WE WANT EVERY KID AND FAMILY MEMBER TO KNOW, EXPERIENCE AND RESPOND TO THE LOVE OF JESUS.
On Sunday mornings, Infants-5th grae check-in before service.
We’re using The Gospel Project with our Toddlers-5th Graders. Most weeks, all ages are hearing the same story with a lesson that is geared to their unique age. There is a large group teaching component where kids listen to the Bible story, understand the main point of the story, and see how it’s connected in God’s big story. And there is a small group component where kids engage with the story and lesson in a more hands-on, relational way through a mix of games, discussion, activities, craft and/or journal time. We want kids to personalize the lesson during these small group times as they build great friendships with each other and their leaders.
We keep the groups small and leaders guide kids through activities and discussion questions to help them deepen their understanding of biblical concepts and their relationship with Christ in a safe and cleanly space for each age group.
Here’s a video overview of The Gospel Project:
We believe in Jesus' great commission to go make disciples. And we believe that starts in the home with our own families. As parents, we know that spiritually leading and developing our kids is our most important responsibility. Well, that and keeping them alive. We also know, from experience, that's a lot easier said than done. Life happens. Distractions get in the way. "I'll do it tomorrow" turns into "next week" which turns into "I can't remember the last time we..."
Building spiritual rhythms and disciplines for your family can feel overwhelming and thus we put off starting or doing them. That's the evil one saying "you can't do it" or "it's too late" or "that's what the church is for." Those are lies.
You were created to do this. It's never too late to start. Even if your kids are 17. Just do something. Take one small step. And build on it. Something is better than nothing. And your kids are hungry for it. AND MAKE IT FUN!
The goal isn't producing seminary graduates. It's about creating simple, repeatable, Gospel-centered patterns for your family. And that's gonna look different for each family.
Also consider getting together with another parent or two or five and talk about all this stuff together. We were meant to do life in community. And that includes this "discipling our kids" piece.
Below are some resources to help you get started or try something new or simply to encourage you as a parent. We'll continue to grow this list as we come across things we think will be helpful for you. And if YOU find something that has worked well for your family, let us know (steve.mercer@peninsulabible.org) and we'll consider adding it to the list.