Faith at HomeResearch has confirmed that the primary location for nurturing the faith of a child should be in the home, amongst family members. We read in Deuteronomy 6:5-9 the we should: “...Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” One practical way to nurture the faith of your child/ren at home is to practise the "FAITH 5" (of Faith Inkubators fame) every night at home. - SHARE your highs and lows
- READ and highlight a theme verse in your bible
- TALK about how today's verse relates to your highs and lows. Respond to the following;
- One thing I learnt today;
- One thing I already knew that is worth repeating;
- One thing I would like to know more about.
- PRAY for one another, praising and thanking God for your highs, and asking God to be with you in your lows.
- BLESS one another. Mark each person with the sign of the cross saying, 'May Jesus bless you'.
Resources to assist familiesThere are a number of resources available to assist families in nurturing the faith of a child at home. We have outlined a few of these below. If you require further information or assistance contact LYQ on ph.07 3511 4080. | Materials | | | Faith Family | Simple resource where parents can find helpful hints, interesting articles and book reviews. Subscriptions for congregations available through LYQ. | | | | | Books | | | Luther’s Small Catecism | This book was originally published to assist parents in teaching the faith to their children. Available from Australian Church Resources (http://www.acresources.com.au/). | | Faith begins at Home | This book encourages families to put Christ back into the centre of the family, and to make time to have faith nurturing in the home (www.koorong.com.au).
| | | | | Websites | | | www.formingfaith.com | This website has been put together by Pastor Greg Preibbenow, Associate Pastor at St Paul’s Lutheran Church, Box Hill, Victoria. This helpful website provides many angles to faith formation in the home. | | www.tyfi.org | The Youth and Family Institute was the founding group behind ‘Child in our Hands’. Their insightful website provides articles, information, and free downloads to assist parent, children and youth leader and Pastors. | | www.families.org.au | Focus on the Family broadcasts are heard all over Australia on Christian radio stations, and are listened to by thousands of people each day but there is more to Focus on the Family than a radio segment. Visit this website for more information about seminars, training opportunities, resources and articles. | www.search-institute.org | The Search Institute website has free downloads of extensive research into what young people need to make them confident, content and happier children. Click on the ‘What Kids Want’ tag for great information about where young people are at today. | www.triplep.net
| Parenting can be tough; after all kids don't come with a manual. The Triple P Positive Parenting Program is an effective parenting program that helps to create stable, supportive and harmonious families by empowering parents to build positive relationships with their children. |
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