CHILDREN & YOUTH DISCIPLESHIP PLAN
LEARNING FAITH Children and youth learn about faith first at home, second at church. The purpose of this guide is to paint a broad picture of what children and youth will experience while participating in the life and ministries of Trietsch Memorial United Methodist Church. This is not a checklist, but simply a road map for each child s spiritual journey. Trietsch Children & Youth Discipleship Plan - 2
ALL CHILDREN AND YOUTH Are invited to receive Holy Communion, regardless of age Are invited to attend Sunday school, worship and small groups Are invited to participate in all programming relating to their current school grade/preschool class Are protected by the Trietsch Ministry Safe Policy Trietsch Children & Youth Discipleship Plan - 3
PARENTS CAN HELP THEIR CHILDREN GROW IN THEIR FAITH BY Being caring and responsive to their child s needs Talking with their child about God, community, and love at home Supporting the development of their child s abilities and understanding of their own identity as a unique child of God Showing their child that God is important in their daily life and talking about how God works in our lives Teaching their children to give their best to God through stewardship by caring for their church, all people, and the earth Being open to ways children experience God and are not sure how to articulate Participating in mission opportunities with your child to teach the importance of sharing and caring for others Serving as teachers, leaders and helpers with Children and Youth weekly opportunities and special events to be able to continue the conversation at home Accepting their child is going to have questions you may or may not be able to answer, but being willing to hear their questions and have open conversations about them Attending a Baptism class to prepare for baptism Participating in a Life Group or other small group Working on your own spiritual growth, which is one of the best gifts you can give your child Trietsch Children & Youth Discipleship Plan - 4
BIRTH - WALKERS I am beginning to see God s love through my caregivers I am being introduced to music and Bible stories at church and at home I am loved by my personal family and my church family I feel safe in my home and church Parents are invited to present children for infant baptism Trietsch Children & Youth Discipleship Plan - 5
TODDLERS - TWO S Connection Points: God made me, God loves me I am learning that church is a friendly, loving, and caring place I am learning that I am a child of God and God loves me I am learning simple prayers as I observe parents, caregivers and teachers praying I am learning that the Bible is a special and important book I can sing and pray I can participate in Sunday School, preschool music and VBS Parents are invited to serve with Sunday School and VBS Trietsch Children & Youth Discipleship Plan - 6
THREE S FOUR S Connection Points: God made me, God loves me I am beginning to recognize Bible stories and symbols of faith Guided play helps me learn about and appreciate others I am learning about prayer & can pray for others I can sing songs about Jesus s love for me I can participate in Sunday School, preschool music and VBS Parents are invited to serve with Sunday School and VBS Trietsch Children & Youth Discipleship Plan - 7
KINDERGARTEN AND FIRST GRADES Connection Points: I can trust God no matter what. I need to make wise choices. I continue to learn Bible stories and symbols of faith I can offer prayers for others I am beginning to learn about Worship I am being introduced to the Lord s Prayer at home and church I am learning about generosity I can participate in Sunday School, The Anchor (1st grade), children s music and VBS Parents are invited to attend The Anchor at any time. Reinforce the lessons of The Anchor by visiting www.studio252.tv with your child. Parents are also invited to serve with Sunday School, The Anchor, children s music and VBS. Trietsch Children & Youth Discipleship Plan - 8
SECOND AND THIRD GRADES Connection Points: I can trust God no matter what. I need to make wise choices. I should treat others the way I want to be treated. I receive a Bible from the church as a third grader I am learning to use my Bible at church and home and apply it to my life I am beginning to understand the Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion I am learning about generosity through gifts of service and my weekly offering I am learning about worship and my church I can participate in Sunday School, Bible presentation, The Anchor, Children s Choir, Bridgeport Summer Camp, and VBS Bibles are presented each September during worship. Parents are invited to attend The Anchor any time. Reinforce the lessons of The Anchor by visiting www.studio252.tv with your child. Parents are invited to serve with Sunday School, The Anchor, children s music & VBS. Trietsch Children & Youth Discipleship Plan - 9
FOURTH AND FIFTH GRADES Connection Points: I can trust God no matter what. I need to make wise choices. I should treat others the way I want to be treated. I am developing a deeper understanding of the many ways to pray and many types of prayers I am becoming more familiar with and beginning to understand the acts of worship through participation in The Anchor and participation in Children s Choirs I am learning how to live out Jesus Greatest Commandment in my home and community You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. Matthew 22:37 (NRSV) You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:39 (NRSV) I can participate in Sunday School, The Anchor, Communion workshop, Children s Choir, Bridgeport Summer Camp, VBS (4 th graders) and Journey Camp (5 th graders) Parents are invited to attend The Anchor any time. Reinforce the lessons of The Anchor by visiting www.studio252.tv with your child. Parents are invited to serve with Sunday School, The Anchor, children s music & VBS. Trietsch Children & Youth Discipleship Plan -10
AS A YOUTH (6th 12th Grades) I will begin exploring the unique gifts God has given me and have opportunities to develop, express, and use those gifts I will be reminded of God s unconditional love and how to share that unconditional love with others (Romans 8:28 & Psalms 139:14) I will have the opportunity to learn about stewardship and how to be a good steward of my resources, time, and talents I will have opportunities to serve in local and national Missions I am able to participate in retreats and faith formation events with youth my own age throughout each year Trietsch Children & Youth Discipleship Plan -11
SIXTH GRADE I am considered a youth at Trietsch beginning in the fall of sixth grade I am invited to participate in Confirmation where I begin The Journey of developing my own relationship with Jesus and have an opportunity to make my own declaration of faith, be baptized and join the church I am invited to participate in Middle School Sunday school, Uth Kwior, Stage Right Ministries, The Ridge, Sunday Night Middle School small group and Wednesday Night Life Group I am invited to participate in a Middle School Mission trip I am invited to serve with The Anchor and Faith Voyage small groups I am learning about modeling my life after Jesus I am continuing to develop understanding of how my faith connects to real life issues and situations Parents are invited to participate in The Ridge on Sunday evenings at any time. Parents are also invited to serve as teachers, small group leaders, and helpers at any youth weekly events and special events. Trietsch Children & Youth Discipleship Plan -12
I am invited to participate in Middle School Sunday school, Uth Kwior, Stage Right Ministries, The Ridge, Sunday Night Middle School small group and Wednesday Night Life Group during the school year I am invited to participate in a Middle School Mission trip I am invited to serve with The Anchor and Faith Voyage small groups on a weekly basis SEVENTH GRADE I am invited to participate in Summer Sunday School, Brown Bag Bible study and Sunday Fundays during the summer I am invited to serve with VBS and MAD Camp during the summer I am encouraged to incorporate spiritual disciplines of prayer and study into my daily life I am learning what it means to live a missional life Middle School parents are invited to participate in The Ridge on Sunday evenings at any time. Parents are also invited to serve as teachers, small group leaders, and helpers at any youth weekly events and special events. Trietsch Children & Youth Discipleship Plan -13
EIGHTH GRADE I am invited to participate in Middle School Sunday school, Uth Kwior, Stage Right Ministries, The Ridge, Sunday Night Middle School small group and Wednesday Night Life Group during the school year I am invited to participate in a Middle School Mission trip I am invited to serve with The Anchor and Faith Voyage small groups on a weekly basis I am invited to participate in Summer Sunday School, Brown Bag Bible study and Sunday Fundays during the summer I am invited to serve with VBS and MAD Camp during the summer I am learning more about the history of Methodism Middle School parents are invited to participate in The Ridge on Sunday evenings at any time. Parents are also invited to serve as teachers, small group leaders, and helpers at any youth weekly events and special events. Trietsch Children & Youth Discipleship Plan -14
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS (9 th 12 th Grade) I am invited to participate in High School Sunday school, Uth Kwior, Stage Right Ministries, The Ridge, Sunday Night High School small groups and Wednesday Night Life Group during the school year I am invited to participate in a High School Mission trip I am invited to serve with The Anchor, Faith Voyage small groups and Confirmation on a weekly basis I am invited to participate in Prayer breakfast where I learn more about modeling my life after Jesus and praying for each other on a consistent basis I am invited to participate in Summer Sunday School, Brown Bag Bible study and Sunday Fundays during the summer I am invited to serve with VBS and MAD Camp during the summer I am invited to apply to the Youth Advisory Council in order to take an active role in determining the direction of faith formation topics and study offered I am studying the Bible on my own and continuing to connect lessons in it to my own life I understand the importance of missions and actively participate in mission opportunities throughout the year I am learning more about the Mission, Vision and Values of Trietsch and how to apply that to my everyday life I am developing an invitational culture within my youth group I am learning how to articulate my faith High School parents are invited to participate in The Ridge on Sunday evenings at any time. Parents are also invited to serve as teachers, small group leaders, and helpers at any youth weekly events and special events. Trietsch Children & Youth Discipleship Plan -15
JESUS LOVED THE LITTLE CHILDREN But Jesus called the children to him and said, Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Luke 18:16 (NIV) Trietsch Children & Youth Discipleship Plan -16