When we get together once a month for family night, we have a brief object lesson or activity that introduces a topic, then we serve a simple meal. Parents are supplied with a few ideas and questions on the topic of the night to help them facilitate a discussion with their kids about that aspect of faith. The idea is that they can practice talking to their kids about faith in a supportive environment surrounded by their church family, and this can help make it easier to continue this practice at home.
After the meal, we sing a few worship songs together—intentionally using an easy kids’ song that the youngest in our group can easily participate with, as well as a contemporary song that might better connect with the music young people hear today, and a traditional hymn to connect them to our Sunday morning style of worship. After singing together, the parents gather for a discussion about how we can better live out our faith at home and share it with our kids.
For those of you who don’t have kids at home, we need your help too! If you’re a grandparent, your role is very important in supporting and encouraging your kids in their role as parents. You can model faith and talk with your grandkids about what it means to you. If you have neighbors or other children in your life, you can also have a big impact upon strengthening the faith of the next generation. Won’t you pray about how you can strengthen the faith of the next generation?