HOME IS A LAUNCHING PAD, NOT A LANDING PLACE.

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2 HOME IS A LAUNCHING PAD, NOT A LANDING PLACE. 18 years days. That s your window of opportunity. The days may feel long, but the years fly by fast. As a parent, God has called you to implant the Christian worldview into the heart of a little human being, and to aim that child at the world. 2

3 THE CHECKPOINTS There s an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth. - Ecclesiastes 3:1 Launching your child well requires intentional training. At Storyline, we believe that each phase of parenting requires a unique set of tools and a wise understanding of a child s development. There are strategic moments we call them checkpoints in which parents should celebrate rites of passage, as well as prepare for what s ahead. 3

4 WELCOME TO THE WORLD (Expecting to 2 Years) Developing a vision for your child and your parenting. Baby Dedication New Parent Dinner/Seminar Shepherding a Child s Heart by Tripp Love and Respect by Eggerichs Pray regularly with your child, as you feed them, change them, ride in the car. Teach them key words like: Bible, Jesus, God, pray, and praise. Read and discuss one of our Key Resources with your spouse or a with a friend. Develop a list of family values, as described in the New Parent Seminar. Give an unchurched neighbor in your same life stage a night out by babysitting for an evening. Sign up as a regular volunteer in Storyland, getting involved in our children s ministry. When a Storyline team goes on a mission trip, point to the location on a map and teach the name of the country or city. Pray for the trip. 4

5 BUILDING A FOUNDATION (Ages 2 to 5 Years) Preparing your child to know and love God s Word. Leading Family Devotions Workshop Biblical Discipline Workshop The Jesus Storybook Bible by Lloyd-Jones Loving the Little Years by Jankovic Together, memorize the monthly verse from Storyland preschool ministry. Play Scripture-based music in the car, such as Seeds Family Worship or Hide Them In Your Heart by Steve Green. Create the habit of reading Bible stories regularly to your child. Join a Home Group so that your preschooler sees you in community. Let your child participate in Storyline s Love Your Neighbor emphases that take place throughout the year. Take goodies to your neighbors around the holidays or be mindful to drop off a meal or care package during illness, injury, or crisis. As a family, find a way to sacrificially give during Christmas season, such as packing an Operation Christmas Child shoebox. (Samaritan s Purse Ministries) 5

6 CONNECTING TO CHRIST (K-4th grade) Communicating the plan of salvation through Jesus to your child. Parent Child Relationship Starting Point classes (second Sunday of every month) The Biggest Story by DeYoung Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family by Tripp Discuss Sunday morning s Big Picture Question & Answer with your child. Encourage your child to come into the big room and see the adults worship on occasion. Show them that praising God is important to you. Set aside time to read The Biggest Story with your child. If your child receives Christ, be sure and celebrate their spiritual birthday! Learn your neighbors names and have them over for a meal. Play a game! Volunteer at a ministry event that your child will attend this year. In November and December, challenge your kids to do additional chores and earn money for the Extra Stocking Missions Offering. Adopt a local fire, police, or EMT station and deliver cookies or thank you notes. 6

7 BRIDGING THE GAP (5th-6th Grade) Establishing habits of wise and godly decision-making. Middle School Preview event Parent Child Relationship Starting Point classes (2nd Sunday of the month) 5 Conversations You Must Have With Your Daughter by Courtney (There s also a son version.) Making Men: 5 Steps to Growing Up by Holton Make it a habit to ask your student what they are learning each Sunday morning in The Bridge. Encourage your student to attend The Bridge summer camp or retreat. Use one of our Key Resources as a guide for a series of conversations with your student. Share your spiritual story (your testimony) with your student. Consider writing down key in your life and what you learned from them. Serve together at a Storyline event. Attend one of The Bridge service projects with your student. Pray about going on a Storyline mission trip with your student in the coming year. 7

8 SHAPING AN IDENTITY (7th-8th grades) Celebrating your child s uniqueness in God. Parent Child Relationship Starting Point classes (second Sunday of the month) Storyline Student Ministry Can I Ask That? By Candy and Griffin Sticky Faith by Powell and Clark After worship on Sunday, ask your child one thing they learned. Attend a Storyline Students event with your child. Involve other godly adults in your student s life to teach, encourage, and train them. Read one of our Key Resources with your child and plan a special date night to discuss it. Begin to challenge your student to serve others tangibly, such as shoveling snow, mowing a yard, sweeping a porch. On Student Ministry Sundays at Storyline, encourage your child to be involved in taking up the offering, passing out flyers, or singing on the platform. Pray about going on a Storyline mission trip with your student in the coming year. Challenge your student to develop a list of unchurched friends they pray for. 8

9 PREPARING FOR TAKEOFF (9th-10th grade) Rooting Your Child in the Christian Worldview Parent Child Relationship Storyline Student Ministry Jesus Among Other Gods by Zacharias Age of Opportunity by Tripp Honor God s instruction to keep a day of rest. Create margin for family time, rest, and service. Maintain a habit of riding together to church. Encourage your student to begin a regular devotional habit. Consider a gift of an ESV Study Bible. Read what they read, watch what they watch, listen to what they listen to. Look for ways to serve on Sunday mornings at Storyline together. Include your child in ways that you personally minister to others. Offer your home as a safe place for your student s unchurched friends. Consider watching a missionary movie with your child and discuss it, such as End of the Spear. 9

10 LAUNCHING INTO LIFE (11th-12th grade) Releasing a fully-devoted disciple. Junior/Senior Retreat Parent Child Relationship Graduation dinner and recognition How To Stay Christian in College by Budziszewski Mere Christianity by Lewis As your student visits colleges, be sure to investigate and attend solid churches in that city. Make Sunday worship a priority in your family life, amidst sports, jobs, and travel. Consider having a small group book or bible study with your child and close friends. Read the Key Resources together. Invite dialogue as much as possible. Find ways to serve together in ministry at church or in local non-profit agencies. Model service for your student, allowing them to see your personal sacrifices. Help your child understand the importance of budgeting, giving, and supporting missionaries around the world. Invite adults who have been spiritual leaders in their lives over to dinner before they head off to college. 10

11 FOR ADDITIONAL READING Do any of these titles catch your interest? Hop online and grab one of these great books: Fit To Burst: Abundance, Mayhem, & the Joys of Motherhood By Jankovic Raising a Modern Day Knight By Lewis The Smart Step-Family by Deal Treasuring Christ When Your Hands Are Full By Furman and Mahaney Disciplines of a Godly Family By Hughes Sacred Parenting By Thomas The Shaping of a Christian Family By Elliot Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World By Welch The Faithful Parent By Peace and Scott The Five Love Languages of Children By Chapman and Campbell Family Worship By Whitney 11

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