it! Pray aloud:

Gracious  God,  may  the  words  of  our  mouths  and  the  love  in  our  hearts  be  pleasing  to  you.  In  Jesus’  name. Amen.

2. Work together to choose a place to set up the prayer corner. It likely will be inside your home, but if you have a protected space outside on a patio or in the yard, that could be a lovely sacred space for prayer.

3. Work together to set up the table or box and cover it with a tablecloth, scarves or other fabric. On it, place a battery-powered candle, Bible, prayer book, and other items that have special religious meaning for your family. Perhaps include photos of loved ones to remember in prayer. If you have a garden, include a small vase to hold a fresh flower or two. Invite family members to add or exchange items in the prayer corner as the summer progresses.

4. Light the candle and invite family members to offer sentence prayers for your family and your summer plans.

5. Plan to leave the prayer corner in place all summer as a place where family members can gather for prayer and conversation. Encourage family members to use this corner as individuals when they are looking for a quiet, sacred place to have a conversation with God.

VibrantFaithatHome.org_Bible Story_Right Time and Place

1

Right Time and Place By Kevin E Ruffcorn This Bible study and meditation enables you to discover the joy of living free knowing you’re in the right place, at the right time. For Adult / Couple Season Summer Needed A quiet place, Bible, paper, pens Prepare in Advance Locate a quiet place where you can share as a couple Mark Psalm 139:1-18, and Jeremiah 1:4-10 Activity Plan 1. Say this prayer aloud to begin.

O Lord, who formed our inward parts, and who consecrated us before we were born, like Jeremiah, use us here and now; in the place and time where we are at today, and lead us along the path of witness and service. Amen.

2. Use your Bible and take turns reading Psalm 139:1-18, and Jeremiah 1:4-10, or see the text on the

last page.

3. Using your paper and pen answer the following questions (At first individually). What has the greatest influence in your life: biological factors, social environment, or the

movement of the Holy Spirit. These are what join together to make us who we are. In the triangle below, indicate the point where you believe these forces intersect in your life. (The closer the point is to a side, the stronger the influence. Thus a life where the Holy Spirit was the primary force, with biological factors a close second and social environment a distant third would look like the example.) Biological X Holy Spirit Biological Holy Spirit Social Social

Looking back on your life, how has the Holy Spirit molded you and guided you to be who and

where you are today—as an individual and also as a couple?

Example

6/16/13  

19  

VibrantFaithatHome.org_Bible Story_Right Time and Place

2

On a scale of 1 to 5 indicate where you feel you are in relation to where you believe God wants you to be—as an individual and as a couple. (Be ready to explain your answer) 1 2 3 4 5 Far away Not too far/not too close Bulls eye

4. Share your answers with your partner and discuss their implications.

5. End this time together with this, or a similar prayer. Thank you, Lord, for calling us to be your people—your witnesses and servants. May we celebrate this good news and live lives that reflect your love and grace.

Search Me O God, and Know My Heart Psalm 139:1-18 O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night," even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you. The Call of Jeremiah Jeremiah 1:4-10 Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations." Then I said, "Ah, Lord God ! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth." 7 But the Lord said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a youth'; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord." Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the Lord said to me, "Behold, I have put my words in your mouth. See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant."