supporting parents in biblical literacy - faith formation clinic 8.7.2010
DESCRIPTION
Ministry to children and youth is also ministry to parents. This session will identify some of the challenges we face in supporting parents of children and youth as they participate in the development of their child's biblical literacy and will look at easy ways to increase biblical literacy among parents.TRANSCRIPT
Supporting Parents in Biblical Literacy
Susan Hinton and Chad King
© Augsburg Fortress, 2010
Session Goals
• Explore the needs that parents have in regards to building biblical literacy with their children
• Leave with three specific ideas that you can use to support parents in your congregation
The Ideal Parent
Identify your “ideal” parent
• 5-6 characteristics
• Who in your ministry embodies those attributes?
What is your role?
• CED’s are managers
• Good managers help others grow by– equipping– empowering– encouraging
Equipping
• What does it mean to be equipped?
Equipping
• A well-equipped parent has the necessary tools to support the faith development of their child
• To equip the parents, we need to know the context of the those to whom we minister
Parent #1 – Sally
• Actively and willing involved with and engaged in church life since she was a child
• Connected to the congregation through many vital relationships with others at church
• Has taught Sunday School for several years• Actively facilitates her own child(ren)’s
involvement in church activities
ENMESHED
Parent #2 – Mike
• Has been involved with church, but only as much as was absolutely required by his parents
• Left church after confirmation• Started attending church after children were
born• Few of his own activities or interests connect
him to the church
BORDER
Parent #3 – Teresa
• May or may not have grown up connected to church life
• Children attend regardless of parental involvement
• Not connected or involved with the church directly at all
UNPLUGGED
Equipping
• What skills do parents need to be effective as they support the biblical literacy of their child?
• What do you already do to equip your parents with these skills?
Equipping - Ideas
• Consider a parent’s retreat
• Support parents in their own biblical literacy
• Provide additional relevant material to parents throughout the year
Equipping
• Write down one thing you can do to better equip your parents.
Empowering
• What does it mean to be empowered?
Empowering
• Providing the power your parents need to be more effective
Empowering
• Provide opportunities for parents to learn from one another
• Connect teachers and parents
• Provide support to them in worship settings
• Pray for them
Empowering
• What do you already do to empower your parents?
• Write down one thing you can do to better empower your parents.
Encouraging
• providing the recognition and feedback that help refresh and sustain parents over time.
Encouraging
1. Who was the person that encouraged you?
2. How has that encouragement impacted you?
Encouraging
• Celebrate the parent/church relationship throughout the year
• Affirm the contributions of each parent
Empowering
• Write down one thing you can do to better encourage your parents.