Christian Parenting

8/2/2019 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.

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Christian Parenting