Category Archives: Uncategorized

4.1.24

Your April Resources Are Here!

When it comes to the overall development and spiritual maturity of the kids in our ministries, there are a lot of important factors that come into play. As children’s ministry leaders and equippers of parents, we often feel the pressure to try and teach them so many things within the finite amount of time that we have them in our midst (and so do their parents/guardians). Our kids need to know how the world works and how they can best navigate it. They need to master certain skills, understand important concepts/principles, and develop the tools they need to do more in this life than just “survive and advance.” There is so much to do. There is so much to say. There is so much to learn. And every day, it feels as if the sand is falling more and more quickly through the hourglass.

As all of this plays out, we need to be keenly aware that perhaps the most important part of what happens over the years is the formation and anchoring of identity. The kids who make up our ministries and the families we serve are being shaped through their experiences, relationships, influences, and the beliefs they hold onto. Their identity is formed and shaped along the way as they watch, listen, learn, and grow. As children, they are like sponges that are soaking everything in. As middle schoolers, they are like wet cement as they begin to question, doubt, and “try on many hats,” seeking to figure out who they are as they learn how to deal with life’s demands and problems. As high schoolers, the wet cement of differentiation has hardened as teenagers have had the opportunity to experience and explore identities and choose an identity with a high degree of commitment. In the end, our identity (and what that identity is anchored to) will define who we are, what we do, what we believe, who we surround ourselves with, and how we interact with the world around us (our worldview). How kids look at themselves and, more importantly, how they believe God looks at them will have a long-term impact on so much of their lives. This is a fact that is too great and too impactful to be ignored. As children’s ministry leaders, we need to do everything in our power to help our kids land on an identity that will sustain them over time (equipping and encouraging their parents/guardians to do likewise).

This month, we want to provide you with a lot of great resources to help you focus on how you are helping the kids in your span of care to recognize and anchor their identity in Jesus (and what God’s Word says about them) and equip you to help parents stay engaged in the identity formation of their children. This month’s Coaching Video will give you and those who lead with you some thoughts and ideas as you seek to teach an identity that is found and anchored in Jesus and give parents the encouragement and tools they need to point their kids in the right direction. Modeling matters in this area of life, and parents need to embrace their identity as a child of God as they seek to lead their children to believe the same. As they go through daily life, parents can remind their kids of who they are and whose they are. They can surround their children with other Godly influences, and they can pray for their kids to embrace their identity in Christ. This month’s Online Parenting Class covers all of these topics and give parents some practical steps to take. We’re really excited about this month’s Parent Toolbox Resource that gives you something that parents can easily use to encourage their kids in a practical way: a set of Lunchbox Notes that parents can download, print, and put in their child’s lunchbox or backpack. These notes point kids to Jesus and remind them that God is with them on their journey. This resource is designed to help parents take the lead in helping their children grow in their faith and develop their identity. And don’t forget that we always arm you with a great M2P Podcast and some incredible blog articles for you and for the parents you lead that will help to reinforce the importance of talking about identity and give everyone a few more ideas about how to approach the subject. Finally, our social media posts are yet another way to keep the conversation in front of parents and build on all the other resources you are providing them. This is an incredibly important topic and conversation, and we want to give you everything you need to help the families in your church believe that their identity is built on the firm foundation of Jesus.

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

– Galatians 2:20 ESV

The M2P Team

WHAT IS IT?

This month, we are providing you with a simple, effective, and practical resource to help parents encourage their kids during a time when their identity is being shaped, influenced, and challenged. Everyone needs encouragement as they seek to grow in their identity in Christ, and our kids especially are at a critical point in their journey of faith that requires a little extra attention and some positive nudges. So this month’s Toolbox Resource aims to help parents to do just that! This month’s resource is a collection of 30 Lunchbox Notes for them to print and put in their child’s lunchbox or sneak in a backpack. These notes point their kids to Jesus and remind them that God knows them, loves them, and is always with/for them.

HOW TO USE IT

Download the Lunchbox Notes resource and post it on your website or share it on social media.
Email parents a link where they can download the resource.
Make copies of the resource and have it available at church for parents to pick up.

To view or download, click HERE.

We all have a lot of things that we are trying to teach the kids in our church. We want to lead them into a deeper relationship with God, and that means helping them understand the Bible, talking about how to practically live out their faith, and answering their questions along the way. One of the biggest questions they are asking doesn’t directly revolve around theology or their understanding of all the nuances of Scripture. It actually hits a little closer to home. It revolves around who they are, how they see themselves, and what they believe about their identity.

As human beings, what we believe about our identity impacts every area of our lives. Our identity influences how we think and how we live, what we do, and what we say. Who we believe we are is really at the heart of the journey we are all on. This is especially true for kids who can easily get confused about their identity and begin to believe things about themselves that just aren’t true. They “try on” different identities based on the season, who they are around, or what voices are speaking into their lives. Our hope is to help them see that they are, first and foremost, a child of God and help them live from that reality.

In this month’s Coaching Video, we talk about how you can have conversations about identity with the kids in your church and their parents. There are things you can do and focus on that will help families develop a deeper understanding of how much God loves them and how He sees them. Helping kids and parents grow in their understanding of their identity in Christ is one of the main things we can do, and this month, we point you to ways you can be more effective at doing just that.

To view, click HERE.

One of the real joys of parenting is getting to watch kids grow and develop. Over the years, so many things change, and the once little people morph into bigger people who have thoughts, dreams, and ideas for the future. But we all know that, as they grow, they begin to have questions, doubts, and fears about the future. They settle into asking themselves the questions that kids and adolescents have asked for years: Who am I? Where do I fit? What’s my purpose? These three core questions all point to the journey we are all on as we seek to understand our identity.

This month’s Online Parenting Class encourage parents to do a few things. First, parents need to land on their own identity and learn to live from a place that is rooted in their relationship with God. Many parents struggle with their own identity as a follower of Jesus, so they have a hard time leading their children in that direction. This month, we are challenging parents to look at their own thoughts and beliefs and work on their own identity. Next, parents need to be talking to their kids about identity and paying attention to how they are growing and developing. Building a strong relationship with your children so you can have these important conversations is critical, and parents need more tools and ideas on how to make this happen. This month’s video will help them think about how to do that well.

To view, click HERE.

New blog posts coming this month:

For Kids’ Ministry Leaders: “Supporting Children’s Identity Development at Church” by Amy Diller
For Kids’ Ministry Parents: “Who Does God Say I Am?: Nurturing a Child’s Identity Development” by Amy Diller
For Youth Ministry Leaders: “Identity Crisis: Helping Parents Embrace Theirs” by Chris Sasser
For Youth Ministry Parents: Helping Your Teens Develop a Healthy Identity” by Chris Sasser

To view, click HERE.

Helping Parents Shape Identity

We all have a lot of things that we are trying to teach the kids that are a part of our church. We want to lead them into a deeper relationship with God, and that means helping them understand the Bible, talking about how to practically live out their faith, and answering their questions along the way. One of the biggest questions they are asking doesn’t directly revolve around theology or their understanding of all the nuances of scripture. It actually hits a little closer to home. It revolves around who they are, how they see themselves, and what they believe about their identity.

As human beings, what we believe about our identity impacts every area of our lives. Our identity influences how we think and how we live, what we do, and what we say. Who we believe we are is really at the heart of the journey we are all on. This is especially true for kids who can easily get confused about their identity and begin to believe things about themselves that just aren’t true. As they get older, they “try on” different identities based on the season, who they are around, or what voices are speaking into their lives. Our hope is to help them see that they are, first and foremost, a child of God and help them live from that reality.

In this month’s coaching video, we talk about some of the key scripture passages that speak to identity, and we focus on a few Godly characteristics to keep in front of kids as they begin to sort through who God has created them to be. We talk about how you can have conversations about identity with the kids in your church and their parents. There are things you can do and focus on that will help families develop a deeper understanding of how much God loves them and how He sees them. Helping kids, teens, and parents grow in their understanding of their identity in Christ is one of the main things we can do as a children’s ministry leader, and this month, we point you to ways you can be more effective at doing just that.

Click the image above to watch the video or click HERE!

Building What Matters In Our Kids

EMAIL 1

Copy/ Paste this email into a browser and send it to parents.

Subject Line: Identity Matters: Building What Matters in Our Kids

Dear Parents,

When it comes to the things you are trying to teach your kids, what rises to the top of your mind? We know you might be in the middle of helping them learn how to tie their shoes and do their homework, or maybe you’re still in the potty-training phase. There is so much that we want them to learn and understand, and it can be exhausting. In the grand scheme of life, there may be one thing they need to embrace that has the potential to lead the way in every area of their life. That’s their identity.

So many kids are struggling to figure out their identity as they grow up. They tend to move from one identity to another depending on what season they are in, who they are around, and what is influencing them. In reality, there is only one identity that can sustain them for the long haul, and that’s an identity that is rooted in their relationship with God. If they can land on believing that they are first and foremost a child of God and learn to live from that truth, life may not always be easy, but they will be able to face whatever comes their way.

This month, we want to give you some practical tools that will help you point your children to a true identity in Christ. There are things you can do as a parent that will point them away from the worldly identities that will tempt them and lead them to rest in who they are in God’s eyes. Take a few minutes to check out our Online Parenting Class and think through what else you can do to lead your kids to a deeper understanding of who they are. This month we also have a great Parent Toolbox Resource that will give you a practical way to remind your child in a practical way who they are in Christ. You can use these 30 Lunchbox Notes to encourage your child in their journey of life and faith and reinforce their true identity.

To watch this month’s video or download the Toolbox Resource, click on the links below.

[ INSERT LINK TO ONLINE PARENTING CLASS VIDEO ]

[ INSERT LINK TO TOOLBOX RESOURCE ]

Cheering you on!

[INSERT LEADER’S SIGNATURE HERE]

EMAIL 2

Copy/ Paste this email into a browser and send it to parents.

Subject Line: Identity Matters

Dear Parents,

When experts and researchers talk about what is happening in this generation, they always go back to one critical issue and conversation. Yes, things like technology and screen time are hot topics for sure, but the real issue underneath that conversation revolves around the building of identity. Our kids are being shaped and molded in so many ways, and they are struggling to figure out who they really are. Their peers, interactions at school, and so many parts of the world are pushing them to embrace lots of different identities. As followers of Jesus, we want to point them to the only identity that is worth living for and the one that will sustain them for life – an identity in Christ.

We want to help you point your children to Jesus and help them continue to build their identity as a child of God. Don’t forget that we have a great Parent Toolbox Resource this month that will give you a practical way to remind your child who they are in Christ. This month, we also want to provide you with an article titled “Who Does God Say I Am?” that will challenge you to think about how you see yourself as you seek to lead your family. If you haven’t yet watched our Online Parenting Class, we would encourage you to do so as you think through this important topic.

[ INSERT LINK TO M2P PARENTING BLOG ARTICLE ]

[ INSERT LINK TO M2P ONLINE PARENTING CLASS VIDEO ]

[ INSERT LINK TO TOOLBOX RESOURCE ]

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 April Parent Video Script
Guiding and Shaping Our Kids’ Identity

One of the joys of parenthood is watching our kids’ individual personalities emerge. In their very early days, we see hints of who these little people will be as they begin to explore the world around them. They take in all kinds of information to help them discover who they are apart from mom and dad. As parents, we are positioned by God to take an active role in influencing our children’s identity development. We have the incredible opportunity to guide them in discovering who they truly are in the eyes of God – created in His image, filled with a purpose, and perfectly loved by Him.

We are raising our kids in a world that wants them to believe that who they are is defined by their appearance, their possessions, and their accomplishments. This has been true in previous generations; however, the increased connection to all types of media constantly pushes these messages before our kids. Additionally, we fight an even bigger battle as God’s truth about gender and sexuality is challenged. Now, more than ever, we have to be diligent in teaching our kids what God says about who they are.

In Genesis 1:27, we read this life-giving truth, “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” This verse tells us that each person is uniquely created in the image of God, with inherent value and purpose – no mistakes and no confusion. Our kids need to learn that they were intentionally crafted by a loving Creator to reflect His character to the world around them.

Psalm 139 beautifully describes how intimately God knows each one of us. It says, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” This reminds us that God knows every detail of our children. They are fearfully and wonderfully made, and He has a plan for their lives.

1 John 3:1 declares, “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” Our identity as children of God is rooted in His unconditional love for us. This is the most important truth our kids can ever grasp – they are deeply loved by their Heavenly Father, no matter what.

So, how can we, as parents, help guide our children’s identity development in light of these truths? It starts with communication. We need to communicate consistently and often to our kids that they are safe and loved, just as they are. We can do this through our words, actions, and attitudes.

Affirm your kids by pointing out godly characteristics you see in their lives. When they demonstrate things like love, kindness, and compassion toward others, let them know. Teach them that these qualities come from the Lord to help show people what He’s like. When your children make mistakes or face challenges, reassure them that their worth isn’t based on their performance. You can remind them of God’s grace and forgiveness, reminding them that they are valued not because of what they do, but because of who they are in Christ.

You can also model healthy self-esteem and confidence that comes from Jesus by embracing your own identity as a child of God. As much as your kids are deeply loved and purposefully created by the Lord, so are you. Your worth is not tied to your appearance, job, possessions, or accomplishments. You were created by Him and for Him. When your kids see you living out your faith with authenticity and joy, it creates a powerful example for them to follow.

And finally, pray for and with your children regularly, asking God to reveal His unquestionable truth to them and to guide them as they learn who they are as part of His family. Ask Him to help them understand His abundant love as the One who knows them better than anyone else and desires for them to live fully as the unique individuals He created them to be.

Remind your children daily of God’s love and the purpose He has for their lives. Trust in His goodness and faithfulness as you intentionally walk alongside them to help lay a firm foundation of truth about who and whose they are.

3.1.24

Your March Resources Are Here!

During the month of March, while many in your life and ministry area are distracted with leprechauns, four-leaf clovers, pots of gold, parades, wearing green, spring break plans, or drawing up the perfect NCAA basketball bracket, your M2P team thought it to be the perfect time to shine a bright spotlight on a topic that causes more distraction and is growing to be the root cause of more issues (both inside and outside the home) than almost any other—Screens. As children’s ministry leaders, we know that there is a myriad of topics that need to be covered and conversations that need to be had as we seek to engage, equip, and encourage the families who fall under our span of care. However, there is no singular issue that feels more prevalent, pervasive, or poignant than that of how our kids are learning to navigate the minefield of technology, screens, and social media. This ever-changing digital landscape in which parents are trying to raise their kids can be complicated, frustrating, confusing, scary, and even incredibly dangerous. But one thing is certain: it’s not going away anytime soon. The constant innovation, proliferation, and saturation of technology in the lives of our kids is just one more reason why we must do whatever we can to reach out a hand in an effort to better lead and equip parents to navigate this digital space.

We have an incredible opportunity as ministry leaders to steer the conversation, lead, challenge, and equip the parents in our churches and communities to help their kids develop healthy perspectives and boundaries around screens, technology, and social media. This month’s M2P resources were designed to help you, the leaders who serve alongside you, and the parents in your ministry step into this conversation concerning how we all interact with screens. This month’s Online Parenting Class Video challenge parents to pay close attention to how their family is living in the digital world. There are decisions parents can make to lead their children in healthy directions, and the online class helps parents think through key questions that they need to answer. Our Coaching Video will provide you and your team with some practical things you can do to equip and encourage parents to engage. This month’s Parent Toolbox Resource is a video for parents from our friend Brian Housman from 360 Family, creator of Screen Smarts, and the author of Tech Savvy Parenting. This incredibly insightful video will give parents some great tips on how to deal with their kids when it comes to phone use, social media, and creating a healthy digital culture in your home. If you like this video, you can get videos just like this sent automatically to your parents each and every week through Screen Smarts. So, be sure to check that out! We have some insightful blo g articles for both you as a ministry leader and your team, as well as one specifically for the parents you lead. The articles for you will help you focus on a few things you can do to challenge parents in their family’s digital lifestyle. Episode 77 of the M2P Podcast features an in-depth conversation with Brian Housman, where we talk about the importance of helping our children develop a true identity in Christ in the midst of their digital journey. And as always, our social media posts will help you keep this conversation in front of parents and hopefully lead them into the conversations they need to be having at home. All of this is designed to support you as you lead and encourage parents and families in an important area of life!

Always here to help,

The M2P Team

WHAT IS IT?

This month’s Parent Toolbox Resource is a FREE Screen Smarts video for parents from our friend Brian Housman. Brian is an influential voice in helping ministry leaders and parents discern how to guide their kids to have a good perspective and healthy habits. He has traveled the world to teach and equip families since 1993 and currently serves as the Director of 360Family in Memphis, TN. Brian is also the founder of Screen Smarts, which is a revolutionary tool designed to help encourage and equip parents each and every week in just six minutes (You should go check that out! It’s an amazing tool that is fully automated, and you get it for LIFE!!). Brian is also a prolific writer for parenting magazines, most notably Parenting Teenagers, Homeschooling Today, and Parent Life. He has written four books, including Tech Savvy Parenting. Brian has been featured as a “parenting expert” (whatever that is) on more than sixty radio shows and TV programs, including FOX, ABC, and NBC affiliates.

We are incredibly grateful to Brian and Screen Smarts for partnering with M2P to provide you and the parents you minister to with a sample of one of his parent videos for free! This video can help parents develop a different perspective on how their kids are interacting with technology, devices, and social media. It will also give parents the opportunity to talk with their kids and teens about different issues surrounding this topic. When it comes to how our families are navigating the world of technology and social media, it is so important to keep the lines of communication open. This video will help parents do just that.

HOW TO USE IT

Download the video, share it with the parents in your church, and encourage parents to share it within their spheres of influence.
Email parents a link to watch the video.
Show the video in a parent class, gathering, or church service and facilitate conversation around the topic.

To view or download, click HERE.

When we listen to parents talk about issues they struggle with today, one of the things we hear the most revolves around the challenges they face as they try to figure out how to help their kids navigate screens and technology. Kids today are most definitely “digital natives,” and they learn how to use the devices we give them very quickly. It seems like everyone has a smartphone or tablet, and they are getting them at earlier and earlier ages.

Our Kids are being shaped and influenced in so many ways as they interact with the digital world. What they see, hear, and learn is molding how they think and how they see the world. Parents rely on screens and technology to accomplish a lot of things for their families. They also feel a sense of angst and apprehension as their children move deeper and deeper into a life surrounded by technology. Parents often don’t know what to do, or they slowly stop paying attention to the potential dangers of becoming consumed with technology. There are so many layers to this topic, and we have the opportunity to be in the conversation.

In this month’s coaching video, we want to help you and those who lead alongside you to think through how you can encourage parents as they try to figure out how to lead and shepherd their kids through the digital jungle. We also give you some practical steps to take as you seek to have an influence on the families in your church. This is an important conversation, and parents need your support. Take the time to figure out how you can be a valuable voice to parents and help parents lead their kids to a healthy place in the digital space. Parents are looking for help and guidance, and your church can have an influence on their family. The decisions parents make when dealing with the questions and issues around technology, phones, and social media will have a long-term impact on their children, and you can help steer them in a better direction.

To view, click HERE.

Parents have a lot to juggle in life, and they are often looking for tools to help them make their lives easier. Over the past decade or so, there is no doubt that smartphones, tablets, and all they provide have become tools that we all use in family life. As our kids begin to use these devices, it has potential for both good and harm. New ideas and concepts that come from images and captions can begin to form children in lots of different ways. They are often introduced to concepts that they are not yet ready to process. Their brains simply aren’t developed enough to either understand what they are encountering (much less the amount of stimulation and speed at which they are encountering it) or discern how what they are seeing should impact their thinking.

In the midst of this, parents don’t always take the time and effort they should to evaluate how the technology they rely on impacts the growth and development of their children. Tablets, phones, social media, and all they bring simply become a normal part of life with little or no reflection on the long-term impacts. This month’s Online Parenting Classes both encourage parents in this area of life and challenge them to seriously evaluate how their family interacts with the technology of today. Not only do parents need to be watching what their children are doing, but they need to take a look at their own habits. Modeling matters and that is especially true when it comes to this conversation.

To view, click HERE.

New blog posts coming this month:

For Kids’ Ministry Leaders: “Tackling Technology: How to Be a Resource for Parents” by Amy Diller
For Kids’ Ministry Parents: “Technology and Your Family: Establishing Healthy Boundaries” by Amy Diller
For Youth Ministry Leaders: “Technology and Teens: How to Encourage Parents” by Chris Sasser
For Youth Ministry Parents: “Parenting Teens in a Technological World: Be Where They Are” by Chris Sasser

To view, click HERE.

Helping Parents in the Digital Age

When we listen to parents talk about issues they struggle with today, one of the things we hear the most revolves around the challenges they face as they try to figure out how to help their kids navigate screens and technology. Kids today are most definitely “digital natives,” and they learn very quickly how to use the devices we give them. It seems like everyone has a smartphone or tablet, and they are getting them at earlier and earlier ages.

In this month’s Coaching Video, we want to help you and those who lead alongside you to think through how you can encourage parents as they try to figure out how to lead and shepherd their kids through the digital jungle. We also give you some practical steps to take as you seek to have an influence on the families in your church. This is an important conversation, and parents need your support. Take the time to figure out how you can be a valuable voice to parents and help parents lead their kids to a healthy place in the digital space. Parents are looking for help and guidance, and your church can have an influence on their family. The decisions parents make when dealing with the questions and issues around technology, phones, and social media will have a long-term impact on their children, and you can help steer them in a better direction. This is an important conversation, and parents need your support. Take the time to figure out how you can be a valuable voice to parents and help parents lead their kids to a healthy place in the digital space.

Click the image above to watch the video or click HERE!

Leading The Way For Your Kids In A Digital World

EMAIL 1

Copy/ Paste this email into a browser and send it to parents.

Subject Line: Leading the Way in The Digital World

Dear Parents,

As we all move through life, there is no doubt that we live in an increasingly predominant digital world. We rely on technology and our devices for so many things, and our kids are quickly getting reeled into this space. If we’re not careful, we can settle into patterns and rhythms that are unhealthy and allow our kids to do the same. Sure, the technology we have can be helpful and enhance our lives in big ways. It can also lead us and our kids to some dark places we never intended to go. If we want four our family to have healthy habits and perspectives, we need to be proactive in our approach to this area of life.

This month, we encourage you to carefully consider how you are allowing your kids to wade into the digital waters of today. Our Online Parenting Class will both encourage and challenge you as you seek to discern how to deal with the wave of technology that we seemingly cannot avoid. There are certain decisions you can make now that will help your kids get on the right track when it comes to how they view and interact with devices. It’s not always an easy road to travel, but you must create boundaries and pay close attention to what your kids are exposed to. There is so much formation going on in their little brains, and you need to understand how to help them develop in the healthiest way possible.

To watch this month’s Online Parenting Class video, click the link below.

[ INSERT LINK TO ONLINE PARENTING CLASS VIDEO ]

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: Technology, Social Media, and A Big Question

Dear Parents,

There is no doubt that the technology we use in the world today does a lot for us. It helps us be more efficient, it keeps our lives relatively straight, and it offers us a lot of entertainment options. It answers a lot of questions and solves a lot of our problems. On the other hand, it also creates some issues and questions that we need to face, especially when it comes to how our kids are interacting with and being influenced by it all.

This month, we want to provide you with some extra resources that will help you ask the questions you need to ask and take the time to discern how your family should navigate it all. We can easily slide into what feels normal or what everyone else is doing without taking the time to evaluate what might be best for our kids in the long run. This month’s Online Parenting Class could be a helpful tool for you as you think about this area of life.

Our Parent Toolbox Resource is another short video that deals with one of the biggest questions that parents are asking today when it comes to technology. “When should I let my kid on social media?” It’s a difficult question with no clear answer and lots of layers. Our friend Brian Houseman from 360 Family offers a practical suggestion that will give you a lot to think about.

Also, check out “Technology and Your Family: Establishing Healthy Boundaries.” This is an article that will put some handles around how you can lead your kids in their use of technology. Oh, and if you haven’t watched this month’s Online Parent Video, you can still access it.

To read the blog article or watch the video, click on the links below.

[ INSERT LINK TO M2P PARENTING BLOG ARTICLE ]

[ INSERT LINK TO M2P ONLINE PARENTING CLASS VIDEO ]

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 March KIDS Parent Video Script

As I work with parents at both my church and at other churches, there seems to be one topic that they have a lot of questions about and are not quite sure how to navigate. I can remember trying to figure out what to think and what to do with technology, devices, phones, and social media. Now, for some of you, having to deal with big issues around this topic may be a few years away, but all of us can agree that our kids are growing up in a digital ag,e and there is no going back. I’ve seen a lot of parents just kind of slide their kids into different parts of the digital world with little or no thought about it. It probably took my wife and I a few years to really sit down and think through how we were going to handle it all as a family. I can remember what a game changer it was for us when our firstborn learned how to turn on the TV himself in the morning so we could grab an extra hour or so of sleep. But, at some point, as this digital andevice-filleded wave was coming at our kids, we made some intentional decisions that we thought were best for our kids. I would encourage you to do the same. Don’t fall into the trap of letting your kids go into this world without thinking about it and knowing what the consequences of your decisions might be.

Usually, in videos like this, I say that I want to encourage you as a parent to do a few things. Today, I want to use some stronger language, and I actually want to challenge you. Now, I don’t know you, and you don’t know me, but please believe that I want for your family to be healthy in every way it can, and my challenges come from that place.

Challenge #1 is this.

Make decisions about things in this area when your kids are young, and stick to your decisions. You need to make decisions about things like how much screen time can your kids have, when will they get their own device, how much time do they get on that device, can that device live in their room, and I’m sure a list of other things that you can figure out. Be intentional about how you want your kids to live in this digital world and stick to your boundaries. We decided our kids were not going to get phones until they were in HS, and we told our kids that at an early age. So, when all their friends were getting phones in middle school (and some in elementary school), guess what we didn’t fight about in our house? When they were going to get a phone. We had daily limits on their screen time, and we never let their devices stay overnight in their rooms, a practice we continued through most of high school, by the way. And you know what? Our kids have come back, and they have thanked us for the fact that they didn’t have to go through a lot of the drama that a device brings at a time when they were not emotionally equipped to deal with it. I believe that on a lot of these decisions, the longer you wait, the better, and the less time your kids have on these devices, is better.

Challenge #2

Walk away from your device. Put down the phone. Model having healthy digital habits and give your kids the time and attention they need without having to check your device every so often. Our kids are smart, and they know when we are only giving them partial attention. When our kids were young, there was a night when I was waiting on a message that I thought was important. We were having dinner, and my phone was on the counter across the room. And when the notification came in, and I went over to check it, my son referenced a phrase he had heard and said, “Dad, device-free dinner?” Step away from the phone, give yourself some time to be alone with your own thoughts, and give your family the attention they need.

And here’s challenge #3 – and this might be the hardest one … this is the one where you say, “Who are you to say that to me?” Sorry.

Please don’t let technology take the place of your parenting, and don’t look at it as a way to make life easier for you. I get it; parenting is hard and exhausting, and our kids require a lot of attention. But here’s the thing … like I mentioned a moment ago, our kids need a lot of our attention. Sure, there are times when parents just need a break, and I’ve been there, but maybe instead of handing your kid a phone or a tablet when you’re at dinner in a restaurant, you have a conversation, and you talk about what you see in the restaurant if they’re young or you talk about how school is going or their favorite sport or literally ANYTHING! Build the habit of just talking and having conversations so that when your kids get older, they’ll be used to talking and having conversations. I promise you want to be the primary entity that interacts with your children, not some screen or device. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking they need a phone so they can text you when it’s time for you to come get them from an event or practice. Maybe be OK with sitting in the parking lot for a few minutes or teach them to be OK with having to wait until you get there. Sure, if everyone has a phone life might be more efficient, but I would ask, “At what cost?” What’s the cost to their mental and emotional development, and what’s the cost to your family interaction?

I beg you. When it comes to how your family navigates technology, devices, screen time, and everything that comes with living in a digital world, do your research, make wise choices, not easy ones. And lead your kids into a healthy perspective and healthy habits in this area of life. Don’t just slide into what feels “normal” and what seems efficient. Embrace what’s best and lead your family there.

2.1.24

Your February Resources Are Here!

As children’s ministry leaders, the month of February often becomes a metaphorical fork in the ministry/parent ministry road. You’ve worked hard all summer to get your children’s ministry team recruited, trained, and placed. You successfully launched the new ministry year back in August/September with the kids in your church. You’ve established your communication plan with parents, and you may have even started to see some traction in that area. You’ve started to notice a few of your ministry team volunteers catch on, and they’ve begun to engage with the parents of the kids whom they lead (without you having to plead with them to do so). Now, this dedicated yet still budding team that you’ve worked so hard to assemble and the parents you have been serving together for an entire semester are looking to you as a ministry leader for what’s next. You have a choice to make: Option #1—You consider these first semester gains a “job well done” and drop anchor for the rest of the ministry year, hoping that the leader development/buy-in, parent equipping/engagement, and the ministry itself will continue to grow with the seeds you’ve already planted. Option #2—You lead your children’s ministry to take the next step, sow/water some new seeds, and do your best to take new ground in the areas of encouraging, equipping, educating, and training your ministry team and the parents within your span of care.

If you choose (or are even willing to consider) Option #2, this month’s resources are for you! As an M2P subscriber, you already know that we believe in encouraging, equipping, and engaging parents to help them become more confident and capable in leading out (and living out) the Gospel at home through at-home discipleship with their kids. We are also dedicated to equipping you, as a ministry leader, and those who serve alongside you with practical resources that are aimed at building/leveraging relationships with the parents of the kids whom you shepherd.

This month’s M2P resources are designed to do two things: #1 To help you, as a children’s ministry leader, better understand your audience and what you have access to with your MinistryToParents subscription. Our Children’s Ministry Leader Blog will provide you and your team with some insights into those you lead. Our Coaching Video will cover a more in-depth look into all the resources you have access to with M2P. You might even learn something new. We are also providing you this month with your own Children’s Ministry Leader Toolbox Resource. #2 To help you challenge and encourage parents to take the time to find the resources they need to grow in their parenting, give them some ideas about where they can look and provide them with ideas to use as they seek to lead their families. This month’s Online Parenting Class encourage parents to do everything they can to learn and grow as a parent and to actively seek out resources that will help them and their kids. This month’s Parent-Focused Blog Article helps parents focus on providing what their kids need during the different phases of their lives. This month’s Parent Toolbox Resource is another edition of our popular bundle called Discipleship Starts At Home. This time, we are helping parents build more Biblical knowledge and confidence by providing them with a bundled resource they can use to lead their family on a study through the Book of Romans. Lastly, our social media resources will reinforce the idea that all parents need to be constantly learning and growing. Oh, and don’t forget to listen to this month’s M2P Podcast, where we have a special guest who is in the trenches at a church every day using M2P in some incredibly unique ways to help equip his parents. It’s all designed to serve you as you serve the parents in your church.

Your friends and ministry partners,

The M2P Team

WHAT IS IT?

This month’s Toolbox Resource is made up of two main parts.

Part one, Ten Ways To Utilize M2P More Effectively, was designed and created for you as a children’s ministry leader. It’s a curated list of ten ways you can utilize M2P more effectively in your children’s ministry.
Part two, Discipleship Starts At Home: Romans, was designed and created for you to use to equip the parents within your span of care as they seek to be the primary disciplers of the kids in their homes. This discipleship and bible study resource is the second installment of a very popular resource (actually several resources that have been bundled together) that we previously provided for the book of John.

PART ONE:

Ten Ways To Utilize M2P More Effectively

HOW TO USE IT

Download the Ten Ways To Utilize M2P More Effectively PDF.
Read and explore all the resources that your M2P subscription provides you.
Discuss with your ministry team ways you can implement some of these ideas/resources to be more effective in encouraging, equipping, educating, and training the parents within your span of care.

PART TWO:

Discipleship Starts At Home: Romans
- BIG QUESTIONS. SIMPLE ANSWERS. is a brief e-book that offers parents a way to learn and explain the Bible’s Big Story to their children in an easy-to-understand format. The topics are:
  - What is the Big Story of the Bible?
  - Why do we have four Gospels?
  - What is the Good News?
  - What is the Bible?
  - Who is God’s Family?
- FAMILY BIBLE STUDY: ROMANS is one of M2P’s Family Bible Series that is designed to help parents lead their kids through a book of the Bible and have spiritual conversations as a family. This study is all done for you and is simple to use. It includes:
  - Book Summary that comes complete with descriptions of the setting, overview, and theme of Romans.
  - Daily Reading Plan that breaks each of the 16 chapters of Romans down chapter by chapter into seven themes.
  - Family Journal sheets help guide the reader’s thoughts through each chapter. Every journal sheet corresponds with a chapter in Romans and provides space to write (or draw), share favorite words, and more. This section creates opportunities for spiritual conversations over dinner, at night before they go to bed, in the car, or anytime the opportunity arises.

Each of the resources found in Discipleship Starts At Home: Romans is designed to provide parents with a practical tool they can use to lead spiritual exercises and conversations that will help their kids grow in their faith and position the parents to be the primary spiritual leaders for their family. Each of the resources offers a different experience, and parents can use one or multiple of them as they seek to help their kids grow into true disciples of Jesus.

HOW TO USE IT

Download Discipleship Starts At Home: Romans containing the two resources.
Post the resources on your website or email parents a copy of the resources.
Encourage parents to set aside some time this month to use one or more of these discipleship resources with their kids.
Print copies of the resources for parents to grab at church.

To view or download, click HERE.

Parents are the most significant spiritual influence in the lives of kids, yet many of us as children’s ministry leaders are so busy with weekly programming, event planning, recruiting/training, meetings, message prep, and building relationships with kids that we don’t have time to strengthen our ministry to parents or equip the parents within our span of care. However, our churches are filled with parents who are struggling and ultimately disengaging in many ways. These parents are left to their feelings of frustration, exhaustion, doubt, discouragement, and are ready to give up. They feel as if they are drowning and all alone. We, as the Church, are perfectly positioned to come alongside these parents in their time of need, offer them encouragement to continue on, and equip them with the resources they need as they seek to be the primary disciplers of the kids in their homes. As children’s ministry leaders who are living out our calling, we have a pulse on who our audience is, the developmental phases they are going through, and the issues they are navigating or need to be able to navigate. This is the time to lean in, engage, and equip the parents in our churches to become the primary disciplers that God has ordained them to be!

With that in mind, in this month’s coaching video, we want to provide you with some in-depth insight into parts of your M2P subscription that you might have missed and maybe open your eyes to a few things you could be using more effectively. Our hope this month is to resource and encourage you to keep making ministering to the parents in your church a priority and know that, as you equip and encourage parents become more confident and capable in leading out (and living out) the Gospel at home through at-home discipleship with their kids, you are making a Kingdom difference in the world.

To view, click HERE.

As parents move through their day-to-day lives, they are busy. They are busy with work, finances, and family commitments. They are busy with personal and social engagements. All this busyness means that parents often don’t have time to focus on the things they need to focus on when it comes to leading their kids in a healthy direction. And when it comes to leading their children spiritually, they often don’t know where to look to get the help they need. They are dealing with situations and circumstances they have never dealt with before. The kids they are raising are changing every day, and they need to not only better understand who their children are but they need to better understand the culture and how it is shifting. It’s a lot to keep up with!

To complicate matters, many parents feel ill-equipped to have spiritual conversations with their kids. They may not be where they need to be spiritually themselves, so they shy away from having conversations that can lead them into deep waters where they don’t have the answers. As kids get older, the conversations become more layered, difficult, and the stakes grow ever higher. These are the times when parents begin to doubt and lack the confidence to step into the role of spiritual leader. These are also the times when parents need more than encouragement; they need practical information, ideas, and resources to navigate these conversations and to lead out (and live out) the Gospel at home through at-home discipleship with their kids.

This month’s Online Parenting Class will encourage parents to both find the time and tools they need to grow spiritually and find the resources they need to lead their kids into a growing and vibrant faith. These videos give parents encouragement and practical ideas that will hopefully spur them on to lead in a way that is helpful to them, their children, and their family.

To view, click HERE.

New blog posts coming this month:

For Kids’ Ministry Leaders: “Child Development and Its Importance for Church Leaders” by Amy Diller
For Kids’ Ministry Parents: “Ages and Stages: What to Expect as Your Child Grows” by Amy Diller
For Youth Ministry Leaders: “Building a Parent Ministry at Your Church” by Chris Sasser
For Youth Ministry Parents: “Finding Help as a Parent of Teens” by Chris Sasser

To view, click HERE.

Resourcing Parents

As children’s ministry leaders, we often have a lot on our plate when it comes to building and maintaining our ministry to kids. Wednesday and Sunday are always coming, and there’s always something else to do. If we’re not careful, the thing that can get crowded out is the other part of our ministry that is so critical: the ministry to parents. Obviously, this is important to you, or you would not be a part of our M2P community. You understand how important it is for us to equip and encourage parents to be spiritual leaders in their homes.

Even though we have a heart for helping parents, we can sometimes get overwhelmed and not know where to start or take our next step. At M2P, we want to help you have the resources you need to lead the parents in your church. You obviously have some familiarity with the resources we provide, but we want to make sure you understand everything that you have access to.

This month’s coaching video will walk you through all of the elements of your MinistryToParents subscription and maybe even open your eyes to a few things you haven’t used before. We know there is a lot out there, and it can be overwhelming, but we encourage you to keep taking steps along your journey of ministering to parents, and we are honored to help.

Click the image above to watch the video or click HERE!

Growing & Developing As A Parent

EMAIL 1

Subject Line: Getting the Help You Need as a Parent

Dear Parents,

Do you ever have one of those days when everything you do as a parent seems to push someone in your home over the edge or just plain make you crazy? It happens. Things begin to go down the wrong path, and you are not quite sure where to turn or what to do. You often need a moment to collect yourself and attempt to get it all together. You also need some direction, help, or ideas that will lead you to a different result.

This month’s Online Parenting Class will encourage you to make sure that you are taking the time to find the resources you need to grow as a parent and give you some ideas about where you can look. There is so much out there that can help you gain knowledge, shift your perspective, or simply give you encouragement as you walk down this parenting road. Ask yourself, “Am I taking advantage of the parenting resources that are out there to help me lead my family well?” Know that we are here to help, and we can point you to some of the resources you need. Don’t hesitate to reach out and let us know what you need or how we can be praying for you and your family.

You likely know this, but as a parent, you play a significant role in the spiritual health, growth, and development of your children. Actually, according to the Bible, you are the primary spiritual leader for your kids. Hearing that may have made you cringe a little or make your hands start to sweat, but the truth is that you are perfectly positioned to be the best spiritual leader your kids could ever have. It’s God’s design.

One way to encourage spiritual growth in your children is to model a strong and consistent faith yourself. Your kids are watching you lead by example as they try to decipher what following Jesus actually looks like. That’s why it’s important for you to spiritually lead them by example. In fact, this month, we are providing you with a Parent Toolbox Resource that will help you do just that. Discipleship Starts At Home: Romans is a resource designed to help you lead your child through a book of the Bible and have spiritual conversations as a family. This study is all done for you and is simple to use. It includes:

▪ Book Summary that comes complete with descriptions of the setting, overview, and theme of Romans.

▪ Daily Reading Plan that breaks each of the 16 chapters of Romans down chapter by chapter into seven themes.

▪ Family Journal sheets help guide the reader’s thoughts through each chapter. Every journal sheet corresponds with a chapter in Romans and provides space to write (or draw), share favorite words, and more. This section creates opportunities for spiritual conversations over dinner, at night before they go to bed, in the car, or anytime the opportunity arises.

To watch this month’s Online Parenting Class video, click the link below.

[ INSERT LINK TO ONLINE PARENTING CLASS VIDEO ]

Cheering you on!

[INSERT LEADER’S SIGNATURE HERE]

EMAIL 2

Copy/ Paste this email into a browser and send it to parents.

Subject Line: Learning and Growing as a Parent

Dear Parents,

Have you ever heard the phrase “leaders are learners?” If not, you have likely heard some version of it. We all know that we have to learn more about the things we are involved with if we are going to hone our craft and get better. We go to conferences, listen to podcasts, and read books that help us in our careers or hobbies. We want to get better, and we take the time to grow and learn.

And those of us who lead at church know that one of the things you want to get better at is parenting. Not only do you want to be a good parent, but you want to be a great parent. It’s the most important role you have, and it’s a big job. Your kids need you, and you need help in order to be the best version of you as you lead and guide them. As you move through life and attempt to learn and grow as a parent, there are lots of resources that can help you along the way. There are books, articles, online classes, and groups you can join. We want to help point you to the resources and help you need to be the parent God has called you to be.

If you haven’t watched this month’s Online Parenting Class Video, you still have time. It will help you think deeper about how you can learn and grow as a parent and point you in a direction you can go to find the help you need. We also have an online article called “Ages & Stages- What To Expect As Your Child Grows” and exercises you can do at home (like this month’s Parent Toolbox Resource, Discipleship Starts At Home: Romans) to help you create the parenting rhythm you need to continue growing and learning. Make sure you are taking advantage of the resources that are available to you, and know that we are always here to help. To read the blog article or watch the video, click on the links below.

[ INSERT LINK TO M2P PARENTING BLOG ARTICLE ]

[ INSERT LINK TO M2P ONLINE PARENTING CLASS VIDEO ]

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 February KIDS Parent Video Script

I don’t know if this was true for you, but I remember when our first child was born bringing him home and having no idea what to do. There was even this moment a few hours after we got home when his face went blue, it seemed like he couldn’t breathe, and my wife and I were really freaking out. Then, once he did his business in his diaper … all was well, and he actually gave us a smile. If I’m honest, I often haven’t known what to do along my parenting journey, and I’ve needed help. I bet you can relate.

As parents, we all want to be good at parenting. We want to love our kids well and give them the best possible opportunity to be successful in the world. We want them to be healthy physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. And in order to do that, we need to always be learning and growing ourselves, giving us the best possible opportunity to be the parents God has called us to be. Over the years, I have heard people say that “leaders are learners,” and I think we would all agree with that. We all know that in our careers or even in our hobbies, we need to be learning in order to be successful. I would argue that the same is true in our parenting. And I might argue that continuing to learn as a parent is one of the most important things you can do. Here’s why: Sometimes you can learn something about something, and you know what you need to know and what you need to do. That often occurs when the environment around the thing you are doing never changes. I’ve learned how to make sourdough bread, and I do the same thing every time, and I get the same results every time, and that’s because nothing around the process ever changes.

But when it comes to our kids and raising them, everything is changing all the time. First and foremost, they are changing. Literally every day, they are changing. Their body is changing, their mind is changing, their emotions are ever-changing, and the kid you are parenting today isn’t the kid you were parenting yesterday or the kid you will parent tomorrow. And then there’s the culture they are living in that is ever-changing, They are around different people each day, they are in different situations each day, and they are being influenced by different things all the time.

So, as parents, we need to be students of our children and students of the culture they are in, and we need to find resources to help us learn and grow. I’m not sure the “I hope we figure it out along the way” approach is a good one.

One of the best resources we can have as parents is other people who are walking with us along our journey. These could be friends from church or wise family members. We need people in our lives to bounce ideas off and encourage us along the way. Connecting with fellow Christian parents in community groups or churches can be a source of tremendous support. Sharing experiences, seeking advice, and praying together can create a network that uplifts and strengthens us in our parenting journey.

There is also an abundance of materials available. Christian parenting books can offer guidance on navigating various challenges, help you learn how to foster a nurturing environment in your home and give you practical ways to instill biblical principles in your family. Take some time to find a book that speaks to the specifics of what’s going on in your family and read it. Short articles can encourage us and give us regular insight as we seek to lead our teens, so create a rhythm of finding articles or blog posts to read regularly. Online platforms and courses tailored for Christian parents provide a convenient way to deepen our understanding of parenting through a spiritual lens. Engaging with these resources can equip us with the knowledge and tools we need to navigate the complexities of raising kids in today’s world while staying true to our Christian beliefs. I know your church wants to help you have the resources you need, so continue to be on the lookout for both what they provide and take the time to find things on your own.

So, as we continue to walk down this Christian parenting path, I would encourage you to actively seek out resources that align with your Christian values, remembering that growing as parents not only is a personal benefit to us but it’s also a gift we give to our children. When we take advantage of all the tools at our disposal, and we become better parents, it has a tremendous impact on our family, and the faith and lessons we pass on could make a difference for generations. Together, let’s embrace the opportunity to continually learn, grow, and deepen our faith and our parenting skills as we navigate the role God has given us to lead our kids.

1.1.24

Your January Resources Are Here!

Happy New Year, M2P Community! That’s right; it’s a new year—another trip around the sun together with 364 brand new opportunities for fresh starts, new adventures, goal setting, and fertile ground to be taken for the Glory of God! Sure, these are all great and even potentially God-honoring aspirations for 2024. But as exciting as that all is supposed to sound to us as children’s ministry leaders, for many, it sounds a whole lot more like limping back onto a hamster wheel of ministry that’s leading us down the road of spiritual exhaustion and ministry burnout.

Let’s be honest; there’s a lot to manage when daily navigating our children’s ministry life, home/family life, or both simultaneously. To say we are “busy” is often an understatement. The frantic pace of life we often live is leading us to a place of emptiness and exhaustion where we simply cannot give the Lord or our families our best. This emptiness, exhaustion, and “addiction to busy” is just as real and just as much of an issue for the parents to whom we are ministering. And yet, we all struggle to fight the natural push we feel towards taking on more—a constant pressure to do more, be more, offer more, and add more. So, in response, we tend to move from event to event, leaving little time for rest, reflection, or genuine relational connection. Our culture (and quite honestly, many of our churches) not only celebrate our addiction to busy but we are also taught to wear the “Well, I’m busy!” answer to “How are you doing?” as some sort of badge of honor. We have either bought into (or been pushed into) the ways of the world when it comes to the speed at which we think we need to operate. The idea of slowing it all down, creating a healthy rhythm, and caring for ourselves or the people we love and lead can feel like a pipedream.

It doesn’t have to be this way. In fact, it shouldn’t be this way. God has not created us, the families, or the ministries we lead to run at a breakneck speed—cramming in every little bit we can. We have been created to be in relationship with Him, in relationship with others, and to develop a pattern of life that allows space for both. God encourages us to be still and focus on Him. He wants us to rest in His presence and learn to seek His kingdom above all else. He wants us to learn that loving each other in true relationships is more valuable than being involved in more things, taking on more things, offering more things, or getting more accomplished. As children’s ministry leaders, we need to begin this new year with an openness to thinking differently in this area, and we need to lead the parents in our churches to do the same. When we choose to intentionally slow down, rest in Him, and live life according to what He wants instead of what the world pushes us into, our hearts and souls have the opportunity to settle down and better connect with Him and those around us.

This month’s M2P resources have been uniquely crafted to challenge and equip you, the leaders who serve alongside you, and the parents in your ministry to step into a new year with a resolution to slow down, rest in the Lord, and live life at a sustainable and healthy pace that honors Him. Our Coaching Video will provide you and your leaders with thoughtful insights, creative ideas, and practical steps that will help you create healthy rhythms. This month’s Blog Articles and our Online Parenting Class Video share some great insights about what we need as we all seek to rest in the Lord and live as He intends us to live. This month’s Toolbox Resource is called A Family Guide to Building Rest, and it provides parents with some specific disciplines and practices they can use to begin building habits and laying a foundation for developing a healthier pace at home. Our social media resources will help you reinforce these ideas to parents. It’s all designed to serve you as you serve and equip the parents in your church.

^“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.”
– Matthew 11:28-30 ESV

The M2P Team

WHAT IS IT?

Learning how to build rest into our daily rhythms often requires us to be more intentional about implementing some specific practices and disciplines into our daily lives. Although these practices and disciplines are no “magic pill’ that will undo years of learned “addiction to being busy” overnight, committing to a more sustainable cadence of rest will, over time, help us to build the new daily rhythms we desire and so desperately need.

A Family Guide to Building Rest is designed to provide you with some practical steps to take over the course of four weeks to begin building habits and laying a foundation for developing a healthier pace that can help you to live in the way rest that God intends for you to live. Please note that this resource is titled A Family Guide to Building Rest, not A Parent-Only Guide to Building Rest. This is as important as it is intentional. Our desire is for this guide to encourage both you and your entire family to begin implementing these practices and disciplines into your daily lives. As a parent, your example of intentionally choosing rest over an addiction to being busy will help your kid(s) to rethink and reconsider the prioritization of slowing down, resting, and connecting with the Lord on a regular basis. With that in mind, tweak these habits and practices to fit your family context, and feel free to simplify steps or only use those your kid(s) can do along with you. Make sure to set aside a few minutes at the end of each week to talk together about what you learned through these exercises.

HOW TO USE IT

Download A Family Guide to Building Rest and post it on your website.
Email parents a copy of A Family Guide to Building Rest and encourage them to set aside some time to go through it this month together with their family.
Print copies of A Family Guide to Building Rest for parents to grab at church and let them know where they can pick it up.

To view or download, click HERE.

As we move along in our journey as a children’s ministry leader, it can seem like one busy season of life, and ministry simply bleeds into another busy season of life and ministry. We are often working long hours and dealing with physically and emotionally draining situations. We get tired and often don’t have (or take) the time we need to rest and recover. We find ourselves feeling exhausted, not able to muster up the energy we need to do the things God is calling us to do. We feel guilty that we aren’t where we need to be physically, spiritually, and emotionally, and we can struggle to get it together and lead in the way we want to lead.

Parents in our church often feel the same way. They are juggling schedules and activities, and they feel like they are always on the run. They move from one practice or activity to another, finding just enough time for a drive-through dinner to feed their family. Most of them would say that they value rest and quality time to connect; they just can’t seem to jump off the hamster wheel of life and slow it all down. The pressures of the world and the perception that they have to be “busy” wins the day.

This month, we want to encourage you to both pay attention to your own pace of life and help the parents and families in your ministry pay attention to theirs. We all need to learn how to build a healthy rhythm that allows space for rest, reflection, and authentic personal connection. God made us to “be,” not just “do.” If we want to live the abundant life that we were made to live, something has to change in the way we approach each and every day. This month’s coaching video will address building a healthy rhythm and provide you with practical ways to do it.

To view, click HERE.

There is no doubt that most of the parents we serve in our churches and communities are often running on empty. Their busy schedules take them from event to event, and they struggle to find time to catch their breath. Their family is always busy, and the relentless pace takes a toll on so many things. They rarely have time for the real rest, reflection, and soul restoration that they desperately need. They need these things in order to live their lives at a sustainable, healthy pace that leads them to the abundant life God has for them. This month’s Online Parenting Class offers an encouragement to parents to think about family life in a different way and take some steps to slow it all down.

To view, click HERE.

New blog posts coming this month:

For Kids’ Ministry Leaders: “The Gift of a Slower Season” by Amy Diller
For Kids’ Ministry Parents: “The Gift of January” by Amy Diller
For Youth Ministry Leaders: “Embracing the Rhythm of Rest” by Chris Sasser
For Youth Ministry Parents: “Finding Real Rest” by Chris Sasser

To view, click HERE.