Foundation 2

The family is the most powerful influence in the faith formation of children and teenagers. Parents are the first educators of their children and provide the foundation for spiritual life. As congregations and leaders our mandate is to help strengthen and expand that faith formation.

Family life has changed significantly in recent decades and it is important that we move forward and rethink how we can assist and encourage families to continue growing in their faith together.

The church’s role is to provide support and nurture to families and to provide a community to which the whole family can belong, share in, and live out the Christian faith. Spiritual nurture is home-centred and church-assisted, rather than church-centred and home-assisted. This is a shift in mindset from how we have often operated in the past.

“Parents are the primary faith teachers, mentors & role models for their children with the church as a reinforcement— not replacement—of the parent’s duties.”

Rich Melheim

Not all children in a faith community will come from homes where faith is nurtured. Children who are coming from non-churched families can be incorporated and included into other families within the church community, who will then look upon these children as part of their ‘spiritual’ family. This will require training and valuing.

Generational discipleship is God’s design and means that faith is integrated into family identity and practice. “A church program can’t spiritually form a child, but a family living in an intergenerational community of faith can.” Ivy Beckwith

“Faith practised at home says this is not just something we do on Sundays, but equally, faith practised in the context of the church says this way of faithful living is not restricted to only our family.”

Goodliff., “To Such as These”

 

Together the faith community and family can intentionally enable children to experience what it means to be a disciple of Christ.

Scriptural basis:
Deuteronomy 6, Deuteronomy 32:44-47, Joshua 24:15, 2 Chronicles 20:13, Psalm 78, Ephesians 6:1-4

Interested in exploring this topic further? Download our Foundations of Ministry and Mission with Children booklet.

SUGGESTED READING

Books for Leaders

  • Church + Home, Take it Home – Mark Holmen
  • It Takes a Church to Raise a Parent – Rachel Turner
  • Parenting as a Church Leader – Rachel Turner
  • Dreaming of More for the Next Generation – Michelle Anthony
  • Connecting Church and Home – Tim Kimmel
  • Family Ministry: A Comprehensive Guide – Diana Garland
  • Welcoming Children – Joyce Ann Mercer
  • Families at the Center of Faith Formation – John Roberto et al

Books for Parents

  • Parenting Teens for a Life of Faith – Rachel Turner
  • Parenting for Faith: Babies and Toddlers – Rachel Turner
  • Parenting Beyond Your Capacity – Reggie Joiner and Carey Nieuwhof
  • Parenting Children for a Life of Faith Omnibus – Rachel Turner
  • Comfort in Uncertain Times – Rachel Turner
  • Spiritual Parenting – Michelle Anthony
  • Becoming a Spiritually Healthy Family – Michelle Anthony
  • Sticky Faith – Kara Powell
  • Holding Your Family Together – Rich Melheim
  • Graced Based Parenting – Tim Kimmel
  • Grandparenting for Faith – Becky Sedgwick

WEBSITES:

Discipleship NZ Video Resources

Discipleship Pathway is a collection of incredible ministry trainers who have recorded and packaged their skills and wisdom into digital classes. No matter where you are in New Zealand, or what your skills, experience, or church resources look like, you and your team can access high-quality training. You can learn from home, or gather a ministry team to unpack and discuss topics together. With courses on Christian leadership, youth work, effective mission, personal wellbeing, and more, there’s something for everyone!

discipleship.nz/courses/partneringwithfamilies