Parenting for Faith Formation

"We learn about being a Christian by looking over someone's shoulder." Children learn best by seeing consistent models in their life, and parents are the primary models and educators for their children. One of the goals for Christian Education is to partner with parents and the Holy Spirit in developing strategies for faith formation.

Here are some ideas to join in the process of faith formation with your children!

1.Discuss with your children what they learned in Church School, or what happened in the worship service. Don't be afraid of questions that you may not have an answer to; questions are a sign of curiosity and engagement. Both are vital in the development of faith. You have many resources to help you, take advantage of them! (Church Library, Church School Teacher, Ministers, the Holy Spirit) An excellent book resources is Making a Home for Faith by Elizabeth Caldwell, PhD

2.Develop rituals of faith that make spiritual practice a norm in your family. Attending weekly worship service and church school are a great place to start. Other simple rituals like saying a prayer of thanks before a meal (Grace), keeping an advent wreath, being regularly involved in service projects, and doing family Bible Studies will increase the environment of faith in your household.

3.Let your children see you practicing your faith: worshipping, reading the Bible, praying, giving, sharing in the community, serving others. Children are always watching their parents!

4.Encourage your children to pray and read the Bible for themselves. Below are some simple prayers you can teach your children. With very young children, a technique called "lining out" could be helpful. The adult will say one short phrase and the child will repeat the line. Also encourage your children to pray to God in their own words, giving thanks and making requests.

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us debts as we forgive our debtors. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever, Amen.

( Hallowed means "holy" or "sacred"; Thy and thine are older ways of saying "your" and "yours"; Debts in this prayer have the meaning of sin)

A Morning Prayer
Each morning when I wake, I say take care of me, dear God. Today in work and play, please let me be, always Jesus, just for Thee. In all I think, and do and say take care of me, dear God, I pray. Amen

A Prayer Before a Meal

Bless, O Lord, these gifts to our use, and us to your service. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen

God is great! God is good! Let us thank Him for our food. Amen.

A Prayer Before Bedtime
The day is past and over, all thanks, O Lord, to Thee! O Jesus, keep me in Thy sight, And hold me through the coming night. Amen.

Now I lay me down to sleep; I pray Thee, Lord, my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake. I pray Thee, Lord, my soul to take; And this I ask for Jesus' sake. Amen.