Family Faith

Tools

Simple tools to help you lead
your child spiritually all week long

This Month in Journey Kids

This August, we’re helping kids discover that they are God’s masterpiece! Throughout the month, they’ll learn that God created them on purpose, for a purpose.

They’ll discover that God loves them deeply, made them wonderful, and can use every part of their story. They’ll also learn that God has given each of them unique gifts to love others and make a difference.

Elementary

Nursery – Juniors

We want to help equip YOU as the spiritual leader of your family to help your kids know God, love God, and live like he says!

First Steps of Faith

Below are resources to help your child take next steps in their faith and to bring elements of our Journey Kids gatherings to your home. These are just some of the things you can introduce to your child so they learn to focus on Jesus all week long!

Start Here with your child

Watch this video with your child as it describes God’s big story and how each of us are a BIG part of it.

Talk about it with your kids

Use this 4 day YouVersion Plan that has videos and questions to start a conversation with your child to see if they are ready to take their first steps of faith.

First time faith resource

Did your child put their faith in Jesus in Journey Kids?  If so, you should have received our First Time Fath Resource. Follow the next steps and have your child fill it in with their first time faith story. Bring it to Journey Kids so we can celebrate this first step of faith with them!

Baptism

After your child has taken their first step of faith by saying a prayer that puts their faith in Jesus, their next step is to be baptized!

How do you know if your child is ready to be baptized? We recommend waiting until your child is asking to be baptized and until your child is enrolled in 1st grade. This will help ensure they understand and remember this decision. If your child has asked to be baptized, it’s a great time to start a conversation with them about what it means to follow Jesus fully. As their parent, we trust that you can have that conversation and determine if your child is ready. However, Journey Kids is also here to partner with you, provide you with resources, and help you with that decision.

If your child is in 1st-5th grade and has expressed interest in taking this next step, please review the following resources before registering them.

FAQs about Baptism

Watch this video with your child and discuss it afterwards to see if they understand what baptism is.

As you discern if your child is ready to be baptized, here are some questions to ask your child. The answers that follow are examples that show your child understands.

ASK: What does it mean to be baptized?
LISTEN FOR ANSWERS SIMILAR TO: It means I love Jesus, and I want to show the world. Because Jesus was, and he tells us to be baptized. Because I’ve put my faith in Jesus, and I want to follow Him.

ASK: When did you decide to follow Jesus (to put your faith in Him, to become His forever friend, born-again, saved, said a prayer of salvation)?
LISTEN FOR ANSWERS THAT SHOW: Your child has a specific memory of when he or she understood what Jesus did. He or she understands they are a sinner and in need of Jesus to save them. This moment may have been at church, at home, or even sometime when they were alone.

ASK: Why do you want to be baptized?
LISTEN FOR ANSWERS SIMILAR TO: Because Jesus was and he tells us to be baptized also. Because I’ve put my faith in Jesus and I want to follow Him. Because I want to show everyone I’m on Team Jesus!

What If My Child Does Not Seem Ready?
If you don’t feel your child understands what it means to be baptized, it’s totally appropriate to wait. Remember, baptism does not save – that is done by your child trusting Jesus, (saying a prayer that puts all their faith in Him). During this time, let your child observe baptism and talk to them about what it means. Continue to dive into God’s word together so your child can grow in their personal relationship with Jesus. Pray boldness over your child to have the desire to show everyone that they are on Team Jesus!

Oftentimes, kids will say they want to get baptized during Baptism Weekend itself in order to be part of the celebration that is happening in the gatherings. Because of this, we ask that all kids register for baptism the week before. We do not do spontaneous baptisms for children during Baptism Weekend. All children must be registered in advance of the weekend. This will help you ensure that your child is wanting to be baptized based solely on their decision to put their faith in Jesus.

Set your child up for spiritual success!

Help them to learn to know God, love God, and live like he says

Our Journey Kids gatherings are designed for your child to learn to know God by learning who he is and by reading his word. Your child will also learn who they are because we teach our kids that God created us to love him, and love others! Once they learn WHO they are and WHOSE they are, they will learn about what God wants them to do next… to live like he says! Below are tools that will help your child adopt public and personal habits that will grow their faith.

KNOW GOD

Take your kids to Journey Kids to gather on the weekend so they learn who He is, in a way they can understand.

Journey Kids is designed with age appropriate music, Bible messages, and activities so your child can learn to know God in a way they can understand. We understand that sometimes getting kids to church at any age can be difficult, and I’m sure you’ve wondered at times, “Is it worth it?” We promise the answer is, “Yes!”

Did you know a Harvard research study showed that kids who regularly attended a gathering at church (more than once/month) were shielded more from depression, substance abuse, and premature sexual activity as they grew towards adolescence? They also found that kids who attended church were more likely to grow up happy, be forgiving, generous, and to have a sense of mission and purpose.

Help your kids establish the habit of a slot and spot.  A slot and spot is a daily time on our calendar and a spot that is distraction free where we can focus on knowing God. Here are some resources for various age groups that you can help your child bring into their time and place with God.

LOVE GOD

Consistency Builds Relationships
Your child will have the opportunity to connect with other children their age in small groups, as well as their group leaders. The more consistently they gather at the same location, during the same gathering, those relationships will start to grow!

Invest and Invite
We want every child to have the opportunity to know God, love God, and live like he says. We encourage your child to invest in relationships with their friends and family by inviting them to attend church with them!

LIVE LIKE HE SAYS

Reward Time

In our Elementary age group, we love to reward our kids when we see them taking next steps in their faith to live like he says. Your child will be given the opportunity every week to be rewarded for the following:

  • Bringing their Bible to church
    • Did you know there are so many additional benefits to reading the Bible?
    • Kids who read their Bible struggle less than peers with depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts.
    • Studies also show that children who read their Bible at least four times per week have 54% lower odds of engaging in risky behavior as they get older.
    • Kids who own a Bible are more likely to be able to hear from God.
  • Bringing a friend to church
    • Help your child invest in relationships with family and friends by inviting them to join us at church!

More Family Faith Tools

Below are some God-centered options for your child that bring elements of our gathering experience to your home. We hope you enjoy these parent resources as you explore ways to help your focus on their relationship with Jesus all week long!

Bibles

Digital Bible Resources

Worship Music & Videos

Need more help?

Our Journey Kids Leaders are here for your family.