Skip to content
abundant life logo

Family Ministry

“Children’s children are the crown of old men, And the glory of children is their father.”

Proverbs 17:6

Train | Teach | Disciple

A boy sitting on outside steps with his grandfather, discussing life matters.

Are you looking for resources and tools to strengthen and disciple your family?

Discipleship is best lived out through the family and the church (Deuteronomy 6:4-7, Matthew 28:18-20)

Abundant Life Family Ministry wants to equip parents for family discipleship and provide resources so they can lead powerful spiritual conversations with the next generation.

We want to see you WIN at discipleship with your family!

foot prints icon

Walk the path

Families in every stage of life Walk the Path for discipleship guided by ten Mile Markers (see below).

Conversation bubbles icon

Initiate weekly conversations

Parents Initiate Weekly Conversations by intentionally setting aside regular time to read God’s Word and worship together.

A cross with rays of light coming out of it.

Never miss a God moment

Never Miss a God Moment by seizing opportunities to intentionally connect spiritual truths to everyday life.

The 10 Mile Markers for Families

 

Each Mile Marker gives parents and adults a clear direction to be equipped for lifelong discipleship through biblical training and practical resources, with some special events of celebration along the way.

Each Mile Marker on the path features three key ways for you to be equipped to WIN at discipleship:

  1. The Parenting Conference features sessions for each Mile Marker with biblical training to shepherd your family along the path of discipleship, with opportunities to connect and build relationships with other families in the same season of life. 
  2. Events are recommended activities for you to create as a family or special celebrations hosted by Abundant Life, all focused on marking significant life events or celebrations. 
  3. Resources are recommended books and training materials we recommend to equip you as you intentionally guide your family along the path.

The 10 Mile Markers for Families

The first Mile Marker is child dedication. This is a ceremony that normally occurs for parents who have children between birth and one year of age. You will learn how to become primary faith trainers for your children and accept the responsibility. Resources and learning opportunities are provided for new parents desiring to dedicate their children to the Lord. During the ceremony, the church body commits to partner with the parents in the faith development of the child for the duration of the journey. 

Event: Child Dedication 

  • Video training about Child Dedication’s purpose 
  • Special dedication on a Sunday morning during service with prayer on stage 
  • Families receive a certificate and The Beginner Bible 

Resources: 

The Vision for Family Ministry

We want to connect the Great Commission to the Great Commandment by equipping parents to teach, train, and disciple their children to become fully devoted followers of Christ. 

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”--Deuteronomy 6:4-7

We want to help you have “wins” for your family! Through Family Ministry, our heart is to equip you to…  

  • Have a family faith talk every week–Setting aside time each week to have faith conversations as a family builds a strong foundation for the next generation
  • Capture God moments on the go–Talking with your kids about what God is doing in the day-to-day helps them develop a biblical worldview
  • Celebrate mile markers as a church family–Celebrating child dedications, baptisms, and other mile markers together unifies families and give children a community where they can grow

Establish community–Having a community gives parents and children support and helps them through stages of life

A family holding hands praying over a bible.

Sign Up and Connect!

Strengthen your family.
Sign up for emails, register for a class, and connect with us on social media!

Homeschool Ministry

Do you homeschool online, in person, or through your local co-op and seek support, connections, and opportunities? The Abundant Life Homeschool Ministry wants to come alongside you to provide what you need and to celebrate big milestone events along the way!

Sign up for our email list and get updates on activities and events.

Abundant Life Homeschool Ministry

Blending God's Way

Blending God’s Way is an 8-week course designed to offer hope, encouragement, and biblical resources for helping your family navigate the unique dynamics and challenges of blended families.

Participants will use The Smart Stepfamily, curriculum by Ron Deal.

Class will be held on Thursdays, March 16 – May 4 from 6:30 – 8:00 pm at the Independence Campus.

Please register by March 14.

Foster/Adopt Family Support

A couple with their adopted teen daughter.

Is God speaking to your heart about the possibility of foster care or adoption? Choosing to adopt or foster is not an easy decision. But it is a calling and we want to support foster, adoptive, and birth families. We see you and we see the difference that you are making. If you want to learn more or be a part of this growing ministry, sign up below and plan to attend the interest meeting.

Foster and Adoptive Parents Celebration
Friday, January 13, 6:30 pm

Lee's Summit Campus, Main Building

Special Needs Ministry

We feel that it is important to engage children and adults with special needs in a setting that is conducive to them and their needs.  On Sundays, we provide opportunities for adults and children at all of our campuses.

Children (up to age 12) meet during service in the Abundant Life Kids Area, and we have a youth/adults (age 12+) only class that meets at 11:15 am at the Blue Springs and Lee’s Summit Campus.

To better prepare for your arrival, please contact the church office at 816-554-8181 with any questions (Monday-Thursday).

Get more information about the Special Needs Ministry here. 

Two colunteers working with a young boy with speacial needs.

Merge

Want to have a healthy marriage before you say “I do”? Merge is a pre-marital discipleship ministry designed for engaged and seriously dating couples. These classes provide a way for you to seek wisdom and receive biblical counsel about marriage in a fun, safe, and authentic environment. You can enroll in a weekend workshop and/or a 9-week course.

merge-logo_300x400

9-Week Course Fall 2023

Begins Wednesday, September 6, 6:30-8:30 PM

*Note there is cost to this class to cover the materials used.

*Merge is a class that requires a sign up for attendance. It is closed group, meaning everyone who signs up attends the entire session and new members aren’t allowed in until the next session starts.

Happening at Family Ministry...

Spring Merge Pre-Marital Class

Wednesday, Apr. 5, 6:30 pm8:30 pm CDT

Registration for the Spring Merge is now closed. You may register for the Fall Merge at https://abundantlife.tpsdb.com/OnlineReg/3760 Merge is a 9-week premarital discipleship ministry designed for engaged and seriously dating couples. It’s a chance to seek wisdom and receive counsel about marriage in a safe, fun, and authentic environment.

Spring Merge Pre-Marital Class

Wednesday, Apr. 12, 6:30 pm8:30 pm CDT

Registration for the Spring Merge is now closed. You may register for the Fall Merge at https://abundantlife.tpsdb.com/OnlineReg/3760 Merge is a 9-week premarital discipleship ministry designed for engaged and seriously dating couples. It’s a chance to seek wisdom and receive counsel about marriage in a safe, fun, and authentic environment.

Spring Merge Pre-Marital Class

Wednesday, Apr. 19, 6:30 pm8:30 pm CDT

Registration for the Spring Merge is now closed. You may register for the Fall Merge at https://abundantlife.tpsdb.com/OnlineReg/3760 Merge is a 9-week premarital discipleship ministry designed for engaged and seriously dating couples. It’s a chance to seek wisdom and receive counsel about marriage in a safe, fun, and authentic environment.

Spring Merge Pre-Marital Class

Wednesday, Apr. 26, 6:30 pm8:30 pm CDT

Registration for the Spring Merge is now closed. You may register for the Fall Merge at https://abundantlife.tpsdb.com/OnlineReg/3760 Merge is a 9-week premarital discipleship ministry designed for engaged and seriously dating couples. It’s a chance to seek wisdom and receive counsel about marriage in a safe, fun, and authentic environment.

SOAR Summer Day Camp

Monday, Jul. 10, 9:00 am4:00 pm CDT

Every summer SOAR Special Needs offers a week-long SOAR Special Needs Summer Day Camp open for all individuals with special needs ages 3 y/o and older. We offer camp in-person from 9 am – 4 pm Monday through Friday. This year we are excited for our camp theme to be Camp DinoSOAR! We cannot wait…