Hey, parents!

What happens inside our church every Sunday is special, but we believe what happens during the week in your home is even more important. You’ve probably heard it said, “The days are long, but the years are short.” Our kids grow up faster than we imagine, and we want to help you maximize your time together. 

The average parent has less than a thousand weeks from the time a child is born until they move out of the house. We know those weeks are filled with sleepless nights, messes, and meltdowns, but they’re also filled with divine opportunities.  

The mundane moments (and even the messy moments) often contain teachable moments if we’re present and prepared for them. Mealtimes, bedtimes, car rides, and vacations can become the environment for us to lay the foundation of faith in our kids’ lives.

Ways To Grow Your Kid’s/Teen’s Faith

Helping our kids and teens grow in their faith doesn’t have to be overwhelming. It just takes a little consistency, creative thinking, and guidance. 

Here are three simple steps to help your kids/teenagers grow their faith: 

Lead by example. Our kids and teens are always watching us. They absorb all kinds of interactions, activities, and disciplines. When they see you praying, reading your Bible, and attending an eGroup and church regularly, they’re learning what is valuable and worthy of your time.

Find a Bible that’s right for them. Here are some things to consider: 

• Digital Bible vs. print Bible The Bible is God’s Word no matter what it’s written on. So, this really depends on which one engages and captures your kid’s attention the most. Ask them these questions: What format will help you read the Bible more often? Which one will you most likely take with you to church and eGroup? Which do you think will help you know and understand the Bible better? Let them help choose the right one!
• Is it God-centered? When picking a story Bible, it’s important to know that a good one makes it clear God is the center of the story and that it has stories from the Old and New Testament. For more information on this check out this blog post. 
• Does it have good, accurate, and age-appropriate illustrations? If you have younger children, this is important as it can help them better understand what they are reading.

While it’s important to use discernment when selecting a Bible for your kids/teens, it’s equally important to find one they enjoy reading.

Get involved. There are so many volunteer opportunities in the church and community. When we volunteer with our family, we create both great memories AND the ability for God to strengthen and deepen our faith.

These tips are not a perfect formula, but they can help you and your family establish healthy habits to grow in Christ.

Knowledge Is Power

Attention is the main prize of the internet. Everyone is fighting for it, and phones have become the prime battleground. 

Today’s kids can access almost any kind of information at the click of a button no matter where they are. So how do we keep them safe? 

As a parent, it’s important to be knowledgeable about what smartphone apps could be potentially dangerous. 

We’ve compiled a list of 15 apps every parent should know about to keep their kids safe. Click here to see it, and remember — knowledge is power.😉