As a leader “in the middle,” how can you cast your vision of family ministry upward? How can you share it with your supervisor? Elders? Pastor? Deacon board? In this video, Jeremy Lee, the founder of M2P, gives you practical tips on what to say and how to say it, so you’ll be equipped and ready to connect your vision of family ministry with the overall vision of your church.
Leadership: 3 Simple Ways Symbols Help You Lead Your Child Spiritually
EMAIL 1
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Subject Line: 3 Simple Ways to Lead Your Child Spiritually
Dear Parents,
God has made a child’s mind concrete in their thinking, which means that they need to see, hear, and touch something to understand it. So creating symbols that have spiritual meaning is a great way to lead your child spiritually. It sends important messages to their hearts about the things that matter most in life.
In our new parent video, we’re going to give you three simple examples of how you can use symbols around the house. To get started, click the link below.
https://vimeo.com/parentministry/review/579862271/8b41cebaf6
Thank you for the privilege of partnering with your family. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.
[INSERT LEADER’S SIGNATURE HERE]
EMAIL 2
Copy/ Paste this email into a browser and send it to parents.
Subject Line: Symbols
Dear Parents,
God is very active and present in your child’s life, and because He has made their minds concrete in their thinking, symbols become very important. When you teach abstract spiritual concepts to a child’s concrete-thinking mind, symbols, objects around the house become what they need to see, hear, and touch to understand.
In our new parent video, we give you three simple ways to use symbols around these messages:
To get started, click the link below.
https://vimeo.com/parentministry/review/579862271/8b41cebaf6
As always, I enjoy partnering with your family. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you,
[INSERT LEADER’S SIGNATURE HERE]
VIDEO
SOCIAL MEDIA SWAG
New Parent Video! Learn about three types of symbols you can give your child to help them see, learn, and understand what it looks like to follow God with your life. Check your inbox for more.
Our new parent video will spark some creativity as we share three different symbols you can share with your child to teach them about following God.
Symbols are one way to send important messages to our hearts. Today you can learn 3 simple ways to encourage your child spiritually. Check your inbox for more information.
Learn how to use symbols in your home to send important messages to your kids’ hearts. Check your inbox for more information on our new parent video…How To Create Memorials With Your Children.
VIDEO SCRIPT
Symbols send important messages to our hearts about the things that matter most in life. Today we’re going to give you some examples of how you can use symbols to encourage your child spiritually.
Baby pictures, family heirlooms, and old letters from a loved one are just a few of the powerful symbols I might find in your home. A symbol is an object that has a significant meaning attached to it. If you only had a few moments to collect the most precious possessions you can’t replace, you will likely gather the important symbols that remind you of the people and moments in your life that matter most.
Creating symbols that have spiritual meaning is a great way to lead your child spiritually. God has made their minds to be concrete in their thinking which means that they need to see, hear, and touch something to understand it. This fact makes using symbols very important when you are trying to teach abstract spiritual concepts to a child’s concrete thinking mind.
Here are three types of symbols you can give your child to help them see, learn, and understand what it looks like to follow God with your life.
A powerful message you can send to your child is when you share the ways you’ve noticed God has made them uniquely. The more we share these types of spiritual blessings with children, the more they are free to become more self-aware and appreciate God’s workmanship in their life. You can use a symbol to send that message. Here are a few examples: You can give your child a ceramic owl and tell them, “I believe God has made you to be wise. Every time you look at this owl, I want you to remember that God’s gifted you with wisdom.”
Another example would be you giving your child a piggy bank. Then you could say, “I’ve noticed that God has made you to be generous. This piggy bank is a symbol to remind you that this is unique and special, and God is going to use this gift of generosity to do great things for His Kingdom.”
Another type of symbol is…
2. Remember when…
These symbols help children remember the times they saw God do great things in their life. When they struggle with something, and God helps them through it, you can give them a symbol to remember it. When they face a great challenge and God gives them the courage to make it through, provide them with a symbol to remember it. When they have an intimate and personal experience with God, a symbol helps them remember it. Marking the moments where God was present and active in their life will help them grow their faith.
The final type of symbol is the prayer symbol…
3. My prayer for you…
It is so encouraging to know that someone is praying for us. One way you can send this message is through a symbol. You can give your child an object and say, “Every time you see this, I want you to remember that I’m praying for you.”
I hope that this video has sparked some creativity, and you’re beginning to come up with different types of symbols you can share with your child. Sending messages to them that God has made them uniquely, He’s present and active in their lives, and that people are praying for them will make a considerable impact and encourage them as they grow spiritually.
WHAT IS IT?
Advent for Families is a 4-week guide to help families prepare for Christmas. Each week covers:
HOW TO USE IT
This resource is designed to help you guide the families you serve as they celebrate the season of Advent together. Whether your church observes Advent regularly or it’s the first time you’ve introduced it, we hope the readings and ideas included are a valuable tool as you partner with parents to focus on His coming this Christmas.
Non-Event
Event
Advent Kickoff – Invite parents/grandparents and kids to an event before Advent.
Author’s Bio
Amy Diller began her career as an elementary teacher before moving into her current role of Co-Director of Children’s Ministry at Colonial Woods Missionary Church in Port Huron, MI. She is a life-long Michigander, wife to Jason, and mom to two college-aged daughters. Amy loves the smell of a new box of crayons, the feel of a book in her hands, and experiencing God’s Word through the eyes of kids. You can contact Amy Diller at amy@cwmc.church.
To download the PDF “Advent for Families”, click HERE.
To download an editable Word version, click HERE.
THIS MONTH’S PARTNER RESOURCE
WHAT IS IT?
How To Help Kids Embrace Gratitude (and look beyond themselves) is a 4-page PDF that includes stand-alone handouts on:
HOW DO I USE IT?
Carrie Bevell Partridge has a heart to see families grow in relationship with each other and with God the Father. She and her husband Kevin have been married for 23 years, and they have five children, two of whom they adopted from Colombia in 2016. Carrie is a writer who focuses on words of encouragement and support for marriage and family. Her column, “Growth Spurts: Growing Through Motherhood,” ran in Parents & Kids Magazine for a decade, and she continues to be a regular contributor to the publication. She is in the process of writing a book on seizing teachable moments with your kids in everyday life. You can join the “As You Are Going” Facebook group to both give and receive parenting encouragement, support, and practical tips.
Read more of Carrie’s work on fostering, marriage, and parenting at carriebevellpartridge.com, where parents can also subscribe to her emails.
To learn more about Carrie Partridge, click HERE.
Invite your parents to join the conversation on FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM.
TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF, CLICK THE PICTURE BELOW.
You have a new resource in your Toolbox from CarrieBevellPartridge.com!
Click on “Toolbox: Help Parents Lead” to download your 4-page PDF that includes:
This month kicks off Care for the Soul, the first stop on the M2P Roadmap.* We covered specific topics that aren’t usually discussed yet are hidden struggles for many families, such as a child’s body image. We also created Cue Cards, a tool to help parents learn how to foster their child’s heart.
For the leaders, we choose to dive into a personal subject for the podcast and blog…How to Heal From Church Hurt.
We are grateful for the privilege to partner with you in ministry. Blessing to you during this coming month. ~ The M2P Team
* To learn more about the M2P Roadmap, check out Elisabeth and Jeremy’s webinar on How to Build a Parent Ministry in 4 Steps HERE.
This 6-page PDF includes 15 Cue Cards for parents to use as an emotional check-in for their child. When God created children, He designed them to have a physical, spiritual, emotional, and mental component. Naturally, they can tend to the physical on the playground and in backyards. They can foster the spiritual through discipleship within the family and Church. But when it comes to caring for the emotional and mental piece, they need a place where they can learn how to understand their feelings and thoughts. This discovery process is critical to spiritual growth because God speaks to the heart of His people. And when children can understand their hearts, they are open and available to hear from God.
These cards are designed to encourage a child to name their emotions and speak their thoughts. Sometimes, this journey can be messy, so we invite parents to offer empathy and kindness as a first response.
HOW TO USE IT?
To download, click TOOLBOX.
We don’t have to tell you that leadership comes with a long to-do list, one that never seems to end. And if we get too tasked-focused, we can forget to connect with people relationally. In this brief coaching video, Elisabeth gives you two on-the-go changes that you can implement today to help create “natural” opportunities to connect with parents.
To download, click COACHING.
Body Image: 3 Ways to Set a Solid Foundation
To Download, click PARENT VIDEOS.
This month’s Partner Resource is from Carrie Partridge at carriebevellpartridge.com! She is giving you and your families a 4-page PDF on How to Help your Kids Embrace Gratitude and Look Beyond Themselves.
She and her husband Kevin have been married for 23 years, and they have five children, two of whom they adopted from Colombia in 2016. Carrie is a writer who focuses on words of encouragement and support for marriage and family.
Her column, “Growth Spurts: Growing Through Motherhood,” ran in Parents & Kids Magazine for a decade, and she continues to be a regular contributor to the publication. She is in the process of writing a book on seizing teachable moments with your kids in everyday life. You can join the “As You Are Going” Facebook group to both give and receive parenting encouragement, support, and practical tips.
Read more of Carrie’s work at carriebevellpartridge.com, where you can also subscribe to her emails. Connect with Carrie on Facebook and Instagram via @carriebevellpartridge.
Body Image: 3 Ways to Set a Solid Foundation About Body Image
EMAIL 1
Copy/ Paste this email in a browser and send to parents.
Subject Line: New Parent Video! Your Child’s Body Image Matters and What To Do About It
Dear Parents,
Even as adults, waking up and looking in the mirror can be a struggle. Sometimes we can be our own worst critics when it comes to body image and how we feel about the way we look. If that’s a challenge for us as adults, imagine what must be going through your older child’s mind.
We believe it’s possible to help build a solid foundation at this age, and parents are an essential component to doing so. Therefore, we want to equip you with how to set a solid foundation for your child’s body image in our new parent video. Here are three simple and easy tips you can do today!
To view the quick video, click the link below.
https://vimeo.com/parentministry/review/579862379/04d92308a3
Thank you for the privilege to partner with your family. If you have any questions or thoughts, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
[INSERT LEADER’S SIGNATURE HERE]
EMAIL 2
Copy/ Paste this email in a browser and send to parents.
Subject Line: 3 Ways to Set a Solid Foundation About Body Image
Dear Parents,
As children receive messages about body image from endless sources, we want to ensure they receive a positive, solid message from the most influential one of them all…their parents! In our quick and encouraging video, we give you three ways you can set a solid foundation for body image. They are so simple that you can start today!
To view the video, click the link below.
https://vimeo.com/parentministry/review/579862379/04d92308a3
We are thankful for the privilege to partner with you. If you have any questions or thoughts, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
[INSERT LEADER’S SIGNATURE HERE]
VIDEO
SOCIAL MEDIA SWAG
We have a new parent video for you! Sometimes we can be our own worst critics when it comes to body image and how we feel about the way we look. So we want to help you learn how to set a solid foundation on body image *early!* Check your inbox for more!
It’s that time! We have a new parent video for you that is encouraging and inspiring. Check your inbox for more.
Even as adults, waking up and looking in the mirror can be a struggle. So how can we set a solid foundation around body image with our children? In our new parent video, we give you three easy and practical ways. Check your inbox for more information!
Want to learn how to set a solid foundation around body image with your child? Check your inbox for more information on our new parent video… 3 Ways to Set a Solid Foundation About Body Image.
VIDEO SCRIPT
Even as adults, waking up and looking in the mirror can be a struggle. Sometimes we can be our own worst critics when it comes to body image and how we feel about the way we look. If that’s a challenge for us as adults, imagine what must be going through your older child’s mind. As their mind and body prepare to transition from childhood to young adulthood, it’s easy for your child to begin to feel negatively about their body.
Having a good body image helps kids feel confident. It adds to their self-esteem. Children with a poor body image don’t feel good about their bodies or looks. A poor body image can take away from a child’s self-image and can lower self-esteem.
This is incredibly stressful for parents who want nothing more than for their kids to love how they look and walk through the world feeling secure in their body image. So how can we as parents help our kids feel good about the way they look? In today’s video, we give you three tips on setting a solid foundation about body image.
First, tell them about their value. The Bible has a lot to say about our values. And that value can directly inform body image. Just listen to what the Scriptures say in Psalm 139:
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well!
The truth of God’s Word continues to speak positively of our value in Ephesians 2:10, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Second, focus on health. It’s easy to obsess over a scale or think in terms of being “fat” or “skinny,” but experts consistently encourage parents to focus on promoting health. Please don’t focus on how much your child weighs or how they look, but instead encourage them to be active daily and continue to practice a healthy diet. Help them understand that these are keys to living a healthy life. When this is the focus, children are free to develop habits without the stigma of manipulating the way they look.
Consider your body image….Like everything else we do in parenting, the most powerful way we can help our children in this area is to be willing to face it ourselves. Practicing a healthy body image and talk about how we’re doing that with our kids will help them see an example to follow. It doesn’t have to be a perfect example. In fact, it’s even better for you to share your authentic journey that includes mistakes and your response to the mistakes. This lets them know that they don’t have to be perfect to keep making progress.
Third, speak positive encouragement to them. When you are consistent with encouragement about how your child looks and how much you enjoy them, you set a foundation in their heart that what you’re saying is true. Children, by nature, believe what we say about them. This tool is powerful when it comes to our role in helping develop their body image.
For those who are families of faith, our values are established by God (including body image). In Genesis, it’s made clear…we were made in God’s image. So our body image can and should be founded in that truth. He made us, He loves us, and because of Him, we can walk confidently in this world, trusting that He created us to be “good” in every way.
Remember these three tips…tell them about their value, focus on health, and speak positive encouragement. Use them to start and continue a healthy conversation around body image to set a stage for what comes next in adolescence.
WHAT IS IT?
This 6-page PDF includes 15 Cue Cards for parents to use as an emotional check-in for their child. When God created children, He designed them to have a physical, spiritual, emotional, and mental component. Naturally, they can tend to the physical on the playground and in backyards. They can foster the spiritual through discipleship within the family and Church. But when it comes to caring for the emotional and mental piece, they need a place where they can learn how to understand their feelings and thoughts.
This discovery process is critical to spiritual growth because God speaks to the heart of His people. And when children can understand their hearts, they are open and available to hear from God.
These cards are designed to encourage a child to name their emotions and speak their thoughts. Sometimes, this journey can be messy, so we invite parents to offer empathy and kindness as a first response.
HOW TO USE IT?
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF “PARENT CUE CARDS.”
To download the 15 images via .ZIP file, click HERE.
To download an editable Word version, click HERE.
We don’t have to tell you that leadership comes with a long to-do list, one that never seems to end. And if we get too tasked-focused, we can forget to connect with people relationally. In this brief coaching video, Elisabeth gives you two on-the-go changes that you can implement today to help create “natural” opportunities to connect with parents.
You have a new resource in your Toolbox from Tony Bianco and Family Technology Plan!
Click on “Toolbox: Technology” to download a 9-page Family Technology Plan: *At-Home Kit* for your families!
