We have a great Parent Toolbox Resource from our friend and this month’s M2P Podcast guest, Patti Pilkington Reed. Patti is the author of the book Face to Face: Smart Conversations with Yourself, Your Teenager, and Your Young Adult. Patti is graciously providing you and the parents in your church with a downloadable PDF reflection titled “Their Voice.” In this resource, Patti shares some thoughts and a few thought-provoking questions concerning the importance of affirming the voice of your kids as they grow and develop their own voice.
WHAT IS IT?
This month’s Parent Toolbox Resource is a downloadable PDF reflection titled “Their Voice” from author and leader Patti Pilkington Reed. This resource is based on her book Face to Face: Smart Conversations with Yourself, Your Teenager, and Your Young Adult. In this resource, Patti shares some thoughts and a few thought-provoking questions concerning the importance of affirming the voice of your kids as they grow and develop their own voice through their opinions, desires, passions, and thoughts. Parents often struggle to talk to and connect with their children, and this reflection offers practical ideas and encourages parents to consider what is happening both in them and in their kids. It’s a great tool that will help parents strengthen the bond they have with their children and potentially open helpful lines of communication.
HOW TO USE IT
Download the PDF reflection from Patti Pilkington Reed and post it on your website.
Email parents a copy of the resource and encourage them to set aside some time to read it, process the questions, and even share it with other parents.
Print copies of the resource for parents to grab at church.
Share a copy of the PDF download with your children’s ministry team and discuss it together.
Copy/ Paste this email into a browser and send it to parents.
Subject Line: Having Healthy Conversations
Dear Parents,
As you move through your daily life with your family, there are lots of conversations that happen along the way. Unfortunately, some of those conversations can turn into conflict and create distance between you and your child. Learning how to have healthy conversations and navigate conflict well is hard for everyone, and your child is hopefully developing the tools they need in this area of life. As their parent, you have the opportunity to lead them to the healthy thoughts and practices they will need as they deal with conflict in their lives.
This month’s Online Parenting Class will give you some practical suggestions on how to approach conflict and have healthy conversations in your family. We highlight a few verses in Ephesians 4 where Paul says, “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” We also want to equip you with a special Parent Toolbox Resource that will encourage you to focus on building solid relationships with your child so that you can have the conversations you need to have with them as they grow. This downloadable PDF reflection titled “Their Voice” shares some thoughts and a few thought-provoking questions concerning the importance of affirming the voice of your child as they grow and develop their own voice through their opinions, desires, passions, and thoughts. Imagine what having healthy conversations around conflict in your home would do for you and your family.
To watch this month’s video or download the Toolbox Resource, click on the links below.
You can do this! We are always here for you if you need us.
Cheering you on,
[ INSERT LEADER’S SIGNATURE HERE ]
EMAIL 2
Copy/ Paste this email into a browser and send it to parents.
Subject Line: Encouraging Healthy Conversations with Your Children
Dear Parents,
In today’s fast-paced, screen-filled world, our kids are increasingly reliant on technology for information and communication. As they move deeper and deeper into the digital space, they can lose the ability to engage in meaningful face-to-face conversations. As kids learn and grow, it’s so important for parents to help them develop the essential communication skills that they will need along their journey of life. They need to be able to have face-to-face conversations where they can build relationships, ask questions, and learn to share what is going on in their life. As a parent, you have the opportunity to model to your child what it looks like to communicate well and have healthy conversations that are grounded in faith.
We know all this can sound intimidating, but remember, you are not in this alone. We are here to walk alongside you, pray for you, encourage you, and even equip you with tools to help you live this out. If you haven’t checked out this month’s resources, we hope that you will. They can help you continue to grow in your own communication and lead your family in a healthy direction. Take a few minutes to watch our Online Parenting Class for some needed encouragement, or read this month’s blog article titled “Two Cans and a String – Building Strong Connections Through Conversation” for some ways you can practice connecting with your child through great conversations. Also, don’t forget to download the Parent Toolbox Resource that will give you a series of questions to work through as you seek to parent well. Each of these incredible resources was created to equip, encourage, and help you be the best parent you can be. You got this!
To watch this month’s video, download the Toolbox Resource, or read the Blog Article, click on the links below.
We are in this together! Let us know if there is ever anything we can do for you or your family.
Praying for you as you lead at home,
[INSERT LEADER’S SIGNATURE HERE]
M2P KIDS July Parent Video Script
One of the things that is difficult about parenting is the fact that there it feels like there is so much to pay attention to. As our kids get older and encounter more things, there is more that we have to teach them so that they can effectively navigate the world. At the same time, it feels like an entire generation is losing a skill that is vitally important, and that is the ability to simply have face-to-face conversations. They are learning to communicate with each other and with us through screens, devices, and apps, and all of this is being introduced to kids at earlier and earlier ages. They use and need devices in school and their friends get phones and learn how to communicate via text or some other social media. If we’re honest, we, as parents, can play into this trend because allowing our kids to use all of this technology sometimes makes life easier for us. But our kids need to learn that communication happens best when we can just talk … when we can have a conversation about what is going on, and we can deal with whatever issues are at hand.
Here are a few suggestions for you as you think through helping your kids learn how to have healthy conversations. And I want to frame these suggestions with this scripture: Ephesians 4, starting in verse 1: “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
First, model living a life of faith. Model doing what you can to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Now, you may wonder what this has to do with having conversations, and I would say it has a lot to do with it. When we, as adults, are grounded in our faith, and we are modeling what it looks like to authentically follow Jesus, it speaks volumes to our kids in every way. The picture of faith that our kids see in us has an impact on how they see their life and their faith. What we think, what we say, and how we act influences what they think, what they say, and how they act. If our kids can see us stepping into our conversations with a foundation of faith, they are more likely to do the same.
Next, model having healthy conversations. Let your kids see you talking to your spouse or your parents, or your siblings in healthy ways, especially when there is conflict or tension. If we hope to have good and healthy conversations with our kids, then they need to believe that we are capable of having good and healthy conversations, and that starts with what they see us do. If our kids know that we have issues with a family member or a friend and they hear us either talk bad about that person or lose it in a conversation with that person, they may shy away from talking to us because of what might happen. But, if our kids are used to seeing us doing what Paul says in Ephesians … “Being completely humble and gentle; being patient, and bearing with one another in love,” … then they’ll believe that’s how we’ll be in our conversations with them, even when there is conflict.
Finally, when it comes to having real conversations with your kids, resist the urge for most of your real conversations to be lectures or sermons. Sure, there are definitely times when we need to be firm and take the time to instruct our kids on certain things, but I would encourage you to make that the exception rather than the norm. Build a relationship with your kids that is based not on what you need to them to do or learn but on who they are and the connection you have. I once had someone tell me that we, as parents, need to learn how to talk about everything so we can talk about anything. We need to have a thousand small, maybe meaningless, conversations so that our kids will get used to talking to us. We need to care more about the connection we have with our kids than we are with the content we deliver to them. If we’re going to be able to have the kinds of conversations we want and need to have with our kids, we need to have the kind of relationship that can bear the weight of those conversations.
The last part of the scripture I shared from Ephesians says this: We need to “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” In our relationships and our conversations, particularly with our kids, we have the opportunity to build unity and bring peace. What would it look like in your home if the conversations you had didn’t bring division and angst but they brought unity and peace? My guess is that your home would be a more joyful place to live, and you would be more likely to have the conversations you want and need to have and build the relationships you want to build.
As a children’s ministry leader in 2024, the one area in which you are not lacking is somebody offering you an opinion on how to grow your ministry area or a tool to do “it” better. No matter your church’s size, location, or the amount of influence it wields in your community, there are literally hundreds of companies, non-profits, para-church organizations, conferences, podcasts, Christian social media influencers, and large “successful” ministries out there who are trying to tell you exactly what you need to do to grow more, reach more, or look more like them. Hundreds of emails, videos, and expensive marketing campaigns are coming at you every day to pitch the next “must have” mission statement, vision, value system, or strategy for where your ministry needs to go. When did “the main thing” stop being the main thing? When did discipleship become so complicated? Slick and beautifully produced missions, visions, values, and strategies have their place. Many of them are even well-intentioned. But I think we can all likely agree that at the core of everything we do is a desire to help kids learn how to become disciples of Jesus.
Obviously, there are as many approaches TO discipleship as there are ministry contexts FOR discipleship, but ultimately, we have learned (maybe the hard way) that the Church trying to disciple kids in a silo isn’t conducive to long-term spiritual growth and maturity. The facts are the facts. How many more findings from research studies do we need before we acknowledge and act on the knowledge that parents are the single greatest influencers in the faith development of a kid? Equipping and encouraging parents to lean into their God-given role as lead discipler and partnering with them along the journey is no easy task, but it’s what we are called to do.
In order to grow their kids as disciples, parents need to develop a culture of discipleship in their homes. However, the simple truth of the matter is that a lot of parents are intimidated by the notion of being the primary spiritual leaders for their kids. As children’s ministry leaders, we have the opportunity to encourage them to embrace their role, and we can paint a picture of discipleship at home that is actually attainable. That’s why the focus of this month’s M2P resources is to help you and the parents in your church develop a bit of a different picture of what it means to disciple kids.
This month’s Coaching Video will give you some ideas and language to use as you and your volunteer teams are leading the parents in your church. It will also challenge you and get you thinking about how you are growing as a disciple yourself. We also have a great Parent Toolbox Resource for you to share with parents. It’s a downloadable chapter from First-Century Youth Ministry: A Look Back For The Way Forward In Youth Ministry Discipleship by Heather Quiroz. Don’t be fooled by the title; this Toolbox Resource will provide parents of non-teenagers with a lot to chew on when it comes to how we think about discipleship, and it also offers some steps we can take to reclaim some of the ancient practices Jesus used with His disciples that would serve us well. Be sure to also check out our in-depth conversation with Heather on the M2P Podcast. Our Online Parenting Classwill take the conversation on discipleship to parents and ask them to think about how they are leading their families in the faith. Parents are usually pretty good at helping their children learn how to navigate the world, but they might need to place a bigger focus on faith formation along the way. And don’t forget that we always provide you with some insightful Blog Articles and Social Media Posts for you to utilize with your ministry leaders and parents in your church.
Remember, parents and ministry leaders don’t have to have all the answers or be professors of theology. We simply need to be authentically walking with Jesus and invite our kids to do the same. That’s what discipleship looks like.
We’re thankful to be walking with you as you walk with the families in your church. Don’t forget we’re always here to help.
The M2P Team
WHAT IS IT?
This month’s Parent Toolbox Resource is a downloadable chapter from First-Century Youth Ministry: A Look Back For The Way Forward In Youth Ministry Discipleship by Heather Quiroz. Don’t be fooled by the title, this Toolbox Resource will provide parents of non-teenagers with a lot to chew on when it comes to how we think about discipleship, and it also offers some steps we can take to reclaim some of the ancient practices Jesus used with His disciples that would serve us well. This resource will challenge and encourage parents to slow down and take a look at how they are approaching discipleship. Everyone has a picture of what it means to attempt to disciple someone, and Heather’s book draws on a few ancient but simple practices Jesus used with His disciples that may help parents see discipleship at home with their kids differently. If you, your volunteer team, or the parents in your ministry would like to have access to more of the book, we encourage everyone to purchase a copy and dive in deeper. Learn more about Heather’s organization and the book at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com.
HOW TO USE IT
Download the chapter and post it on your website.
Email parents a copy of the PDF download or print copies of the chapter for parents to grab at church.
Share a copy of the PDF download with your children’s ministry team and discuss it together.
This month’s Coaching Video dives into the idea of slowing down in ministry and rethinking how we approach discipleship. We talk about a video called Godspeed: The Pace of Being Known and a book called First-Century Youth Ministry: A Look Back For The Way Forward In Youth Ministry Discipleship by Heather Quiroz. The book is all about taking a step back and considering ancient Jewish practices to guide our modern-day interactions. The coaching video suggests practical ways to encourage parents to embrace a slower, more intentional lifestyle, like promoting Sabbath rest and minimizing digital distractions. Life is not just about learning how to be efficient and get things done, but it’s about fostering genuine connections and conversations within families. There is no doubt that by learning how to slow down and refocus, we can lead families to a richer, more authentic experience of life and faith.
Our latest Online Parenting Class emphasizes the critical role parents play in the nurturing of spiritual growth and development in their kids. It stresses the fact that parents are the primary spiritual leaders for their kids, and discipleship happens most effectively in the home. Parents need to actively engage in their own spiritual growth and model having an authentic faith for their children, not merely delegate this responsibility to the “professionals” at church. In the class, we talk about a great book called First-Century Youth Ministry: A Look Back For The Way Forward In Youth Ministry Discipleship by Heather Quiroz, and we highlight the importance of modeling authentic faith and integrating spirituality into daily life. Parents are encouraged to prioritize quality time and genuine community centered on faith rather than falling prey to the many distractions that often erode true connections. Ultimately, parents have the opportunity to walk with Jesus themselves and then invite their children to join them on this journey. This is what discipleship looks like.
This month’s Coaching Video dives into the idea of slowing down in ministry and rethinking how we approach discipleship. We talk about a video called Godspeed: The Pace of Being Known, which paints a great picture of what it looks like to see people and put our value not just on the programming we can create, but on the relationships we build.
We also highlight a book called First-Century Youth Ministry: A Look Back For The Way Forward In Youth Ministry Discipleship by Heather Quiroz. The book is all about taking a step back and considering ancient Jewish practices to guide our modern-day interactions. We live in a crazy, fast-paced world, and the families in our church are stuck on the hamster wheel of life. What would happen if we could model and encourage a different mindset?
The coaching video suggests practical ways to encourage parents to embrace a slower, more intentional lifestyle, like promoting Sabbath rest and minimizing digital distractions. Life is not just about learning how to be efficient and get things done, but it’s about fostering genuine connections and conversations within families. There is no doubt that by learning how to slow down and refocus, we can lead families to a richer, more authentic experience of life and faith.
This is true for us both as children’s ministry leaders and for the families we lead in our church. In this slower pace is where true discipleship happens.
Click the image above to watch the video or click HERE!
This month’s Parent Toolbox Resource is a downloadable chapter from First-Century Youth Ministry: A Look Back For The Way Forward In Youth Ministry Discipleship by Heather Quiroz. Don’t be fooled by the title; this Toolbox Resource will provide parents of non-teenagers with a lot to chew on when it comes to how we think about discipleship, and it also offers some steps we can take to reclaim some of the ancient practices Jesus used with His disciples that would serve us well. This resource will challenge and encourage parents to slow down and take a look at how they are approaching discipleship. Everyone has a picture of what it means to attempt to disciple someone, and Heather’s book draws on a few ancient but simple practices Jesus used with His disciples that may help parents see discipleship at home with their kids differently. If you, your volunteer team, or the parents in your ministry would like to have access to more of the book, we encourage everyone to purchase a copy and dive in deeper. Learn more about Heather’s organization and the book at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com.
HOW TO USE IT
Download the chapter and post it on your website.
Email parents a copy of the PDF download or print copies of the chapter for parents to grab at church.
Share a copy of the PDF download with your children’s ministry team and discuss it together.
Copy/ Paste this email into a browser and send it to parents.
Subject Line: Embracing a Different Kind of Discipleship
Dear Parents,
We all know that leading and guiding kids can be hard, and there always seems to be a lot to focus on. Not only do you have to keep everything running in your house, but you also have to teach your kids so many practical things as they progress in their journey of life. What often gets crowded out are the important lessons of faith that will lead your child to be a true disciple of Jesus. Just getting through the days can be overwhelming, so finding time to focus on the bigger issues of life seems impossible.
This month, we hope to help you have a different picture of discipleship and maybe make things a little easier for you as you lead. Discipleship doesn’t have to be an intimidating process, and we hope the resources we are providing will help you step into some simple things that will help both you and your kids. We have a great Online Parenting Class that will get your mind thinking in a different direction. Our Parent Toolbox Resource this month is a free chapter from a book called First-Century Youth Ministry: A Look Back For The Way Forward In Youth Ministry Discipleship, where author Heather Quiroz encourages us all to learn from the norms and practices of the first century and learn to value some different things. Don’t be fooled by the title; this resource will provide you as the parent of a non-teenager with a lot to chew on when it comes to how we think about discipleship, and it also offers some steps we can take to reclaim some of the ancient practices Jesus used with His disciples that would serve us well. Take a moment to download it and give it a read. Our goal is to help you make discipleship a normal and natural part of life at home. Let us know how we can help.
To watch this month’s video or download the Toolbox Resource, click on the links below.
Copy/ Paste this email into a browser and send it to parents.
Subject Line: Walk with Me as I Walk with Jesus
Dear Parents,
When you think about your faith and how you are growing as a believer, can you picture being on a walk? Not a walk where you are all alone, but a walk where you are side by side with the creator of the universe. Picture a walk where you are being guided, learning, seeing new things, and understanding more and more about the world and yourself. Think of being on a walk with Jesus. Being a disciple is much like this kind of a walk. Jesus invites us all to follow Him as we move through the world, and it is comforting to know that we can follow a God who is a worthy leader.
As a parent, you have the opportunity to take your kids on a walk, too. You can invite them to walk with you as you walk with Jesus. That’s discipleship! It doesn’t have to be difficult. You don’t have to have all the answers to all the questions or know all the ins and outs of theology. You just need to walk with Jesus and invite your kids to be on the same journey.
This month, we have a lot of great resources that can help you embrace this mindset and practice a different type of discipleship in your family. Don’t forget to check out the Parent Toolbox Resource this month, which is a free chapter from a book called First-Century Youth Ministry: A Look Back For The Way Forward In Youth Ministry Discipleship, where author Heather Quiroz encourages us all to learn from the norms and practices of the first century and learn to value some different things. This month, we also want to provide you with an article titled Along The Way: Everyday Discipleship that will remind you that the Lord designed the family to be the primary place where faith is passed on through regular, simple, everyday moments lived together. And it’s in “along the way” places where we put our faith into practice. If you haven’t yet watched our Online Parenting Class, we would encourage you to do so as you think through this important topic.
We are in this together! Let us know if there is ever anything we can do for you or your family.
Praying for you as you lead at home,
[INSERT LEADER’S SIGNATURE HERE]
M2P KIDS June Parent Video Script
As parents, we all have to embrace the responsibility of nurturing, guiding, and teaching our kids. Like you, ever since my kids entered the world, I’ve been keenly aware of the need to provide them with a solid foundation for growth and development. If I were to describe my role into one word, it would be that of a leader tasked with helping my kids become the people they are meant to be in the eyes of God.
Now, as we talk about parental duties in the church, there is one thing that often arises, and it’s the reality that you and I are the primary spiritual leaders and faith developers of our kids. We are responsible for their discipleship. If faith holds any significance in our lives and fostering a genuine relationship with God is a priority for our family, then it becomes really important to not only lead our kids but also to disciple them. This involves more than just exposing them to religious teachings or sporadic church attendance; it means that we have to take steps toward creating an environment in our home that is conducive to spiritual growth and development.
One critical piece of this is the idea that if we want our kids to be growing as disciples we, as parents, must also be growing as disciples ourselves. It is incumbent upon us to embody the principles of discipleship, showing our kids a tangible example of what a mature faith looks like. While we can’t be perfect (no one can) … we can try to lead by example and foster an atmosphere of discipleship within our homes.
Over my three decades of experience in family ministry and over twenty years of being a parent, I’ve observed a tendency that parents have to inadvertently hand over the spiritual development of their kids to the church. We do this for a lot of reasons. We don’t feel like we have all the answers. We’re not educated enough in theology or doctrine. We’re not living the life of faith we want to live, and we’re scared our kids are going to sniff it out. So, it’s just easier and maybe better if we leave the spiritual development to someone else … to one of the “professionals.” While I deeply value the influence of church leaders and programs, I recognize that my role as the primary influencer in my kids’ spiritual journey is not something that I can give away.
So, what does it mean to embrace this role? How do we go about discipling our kids? Contrary to what you might expect, it’s really not as daunting as it appears.
Heather Quiroz is a friend, ministry leader, and author who wrote a book called “First Century Youth Ministry. “In her book, she talks about the manner in which Jesus led and instructed his disciples. One of the central parts of what Jesus did was live in community. Jesus modeled what it looked like to allow obedience to the Father to permeate every aspect of life. We tend to compartmentalize our faith and make sure it fits within our busy schedules. But what if we took a cue from the Jewish culture of the first century and we worked to integrate our lives fully into a relationship with God?
When it comes to discipling our kids, quality of time matters. Not just a time where we all live in the same house and we all work to be successful and get things done. We need genuine community where we are fully engaged with one another and we build shared experiences that are centered on faith. As parents, we have to be willing to set aside all of the distractions that can easily grab our attention, and we have to prioritize our children’s spiritual well-being. We have to lead them towards a deeper understanding of God.
Here’s the good news … like other than the gospel good news … but related …
This journey of discipleship is not about having all the answers or, controlling behavior, or creating an illusion of perfection. Instead, it really revolves around fostering authentic community and prioritizing a life lived in alignment with God’s will. This all requires effort and sacrifice, but I promise you, the rewards far outweigh the challenges.
So, if I had to boil it down for you, I would say this: If you want to help your kids become disciples of Jesus, then walk with Jesus yourself and invite your kids to walk with you. Maybe simplify it a little, slow it all down, and value relationships and community. Walk with Jesus and invite your kids to walk with you as you walk with Him. If you simply do that, you’ll be laying the foundation for a journey of faith that will shape their lives for years to come.
As children’s ministry leaders or parents (or in many cases, both), the seemingly endless hustle and bustle of “doing ministry” or “parenting” often casts a tyrannical shadow over the simple truth that at its core, the essence of both ministry and parenting lies in embodying the love, care, and compassion of Jesus Christ to our kids. As a children’s ministry leader, true success isn’t found in the number of events we schedule or the size of the ministries we lead but in the relationships we build and the faith we foster. As a parent, success isn’t defined by our behavior modification, good grades, packed calendars, and praises for our kids’ talents or athletic abilities. The true marks of success in parenting are found in making memories, building healthy relationships, passing along core values/healthy boundaries, savoring every day, and raising up mentally/emotionally/relationally/spiritually healthy kids who know who they are and whose they are. Ultimately, the goal of what we do as children’s ministry leaders and parents is to help our kids grow up while at the same time growing closer to Jesus, and we need to keep that in mind as we attempt not to get sucked in by the hustle and bustle.
Jesus prioritized relationships and individual needs over structures, rituals, and busyness. He referred to Himself as a shepherd caring for His sheep. Throughout Scripture, Jesus demonstrated His love and care for people through His personal interactions, healing touch, and unconditional love of all. As children’s ministry leaders, our primary mission is to follow Christ’s example by offering genuine care and support to those we serve. This means listening with empathy, offering comfort in times of struggle, and walking alongside individuals in their journeys of faith. Ultimately, it’s through authentic connections and acts of compassion that we truly reflect the heart of God and bring about transformative change in the lives of others.
This month, we want to provide you with a lot of great resources to help you challenge and equip the kids, parents, and volunteers within your span of care to step out of the hustle and bustle and be more intentional when it comes to caring for others in their lives. This month’s Coaching Video will challenge you and those who lead with you with some thoughts on care being the new attractional in ministry. But care goes much further than simply providing direction or physical needs. It starts with the heart and seeks to meet emotional and spiritual needs. That’s why this month’s Online Parenting Class will challenge parents to think through how they are caring for their kids. Kids need parents who genuinely care for them and who are more focused on helping them grow and develop than on helping them succeed in the world. This month’s Parent Toolbox Resource is a list of practical ideas that will help parents step into caring for their children in a deeper way. There are easy things that parents can do that will both incline their hearts to care for their children in a different way and demonstrate that care in everyday life. And don’t forget that we always arm you with incredible Blog Articles and Social Media Posts to reinforce some central concepts like: ways we can care for ourselves, ways we can care for our kids, stepping back from the busyness of life, learning to rely on God as our Good Shepherd, and how learning to be cared for puts us in a much better position to care for the people in our lives. Finally, in Episode 079 of the M2P Podcast, we have a conversation at the D6 Conference with author, speaker, and disciple-maker Marianne Howard about her new book Rest: Overcoming Spiritual Fatigue and how we can all learn to step into experiencing the rest that God offers and that we so desperately need.
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” – Mark 11:28-30 (ESV)
The M2P Team
WHAT IS IT?
This month’s Toolbox Resource for parents is a list of simple yet practical things they can do to care for their kids in a deeper way. Due to the hustle and bustle of life, parents can easily fall into the trap of believing that care equals providing for their children’s physical needs and worldly desires. On one level, that’s true. But true care actually occurs when parents pay attention to the mental, emotional, and spiritual needs of their kids and parents stepping into meeting these needs on a regular basis.
HOW TO USE IT
Download the resource and post it on your website or share it on social media.
Email parents a link to download the Toolbox Resource.
Print the Toolbox Resource and have it available at church for parents to pick up.
When you think about what people in your church are in need of the most, what comes to mind? For those of you who just internally or externally shouted, “They need Jesus,” we see you, and you’re not wrong. But Divine intervention aside, there are a lot of things that could make it onto that list. People need information, ideas, support, more time, and a myriad of other things. Not to tell you something you already know, but there is a lot going on in the world and in people’s lives, and we all need help. One of the best ways we can help people as they navigate life today is to care for them in a real way. We intuitively know this, and, for some of us, this is what we want to do. But, because of the unrelenting pace of life and ministry, we often don’t slow down enough to care for people in a real, deep way. As children’s ministry leaders, we may need to shift the way we think and consider making tangible changes in the way we lead. Maybe we need to focus a little less on programs and events and more on people and situations. Maybe we need to stop saying yes to so many things and be highly intentional about creating some margin to care for people well. If we narrow our focus to parents, we have to recognize that they need care on so many levels because of all the issues they and their kids are dealing with. Not only do many of the parents in your church and community struggle to know how to engage in good and healthy conversations with their kids, but they often don’t slow down enough to pay attention to what is happening to both them and their families. Some things we can do as children’s ministry leaders are to take the time to pay attention to the parents around us, get to know them, and be intentional with creating opportunities to engage in open conversations with them. It’s through these intentional actions and offerings of our most coveted things (our time and our attention) that we can begin to know what is happening emotionally, relationally, and spiritually with the parents and the families around us. Once we have a better understanding of these parents and their felt needs, we can better care for them like the shepherds we are called to be.
In this month’s Coaching Video, we want to offer you and your team some thoughts about how you can increase your focus on caring for the kids, parents, and families in your church. Providing care should be a centerpiece of what we do as shepherds, not an afterthought that gets attention after the program planning has occurred.
In this month’s online parenting classes, we encourage parents to think more deeply about the ways they care for their kids, which go beyond just meeting their practical needs. We spend a little time looking at Jesus as the Good Shepherd (John 10:11), and we encourage parents to see themselves as a shepherd to their children, willing to sacrifice and truly know them on a deep level. It’s so important for parents to build a strong relationship with their kids, working to protect them while also giving them room to grow and mature. As shepherds, parents have the opportunity to provide not just actual food but also spiritual nourishment for their children and point them to a real relationship with God. As parents shepherd their kids, they will need to embrace their imperfections and rely on the grace and care of Jesus for themselves as they navigate the complexities of parenting in today’s world. Tending to sheep is hard, but they need it more than we know. As parents lead and guide them, they need to be led and guided themselves by the Good Shepherd who loves us all more than we can imagine.
When you think about what people in your church are in need of the most, what comes to mind? For those of you who just internally or externally shouted, “They need Jesus,” we see you, and you’re not wrong. But Divine intervention aside, there are a lot of things that could make it onto that list. People need information, ideas, support, more time, and a myriad of other things. Not to tell you something you already know, but there is a lot going on in the world and in people’s lives, and we all need help. One of the best ways we can help people as they navigate life today is to care for them in a real way. We intuitively know this, and, for some of us, this is what we want to do. But, because of the unrelenting pace of life and ministry, we often don’t slow down enough to care for people in a real, deep way. As children’s ministry leaders, we may need to shift the way we think and consider making tangible changes in the way we lead. Maybe we need to focus a little less on programs and events and more on people and situations. Maybe we need to stop saying yes to so many things and be highly intentional about creating some margin to care for people well.
If we narrow our focus to parents, we have to recognize that they need care on so many levels because of all the issues they and their kids are dealing with. Not only do many of the parents in your church and community struggle to know how to engage in good and healthy conversations with their kids, but they often don’t slow down enough to pay attention to what is happening to both them and their families. Some things we can do as children’s ministry leaders are to take the time to pay attention to the parents around us, get to know them, and be intentional with creating opportunities to engage in open conversations with them. It’s through these intentional actions and offerings of our most coveted things (our time and our attention) that we can begin to know what is happening emotionally, relationally, and spiritually with the parents and the families around us. Once we have a better understanding of these parents and their felt needs, we can better care for them like the shepherds we are called to be.
In this month’s Coaching Video, we want to offer you and your team some thoughts about how you can increase your focus on caring for the kids, parents, and families in your church. Providing care should be a centerpiece of what we do as shepherds, not an afterthought that gets attention after the program planning has occurred.
Click the image above to watch the video or click HERE!
This month’s Toolbox Resource for parents is a list of simple yet practical things they can do to care for their kids in a deeper way. Due to the hustle and bustle of life, parents can easily fall into the trap of believing that care equals providing for their children’s physical needs and worldly desires. On one level, that’s true. But true care actually occurs when parents pay attention to the mental, emotional, and spiritual needs of their kids and parents stepping into meeting these needs on a regular basis.
HOW TO USE IT
Download the resource and post it on your website or share it on social media.
Email parents a link to download the Toolbox Resource.
Print the Toolbox Resource and have it available at church for parents to pick up.
Copy/ Paste this email into a browser and send it to parents.
Subject Line: Caring for Your Kids
Dear Friends,
There are lots of different roles that you play as a parent. You are sometimes a chauffeur, sometimes a cook, sometimes a personal assistant, and always a guide. Your kids need a lot from you, and there is always something to be paying attention to. Because of the pace of life, you might miss doing the thing your child likely needs the most. You might not care for them in the way they need it.
At this point, you are likely saying, ‘What are you talking about? I care for my child deeply!” That’s true, but lots of parents mistake guidance for care, and they are not the same. Your child very much needs you to provide for their needs and point them in the right direction when it comes to a variety of different issues and circumstances. But possibly more than that, they need you to care for them on a deep, personal level. They need to feel that care and know that you want to lead them in more than a functional way. To use a biblical metaphor, think of yourself as a shepherd. Look at your shepherding in more than just a practical sense where you want to keep your sheep safe. Think through how you can really care for your kids, understanding more about them and their world, what they are experiencing, and what they need. If you do, you’ll have a stronger relationship with them, and they will be better equipped to handle the world because they know you care.
This month, we want to encourage you to take your care to a different level. The care that we are talking about goes much further than simply providing direction or meeting physical needs. It starts with the heart and seeks to meet your child’s emotional and spiritual needs. To help you think through this idea of care and help you live it out at home, check out this month’s Online Parenting Class and Parent Toolbox Resource. They will provide you with some insight, wisdom, and a list of practical ideas that will help you step into caring for your child in a deeper way. There are easy yet practical things that you can do that will incline your heart to care for your children in a different way and demonstrate that care in everyday life.
To watch this month’s video or download the Toolbox Resource, click on the links below.
You can do this! We are always here for you if you need us.
Cheering you on,
[ INSERT LEADER’S SIGNATURE HERE ]
EMAIL 2
Copy/ Paste this email into a browser and send it to parents.
Subject Line: Shepherding Your Kids
Dear Parents,
When it comes to parenting your kids, where do you put your focus? Are you fixated on helping them learn all the right information so they can be “successful” in life (whatever that means)? Are you intent on getting them onto the right team or into the right class or attached to the right group of friends so they can excel in the world? None of these things are inherently bad or wrong, but they might not be the best things for you to focus on. What if you decided to really focus on their heart and cared for them in a way that goes beyond the mechanics of life? What if your care for them led them to a place where they experienced life in a different way and felt a true sense of peace?
In Scripture, we are told that Jesus is our Good Shepherd. He cares for us, His sheep, in a personal and relational way. He reminds all of us that we, too, are to think like shepherds, caring for the sheep in our lives like God cares for us. Your child is a sheep in more ways than one and needs the care and guidance of a shepherd, not just the direction of a leader. We know all this can sound intimidating, but remember, you are not in this alone. We are here to walk alongside you, pray for you, encourage you, and even equip you with tools to help you live this out. If you haven’t checked out this month’s Online Parenting Class yet, we talk about what it would look like for you to think like a shepherd and provide your sheep with the things they really need to flourish in the world. In this month’s Parent Toolbox Resource, we offer some practical steps to care for your child in ways that will protect them, nourish them, and lead them in a way that will give them life. Lastly, we have an incredibly insightful blog article for you titled “Entrusted To Our Care” that we think will truly encourage you along the way.
To watch this month’s video, download the Toolbox Resource, or read the Blog Article, click on the links below.
We are in this together! Let us know if there is ever anything we can do for you or your family.
Praying for you as you lead at home,
[INSERT LEADER’S SIGNATURE HERE]
M2P KIDS May Parent Video Script Caring for Your Kids
One of the things I know about you as a parent is that you care for your kids. You care deeply for them. There is something about the parent-child bond that is so strong and something that wells up in you as a mom or a dad that you sometimes can’t even describe.
But today, I want to ask you to think about something. I know you care for your kids… emotionally and with all your heart. But how are you caring for your kids? How are you not just teaching them and guiding them and pointing them in the direction you think they should go, but how are you caring for them? This question takes me to an image from Scripture that you’ve probably heard before, where Jesus gives us a picture of what it looks like to care. In John 10:11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd.” Shepherds care for their sheep.
Now, we may not always look at our kids as cute little cuddly sheep, but maybe we should. When it comes to how we care for our kids, maybe we should take on the character of a shepherd and have that mentality. I’ve heard it said recently that lots of parents have begun to see themselves as their kids’ agent, negotiating deals and manipulating situations, making sure that their kids are well-positioned for the future and set up for success. If I’m honest, I can gravitate to a version of that sometimes. But what if we saw ourselves not as our kids’ agent or guide or even their teacher? What if we saw our primary role as being our kids’ shepherd?
What would that look like? The second part of John 10:11 says, “The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” Jesus sacrificed for you and for me, so part of being a shepherd for our kids and caring for them involves sacrifice. You know this because you’ve been doing this for years. As parents, we have to sacrifice our wants, our needs, and sometimes, our dreams for what our lives can look like for our kids. This doesn’t mean catering to their every want and whim, but it does mean loving our kids in such a way that we deny ourselves in order to love and care for them.
John 10:14-15 says, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father…” Part of being a shepherd and truly caring for our kids is really knowing them. It’s having a relationship with them. I don’t mean just a functional relationship where things keep moving, and stuff gets done, but I mean a deep relationship where you know one another and you are truly doing life together. And this takes work! Building and maintaining a strong relationship with our kids is not always easy and how we need to do it will change in different seasons. Building that relationship may require us to sacrifice things we want to do or talk about and step into things our kids want to do and talk about. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to act like I was interested in something in order to step deeper into a relationship with one of my kids. But when I do that, I’m always glad I did.
When I think about some other things that shepherds do, one of the big things that comes to mind is they protect their sheep. I know for a lot of us, it’s easy to go into protection mode when it comes to our kids, but I would encourage you to really evaluate how you protect your kids and particularly think about the posture you take when you are protecting them. Yes, our little sheep need protection, but they also need to feel confident that they can grow up into big sheep. I wonder if the culture our world is creating around protecting our kids is actually scaring the sheep and making them wonder if they can or even want to grow up. Definitely protect your kids from the evil in the world, but also give them the space they need to learn and grow so that they don’t always need you to be an overprotective shepherd. Learn how to have conversations with your kids about what is going on in them and in the world so that they can grow and develop in a healthy way while under your care.
One more thing about shepherds. They nourish their sheep. Now, obviously, you’re going to feed your kids lots of stuff, but I want to talk about a different type of nourishment. Part of caring for your kids is learning how to nourish them spiritually. How are you helping your kids get the spiritual nourishment they need to grow in their trust in God and life with Him? I hope you aren’t hiring another shepherd to do that part of the care. I hope you aren’t relying on someone from church or, a family member or a friend to be the spiritual shepherd for your kids. God has given that role to you, so take some time to figure out how you can lead your kids spiritually because they need you. They need you to have honest conversations with them about life and faith. They need you to keep building the relationship that gives you the influence you need as you guide them along the way.
Here’s the last thing I want to say. I hope you know that other than Jesus, there is no perfect shepherd. In all of this, you’re going to make mistakes and get some things wrong, and you’re going to need to rely on your shepherd to care for you. Jesus laid down his life for you and offers the same grace, forgiveness, and care that you are offering your kids. Lean on that and when you think about the fact that you care for your kids, go deeper into HOW you are caring for them as they continue to grow and develop.
