In part 3, we get to the fun part: how is Berean’s Family Ministry practically trying to partner with the home through a Family-Equipping Model?
Our heart is to bring maximum impact on the lives of the younger generation by bringing both the influences of the family and the church together in partnership.
Parents are the ones that take the lead, and we as a church support, encourage, equip, and serve as a second voice. These two influences working together will have a greater impact than two influences working separately.
At Berean, we want to tackle this partnership from both a programming and a non-programming aspect.
From a programming standpoint, we want to be sure that everything we do places parents in a position to effectively and practically take the lead while backing up, supplementing, and reinforcing what has been taught. How do we do this?
Berean Kids
In Berean Kids, we work hard to make sure that our weekend programming is not a one-stop-shop that stands alone. We start by sending out our “Parent Prep” email each week. In this email, the following week’s lesson is clearly explained from the main points, the Christ connection, and the application. This gives parents the opportunity to know what will be taught, and to take the reigns with introducing it to their children during the week. This prep email also provides a family devotion that can be used during the week to introduce this lesson. Family devotion resources have also been recommended (and offered for sale) and are highlighted on how they can be appropriately used during the week. So instead of teaching a lesson and then providing some follow-up questions for the ride home, we have resourced parents with the lesson ahead of time and equipped them to take the lead in teaching it to their child. Then on the weekend, we are able to teach the same lesson through our programming, but in a different way then the parents. We are able to bring video, music, large and small group interactions, and even a craft to help kids grasp the truth being taught. This is placing the home and the church in partnership together.
Our Wednesday night programming is also seeking to partner with parents. Currently, we provide Team Kid on Wednesday nights for kids age four through third grade that helps kids to memorize God’s Word. Parents are given resources to walk their children through this journey and take the lead in the process at home during the week. On Wednesday nights, kids come together with loving adults who help in the memorization process as well as help kids better understand and celebrate what they have learned.
Berean Youth
Berean Youth, our ministry to grades 6-12 offers BY Essentials on Sunday mornings where students dig into the Bible and learn the Essentials of the faith. This is a great place for students ready to grow as a believer. BY UNITE is our weekly Wednesday night youth program where students unite as one group for a time of worship, a Biblical message and a relational small group time. This is a great starting point for new students. We've also created BY Lead, our youth leadership program where students learn how to be a Biblical servant-leader while growing in their faith. This is a great place for students ready to put their faith into action. Through videos, emails, text messaging, and social media, we are seeking to keep parents informed and keep the connection in place. We want parents to know what we are teaching on Sundays and Wednesdays, and help resource and equip them to take the lead.
Family Discipleship Plan
Outside of our weekly programs, we have developed our Family Discipleship Plan. This plan is simply a path that parents can follow to evangelize and disciple their children in their homes. It is comprised of seven milestones that parents can work toward with their children. It starts with Child Dedication and concludes with Life in Christ. Around each milestone, we have provided resources (books, articles, etc.) that we recommend to help challenge, encourage, and equip. Our blog and the resource center also help to provide a great deal of support for parents as they take the lead in the discipleship journey.
It’s easy to say that the church wants to partner with the home, but it is not always easy to do. As a church, we are committed to keeping our eyes focused on this vision and strategy, all for the sake of operating in a biblical manner and seeing kids and youth grow in their faith.
