10 Decades of Life. Faith from Generation to Generation 21 st Century Style

Transcription

1 10 Decades of Life Faith from Generation to Generation 21 st 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) 1

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. 2

3 Parental Modeling & Teaching Prayer Parental Faith Faith Scripture Reading Learning & Applying Faith to Daily Life Praying Serving Others Caring Conversation Celebrating Rituals Reading the Bible 3

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... 4

5 How will we do this in a new world with new generations? 5

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7 Online Faith Activities Parent Resources Children & Families Apps Mobile Content Videos Prayer Spiritual Formation Worship Church Activities Mission Service Learning Extending Church Events 7

8 Learning & Applying Faith to Daily Life Praying Serving Others Caring Conversation Celebrating Rituals Reading the Bible 8

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12 1. SHARE your highs & lows of the day 2. READ and highlight a verse of scripture in your bible* 3. TALK about how the bible verse relates to your highs & lows 4. PRAY TURN OFF THE TV, PUT DOWN THE NEWSPAPER, SET THE CELLPHONE ON SILENCE AND INVEST 5 MINUTES IN YOUR FAMILY WITH THESE SIMPLE STEPS. for your highs & lows, for your family, and for the world one another 5 Faith Acts In The Home The Faith 5. BLESS one another Faith Acts In The Home 12

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14 u Meal times u Car times Faith through the... Day Week Month Year 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 14

15 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) 1 VibrantFaithatHome.org_Caring Conversations_Stories from Dad or Grandpa 15

16 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. 1 VibrantFaithatHome.org_Serving Others_Love-Your-Neighbor Jar 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: 2 VibrantFaithatHome.org_Serving Others_Love-Your-Neighbor Jar 16

17 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 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. 1 VibrantFaithatHome.org_Serving Others_Vacationing for Good 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. 1 VibrantFaithatHome.org_Prayer_Prayer Album 17

18 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. 1 VibrantFaithatHome.org_Prayer_Summer Prayer Corner 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 Example 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? 1 VibrantFaithatHome.org_Bible Story_Right Time and Place 18

19 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) 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." 2 VibrantFaithatHome.org_Bible Story_Right Time and Place 19