Family Ministry

It is so important to help children prepare spiritually, emotionally, and physically as they head into their school years. Between the ages of 2 and 6, we begin to introduce these concepts to kids as they attend church ministries and activities. We also equip parents to intentionally train their children. Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way that they should go and when they are old they will not depart from it.” Parents, you are encouraged to attend Growing Kids God’s Way, a discipleship class that will equip you with tools for training, discipline, and laying the foundation for a loving family. You will learn how to establish a vision statement, core values, and discipline plan for your family. 

Event: Kindergarten Graduation (more details coming soon) 

Resources:  

• Child Training Bible 
• Growing Kids God’s Way, growingfamilies.life 
• Raising Kingdom Kids, by Tony Evans 
• How Great Is Our God: 100 Indescribable Devotions About God and Science, by Louie Giglio 
• Indescribable: 100 Devotions for Kids About God and Science, by Louie Giglio 

• The Biggest Story: How the Snake Crusher Brings Us Back to the Garden, Kevin DeYoung 
• The Biggest Story Bible Storybook, by Kevin DeYoung 

The Biggest Story ABC, by Kevin DeYoung

An important milestone in the life of every person is salvation and baptism. For the child growing up in a Christian home and in the context of a local church, a decision point is often reached between the ages of 7 and 11. This decision may also occur later in life. Between Mile Marker 1 and Milestone 3, we partner with and equip you to lead your kids toward a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, which leads to salvation. You are encouraged to attend a seminar that teaches the biblical truth about salvation and baptism and are equipped and given resources to Initiate Weekly Conversations with family devotions in their homes where these principles are taught. To make this Mile Marker memorable and special, you can include a Spiritual Birthday that focuses on the child’s date of salvation and a family celebration at and following the child’s baptism event. You are encouraged to invite family, friends, and those who spiritually influence the child. 

Event: Baptism 

Resources: 

• ABCs of Salvation card 
• Welcome to the Family book 

• The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis 

The passing of a child into adulthood is a significant event. Biblically, we must equip our children to become men and women of God. Ages 13-16 are significant in the life of a child. Rite of Passage about becoming a man or woman of God. In this seminar, you'll be equipped to disciple your child for adulthood. Issues such as spiritual gifts, the roles of men and women, spiritual disciplines, service in the church, dealing with failure, and other biblical issues will be explored both in your family devotion and on the church campus. You’ll also learn how to host a very special “Rite of Passage” ceremony as a part of the discipleship. 

Event: Rite of Passage 

Resources: 

• Experiencing God, by Henry Blackaby 

• For guys: Raising a Modern Day Knight, by Robert Lewis 
• For girls: The Fitting Room: Putting On the Character of Christ, by Kelly Minter 
• For girls: All Things New: A Study on 2 Corinthians, by Kelly Minter 
• For girls: Defined: Who God Says You Are, Priscilla Shirer 
• For girls: Raising a Modern Day Princess, Pam Farrell & Doreen Hanna  

The passing of a child into adulthood is a significant event. Biblically, we must equip our children to become men and women of God. Ages 13-16 are significant in the life of a child. Rite of Passage about becoming a man or woman of God. In this seminar, you'll be equipped to disciple your child for adulthood. Issues such as spiritual gifts, the roles of men and women, spiritual disciplines, service in the church, dealing with failure, and other biblical issues will be explored both in your family devotion and on the church campus. You’ll also learn how to host a very special “Rite of Passage” ceremony as a part of the discipleship. 

Event: Rite of Passage 

Resources: 

• Experiencing God, by Henry Blackaby 

• For guys: Raising a Modern Day Knight, by Robert Lewis 
• For girls: The Fitting Room: Putting On the Character of Christ, by Kelly Minter 
• For girls: All Things New: A Study on 2 Corinthians, by Kelly Minter 
• For girls: Defined: Who God Says You Are, Priscilla Shirer 

For girls: Raising a Modern Day Princess, Pam Farrell & Doreen Hanna 

Between the ages of 17 and 19, parents must help their children develop the practical and spiritual skills to leave home. This Mile Marker is about preparing your child for the world after high school. This can be a very healthy time in the family journey if you continue to keep the lines of communication open with their students. Issues such as basic apologetics, courtship and marriage, determining the will of God, life skills for living away from home, and other biblical issues will be explored both in family Weekly Conversations and on the church campus. We teach you to write out a spiritual blessing for your child to be presented at the time of graduation. These important years of discipleship are our last chance to shape the faith of our children before they are on their own. 

Event: 

• Senior Weekend with Fusion - Basic Senior Weekend -  

• Senior Night at Fusion 
• Blessing Ceremony 

Resources: 

• Outdated, by Jonathan Pokluda 
• The Case for Christ: Student Edition, by Lee Strobel 

• Next Generation, Leader by Andy Stanley 
• Counterculture, by David Platt 
• Don’t Waste Your Life, by John Piper 
• The Blessing, by John Trent 

It is so important to help children prepare spiritually, emotionally, and physically for adulthood. A person’s 20s are the most crucial time for adult development. We want to equip you to intentionally prepare your children to enter adulthood. You are transitioning from a full custodial role to a coaching role. This Mile Marker teaches the basics concerning coaching your child through career, identity, and relationships. 

Resources: 

• Paradigm messages podcast  
• Becoming Something podcast  

• Financial Peace University  
• Welcome to Adulting, Jonathan Pokluda 
• Doing Life with Your Adult Children, by Jim Burns 
• Praying the Scriptures for Your Adult Children by Jodie Berndt 
• When Strings Turn to Wings message by Dr. David Jeremiah 

The most important relationship in our lives outside of Jesus is our spouse. This Mile Marker helps equip adults who are considering marriage to determine if they should marry or part ways. Couples are also equipped with tools to be able to work through certain obstacles to a healthy marriage in the future. Merge connects couples with a mentor couple and other couples seeking marriage. 

Event:

• Merge

Resources: 

• The Meaning of Marriage, by Tim Keller 

Grandparents, you matter. You leave legacies that impact generations to come. You help grandchildren grow spiritually, emotionally, and physically. You pass on stories and values that leave a lasting impact on the future. Mile Marker 9 is about preparing and supporting you in your critical role to leave lasting legacies that reflect the character of God to future generations. 

Resources: 

• Biblical Grandparenting: Exploring God's Design for Disciple-Making and Passing Faith to Future Generations, by Dr. Josh Mulvihill
• The Power of a Praying® Grandparent, by Stormie Omartain
• Family Wealth: Keeping It in the Family, by James E. Hughes Jr.
• unHeritage: 11 Pitfalls to Family Legacy and How to Avoid Them, by Tom Conway
• Wealth in Families, by Charles W. Collier
• Splitting Heirs: Giving Your Money and Things to Children without Ruining their Lives, by Ron Blue 
• Preparing Heirs: Five Steps to a Successful Transition of Family Wealth and Values, by Roy Williams
• Grandparenting Screen Kids: How to Help, What to Say, and Where to Begin, by Gary Chapman and Arlene Pellicane
• 2023 Planner for Intentional Christian Grandparenting

Caring for parents as they age is an important, final step in Family Ministry. Some of Jesus’ final words on the Cross were directed to help care for His mother. And with this Mile Marker, we will help equip you to care for your aging parents through the challenges that come in health, mobility, memory, family relationships, and other areas.  

Resources: 

• Home-Based Eldercare by Marcia Washburn (Home Based Eldercare (marciawashburn.com)) 

General Recommended Resources 

• Abundant Life Kids parent newsletter/blog 
• Institute of Creation Research: icr.org 
• Answersingenesis.org 

• Rightnowmedia.org 
• Focusonthefamily.com