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Resources for Christian
Parenting Discipling Our Kids!
How can you intentionally grow your children as
Christians?
Here is a handout drawn from various sources with
some suggestions and ideas to help you. Wed love to
hear from you if you have other suggestions please
email us.
You and God
The first thing to say is just as you cant take your children to a place
you havent been to, so you cant help your child grow in
following Jesus if you are not doing the same.
So...try to ensure that however you do it, you invest regularly in your
own relationship with God. Try to make time during the week to
read Gods Word the Bible and talk to God in prayer. Where
possible, attend a small group Bible study and seek to put what you
learn into practice even pray it into practice. Even if its the 30
seconds you have to yourself on the toilet where youve stuck up a
memory verse and three prayer points on the back of the toilet door,
or the quick prayer meeting with your spouse before you go to bed, or
with a friend over the phone at coffee time, set aside time to be with
God.
Your family and God
Children are model seeking missiles they will hear what
you say, but theyll do what you do. While church has its part to
play, we believe that families are the centre of faith development for
children, and want to encourage parents in this role.
So praying with them as well as for them, reading the Bible to
them as well as for yourself, and talk about who Jesus is and how
important he is to you and demonstrate that in action for
example,
i) show your thankfulness to God when something good
happens and share how God is helping you,
ii) talk about things you like about church,
iii) ask forgiveness of your children when you have wronged
them,
iv) show Jesus comes first (eg. get to a Sunday morning
birthday party late after church),
v) prepare them for church,
vi) take them to church
vii) and where appropriate, talk about things you find hard
about being a Christian.
Also, start taking your children to church from the time they
are born. Dont wait until they are about to start school. Those
years from 0-5 are foundational developmental years they will
absorb more than you can imagine by simply being at church week
after week that will set them up for later life following Jesus. They
will also grow up feeling part of the church family.

Praying with your family
When you pray with your family, use a loving touch, a cuddle or hold
hands (eg. when saying thanks to God before a meal).
Encourage your family to thank God for the blessings of the day, and
to talk to God about their disappointments, hurts or joys and
teach this by your example. Share some of the answers to your
prayers and some that you are still waiting for.
When there is a fight with someone, apply the principle that Jesus
taught of taking it to God and making things right with the other
family member.
Some families have a nightly routine where they read or act out a
Bible passage and pray together perhaps with a display book of
photos with a member of the family, special friends, missionaries,
people at church, and others to help focus prayers.
Expose them to Christian music
Not only could you sing hymns and Christian songs together, you
could also play age-appropriate Christian music with your
family. Not only can this be done as background music at home, but
CDs while driving in the car are a great discipling resource with
repetition, children not only learn the words, but also imbibe great
truths about who God is what hes done for them.
See our recommended resources later on for ideas.
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Familiarise your children with what
happens in church
Talk about worship. Children particularly love to know why?, or
what does it mean? Tell your family about the parts of the worship
service why we meet together, have prayers, songs, bible readings,
sermons, etc... Do it little by little and keep your explanations short
and simple. Dont assume that your family members are too young
to understand. As long as there is interest, something positive is
going on.
Practise the responses. Teach a response occasionally. Think
about the service and find something that is regularly repeated (eg.
the Lords Prayer). This helps our family to be familiar with worship
and so feel at home in the service. The deeper meanings will come as
they worship through the years.
Talk about the Lords Supper. In the Lords Supper we
remember and celebrate the death of Jesus on our behalf the heart
of the Christian faith. Talking about the Lords Supper provides a
wonderful opportunity to explain the gospel to your family. Use
words and concepts that they are able to understand eg.
just like we come with empty hands and receive a gift of a sticker, or
the bread and wine, we come to God with empty hearts and receive
forgiveness, eternal life and his love all through Jesus death..., or,
God used Jesus death on the bad, bad, cross to break the power of
dark, deadly sin and to bring good, good life to dead, dead sinners
like you and me (Colin Buchanan, Practise being Godly).

Discuss with your family your own giving. Why you choose to
give the way you give cheerfully, sacrificially, generously to Gods
work. Remember you want to teach the principle of giving and lay
good foundations for adulthood.
Seek and make friends
It will help all the members of your family to feel at home if they are
friends with some other church members. Invite other families to
your place or to some activity, etc... Establish relationships with
friendly adults and responsible young people who may take a
particular interest in encouraging and looking out for your children
at church.
Pre-empt concerns
Discuss with each family member what they can do if they become
restless during the service eg. change seats, spend time with
another adult, occupy themselves with a suitable activity, etc...
Create a special church bag, especially for all-in services or
when there is no childrens program. Encourage each child to help
with filling the church bag (not a plastic bag!). Cloth drawstring is
excellent, or an old handbag. For younger children, equip it with
some favourite toys. Keep some paper and pencils in the bag and
some selected books.
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Preparing for our meeting together as
Gods family
Sunday mornings can be the grumpiest morning of the
week! People tend to sleep late, then there is a frantic search for
clothes. There is often a lack of routine and a maximum of
confusion... and ideal situation for creating frayed tempers and
negative feelings, which accompany the family to church. Sunday
mornings need not be like that...
How we prepare ourselves and our family for worship is an
expression of our own worship and praise of God.
Gods family is made up of everyone called by God (adults, youth,
children, as well as singles and married). All have something to
contribute to our corporate worship.
Children, youth and adults all need a sense of belonging where
we can together experience something of the importance, awe and joy
of being in the presence of God.
Do not be deceived by outward appearances. Even the
youngest children observe the atmosphere of worship and attitudes
of those around them. Be enthusiastic (and if youre not pray
for God to help you). Family members must feel that their parents
are looking forward to this time. Parents who are half-hearted about
coming to church, or who constantly grumble about getting up early
on Sundays, cannot expect the rest of the family to exhibit different
attitudes.

On Sundays at Church
Choose a seat with your family where you can all see and hear,
keeping in mind your familys needs (eg. access to the
toddlers quiet play room, or to the toilets...). Let little children
stand on the seat when the congregation is standing, so that
they can see what is happening.
Make the most of anything visual such as words on the
screen, the action at the Lords Supper or baptism, what the
musicians or Bible readers are doing, etc... Briefly explain
what is happening.
Encourage participation. It is more important to encourage
your childs participation and involvement in worship than
to keep them quiet and occupied. Help young people to see
where we are up to in the service. Include your family in the
greeting time. If children are invited for any reason to go up
the front (eg. childrens talk, baptism), please go with them if
that will help them join in.
During the Lords Supper have your family members remain
with you so that you can guide them through this section of the
service.
Establish a regular pattern of times when concentration
and participation is expected (when there is anything to
do/watch), establish when quiet play is OK, and when
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particular behaviour patterns are required (eg. during sermon
times).
Share Gods love with your family. When you are at church
with your family, help them feel that you enjoy having them
there with you. Find ways to show your love for them eg. a
cuddle or a smile or tell them you enjoy having them with you
at church.
Childish noise. When we meet together, it is only natural that
there will be noise. Every parent usually feels most conscious
about his/her own children. Please be encouraged that it is OK.
However if your child is distressed, you are welcome to use the
toddlers quiet play room or to take them into the foyer.
Encourage your family members to talk quietly with you
when necessary in church, and do the same with them.
Encourage them to ask questions, and answer any questions
they ask. This will help their understanding and sense of
belonging. Do not feel that you have interrupted your worship,
or the worship of others, when you answer questions, or inform
them of whats going on, etc...
Share your feelings of excitement, enthusiasm and awe etc...
with your family (eg. I love this song).

Childrens Programs
If you have preschool children, or if your child is new or
you are unfamiliar with what is happening, you are most
welcome to escort them to their program, and to stay and see what
happens.
Childrens leaders put in a lot of time and effort and we
encourage you to thank them for their work with your children.
Please do not let your children roam around the church
building or grounds during the service. If theyre not in
their program, then theyre in church with you, and vice-versa.
After the service
For safety reasons, if your child is with you in the service, please
dont let them run ahead to the hall, but keep them with you at all
times. Despite our best efforts, drivers do sometimes drive too fast in
our car park and do not always see children.
Its important that you share on the way home, or at home
the things youve learned from your various activities in
worship. This can open up new opportunities for your faith to
be shared.
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Resources for discipling children
The Christian life needs modelling teaching our children to pray,
read the Bible, relate to God, understand about God). Of course
resources are only part of the solution, but its a start and they make
a great springboard for discussion.
While there are a number of great early age appropriate Bibles
available (eg. starting with the Beginners Bible as the first point of
call), here are a couple we highly
recommend (see below).
The Big Picture Story Bible - David
Helm (author) It is the best Bible to
help preschoolers see how the Bible is
fully connected and coherent - and very
clear. (Biblical theology for
preschoolers).
The Jesus Storybook Bible - Sally Lloyd-
Jones (author) - for four to eight year olds
this is a big step up from the Big Picture
Bible, with a very evocative faithful
storytelling, with each Bible story being
connected to Jesus. Very engaging and
well written. (Biblical theology for preps to
grade 3s).
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God and Me - 365 Devotions - Penny

Boshoff (author) - a fantastic devotion
book that you can read with your
toddlers/preschool child/ren every
night. Has a topic of interest, a prayer
they can pray after you in little bits, and
connects with a story you can read from
your Bible to them.

The second in Colin's series of books aimed at bringing Bible

truths alive, page by page. Also includes a free CD!

It's an activity, picture and songbook with family devotions all

in one! Includes free CD. Super Saviour Book | The third in Colin's series of books aimed
at bringing Bible truths alive, page by page. Also includes a
free CD!
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Another idea: just put Christian CDs on in the car when Preschoolers and Younger Primary School
driving or at home the kids will soak it up, and start to sing
along, and theyre much more enjoyable for adults than listening
listen to the Wiggles! Not only that, but kids can spend more time
listening to them than reading books.

We recommend:

Preschoolers
The King, The Snake and the Promise
Music CD (http://emu.mu/ )

A very very very Big God Music CD (http://emu.mu/ ) The story of the Bible with bible readings, narration and mostly
songs itll might even teach parents a thing or
two too (think of it as Biblical Theology for kids
but dont if that will put you off).

A wonderful collection of songs that children

like and relate to (and adults enjoy too)

Meet the King Music CD (http://emu.mu/)

A brilliant largely sung overview of Marks Gospel.

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And many Colin Buchanan CDs & DVDs all brimming with
Gods indestructible Bible truths

(http://www.colinbuchanan.com.au/ )

Get Ready Music CD (http://emu.mu/ )

Songs about what God is like and what we believe. Fantastic.

The King of Christmas

God Unlimited Music CD (http://emu.mu/ )

More songs about what God is like and what we believe. Fantastic.

Jesus rocks the world

To be like Jesus Music CD (http://emu.mu/ )

Songs for kids about the Fruit of the Spirit. Again fantastic.

o 10, 9, 8 God is Great

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Super Saviour

Colins Favourites the best of

Good News Parcel Company DVD

A great DVD presenting the gospel to children a great

present!

If you have found other resources that are helpful in discipling

kids, please let us know.