New Curriculum Helps Parents Develop a Spiritual Foundation for Their Kids

Contact: Debbie Lykins, Side Door Communications, 847-458-1091, deb@sidedoorcom.net
 
LOVELAND, Colo., June 8 /Christian Newswire/ -- For years, parents have been encouraged to take an active role in their child's spiritual development, but oftentimes the primary responsibility falls on the shoulders of the church. In many cases, it's because parents don't know where to turn.

"Although many parents desire that their children develop spiritually, my experience shows that about 60 percent of parents aren't doing anything at home to help build their children's spiritual lives," says Christine Yount Jones, executive editor of Children's Ministry magazine. "I think this is because parents often lack confidence and don't have a place to go to learn."

As churches are looking for ways to equip parents to apply spiritual teaching in their everyday parenting, Group Publishing has developed small group curriculum for parents to meet that need. The curriculum is designed to give parents the tools they need to guide and encourage their children's spiritual growth.

Launching this fall, the curriculum is part of Group's FaithWeaver® line of resources, which includes classes for all ages and has been used in more than 25,000 churches. While parents attend their small group, their children attend classes designed for them. Everyone studies and discusses the same Bible point at an age-appropriate level.

"For example," says Yount Jones, "one week the children might learn how they can rely on God. At the same time, the parents are taught how to help their children rely on God. Parents learn how to do this in practical ways and share ideas with other parents in their group. Now they can go home and weave faith teaching into their children's lives throughout the week, focusing on this particular area."

Other Bible points that the fall small group curriculum will cover include selflessness versus selfishness, showing true kindness, and faithfulness. Group plans to introduce a new set of topics each quarter. Each meeting includes a lesson from the Bible on the point being presented, as well as discussion and application time.

Parents interested in joining a small group can ask their local church for additional information or visit faithweaver.com. Churches interested in ordering the materials for a small group can visit faithweaver.com or check out their local Christian bookstore. Materials will be available in June.