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Realistic resolutions
Happy New Year! We hope you have enjoyed a great Christmas season.
The new year often represents a time to take stock and re-evaluate, and for many to make new resolutions. On the first of January we have great ambitions for change in our lives, whether that be a regular gym routine or reading the Bible in a year. And for many of us, with the best will in the world, we’ve failed before the end of the month!
Often our goals are lofty but unachievable, whereas having realistic expectations might actually serve us better.
It’s the same with nurturing faith at home. Parents might think they need to have great goals of having hour-long family devotions and deep theological discussions with their three year old. But making the most of everyday opportunities and just making one tweak could actually have much more impact, and be attainable!
How can we as church leaders help families this year to make faith come alive at home and it not just be a nice idea? How can we play our part in encouraging and supporting parents?
"I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also."
2 Timothy 1:5
We’ve put some ideas together below, but also take some time to pray for the parents in your church, and think about what realistic resolutions you can make this year to equip them to help their little disciples grow in faith.
Gareth and the Kitchen Table Project team
A sense of belonging
We all want children to feel like they belong in our church and one of the great ways of doing this is by giving them ownership and responsibility.
Can you identify areas where children could be involved in service and ministry too? Maybe helping with the AV, serving refreshments or leading prayers. It might take some thought, but could make a big impact on a little life.
Inspiring a faith that lasts
Have you looked at our booklet for churches? There are lots of ideas of how you can equip the parents in your church to help nurture their children’s faith at home.
Planning ahead
Would you like to chat on a wider scale with others about how you can equip parents in your area? If you have a regional leaders’ meeting or conference then why not invite Gareth to speak!
Gareth Hillier is the national networker for the Kitchen Table Project and is happy to run seminars and workshops anywhere in the UK, or just chat further about the project.
Please send us your stories of inspiring faith at home – good and bad – we know it’s a rollercoaster! We’d love to include them in our emails and on the blog.
Care for the Family - a Christian response to a world of need.
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