13 Ways You Can Equip Parents to Lead Their Children Spiritually

Here are 13 easy ways you can equip parents to lead their children spiritually at home right now.

Parents need simple, quick faith-builders that’ll make an impact on their children. So give parents the tools and the time to foster spirituality in their children’s lives by passing on these 13 easy methods that put Jesus in the forefront!

13 Ways You Can Equip Parents to Lead Their Children Spiritually

1. Get the Word Out

Any time you find a helpful article or idea, attach this note to a copy of it: “Thanks for sharing your child with us. We know the spiritual welfare of your child is very important to you. Attached are simple ideas you can use with your child at home. If we can help in any way, please let us know.” (You may need to contact the article’s publisher or author to get permission to reprint.)

2. Ask Me

Create stickers kids can wear home that say, “Ask me the point!” Encourage parents to ask their kids about the lessons, activities, and crafts they did during class.

3. Mealtime Prayers

Many parents race through fast-food windows to keep their kids’ bellies from grumbling on the go. So encourage parents to make a habit of thanking God for meals no matter where they’re eating—even in the car. Kids and parents can take turns saying a special prayer of thanks wherever they are.

4. Hello and Goodbye

Equip parents with a craft kit to make a cross. Have them hang the cross near their front door where it’s clearly visible. Then, as parents and children leave and enter their homes, they’ll be reminded to say a prayer of thanks for Jesus’ sacrifice.

5. The After-Church Report

Encourage families to begin a new after-church tradition. On the way home, family members will take turns telling one thing they learned at church that day, one thing they enjoyed, and one thing they didn’t understand or want to learn more about. This new tradition will help solidify lessons learned, give parents the opportunity to answer their kids’ questions, and give families a chance to find out what everyone is experiencing at church. (Consider using a curriculum like DIG IN or Simply Loved that keeps all ages learning the same Scripture and Bible point to equip parents to really keep faith growing at home!)

6. “Fortunate” Cookie Recipe

Give parents a simple, laminated recipe card for cookies they can make with their children. Attach a tube of icing to each card and then include this note: “Each time you make these cookies with your family, use the icing to write one thing you’re all thankful for on your cookies. Pray together, thanking God for his care and generosity.”

7. Prayer Package

Create a family devotion basket kids can take turns taking home each week. Collect or write enough family devotions for families to do one or two daily for a week. Alternate the devotions when every child has taken home the basket, and include seasonal and holiday devotions when possible. You can check out the Friends With God Devotions for Kids from Group for 54 devotions to give kids a glimpse of who God is!

8. Good News

Design a take-home newsletter each week for kids to share with their families. Include a review of the lessons you’ve taught, extension activities for families, and resources for faith-building.

9. One Book, One Church

Start a reading project in your children’s ministry. Have your volunteers and ministers select a book monthly for all the families in your ministry to read at the same time. Then bring the families together in discussion groups, online chat rooms, or special presentations by the book’s author. (See further details below.)

10. The Greatest Gift

Give each family in your ministry a family-friendly Bible and a yearlong calendar plan to read different selections from their Bible. A great Bible that includes devotions, fun facts, and other activities is the Hands-On Bible (Group). You can also check out the Friends With God Story Bible to go along with the Friends With God Devotions for Kids, and even get them together as a set!

11. Make a Point

Publish a weekly “Lesson Point” in your church bulletin that explains what kids are learning in your children’s ministry. Encourage parents to discuss the point with their kids.

12. Extend the Lesson

Go high-tech and create an online page where parents can access “Lesson Extenders” to use during the week that help drive home your classroom lesson and give families opportunities to learn together.

13. Family Book Clubs

Monthly reading clubs such as a “One Book, One Church” program are a great way to equip parents and spice up your children’s ministry. You may want to select several books so kids of all ages can participate. Here are tips to get you started.

• Volunteers’ Choice Volunteers vote on a selection of books each month, or the “volunteer of the month” gets to select the book.
• Kids’ Choice Each month, kids cast their vote on the book they want to read. You can alternate this with “Parent’s Choice,” “Sister’s Choice,” and “Brother’s Choice” months.
• Best Sellers Choose the book based on the bestsellers list: New York Times Bestsellers List
• Classics Have people nominate their all-time favorite book (or series) in one sentence. Then choose one of those books each month.

There are tons of wonderful Christian books for families. Our recommended books offer strong biblical lessons and wonderful writing. They also reinforce Christian beliefs. But keep in mind that many secular books also offer strong moral messages that can easily be incorporated into your lessons. You may be surprised by the way families make their own biblical connections to secular stories, so don’t shy away from choosing mainstream books—just carefully screen each book beforehand.

Publicize the book club throughout your congregation. Emphasize that it’s open to everyone, not just those with children. Bookworms are everywhere, and some of your seniors and singles may want to get involved as discussion-group leaders and organizers—so publicize in your bulletin, newsletters, on posters, and from the pulpit.

For more resources to share with families, check out Group’s Notes From Jesus for Families: What Jesus Wants Your Family to Know. This fun, meaningful, and brand-new book is designed for kids and families to experience together as they grow closer to each other and to Jesus. For even more ideas for families, check out these articles!

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