Group 1 notes:  via Sheila

Notes:  What values and principles have our parents and grandparents passed down to us?  What have we passed on to our children?

• Dad is not perfect but God is
• Importance of attending church as a family regularly – can’t skip out as kids or teens or allow them to
• Marrying a committed Christian
• God loves them/kids more than we do
• No matter how much the kids say they hate us, we say we love them and God loves them more
• Parents made church important and serving in the Church is important – very few reasons why we didn’t go to church as kids.
• We learned to take care of the church and church building
• Parents were active in the church
• Grandparents go to church even on vacation
• Parents/Grandparents not Christians still have value for kids as a safe place for friends
• Dad was so loving toward kids that she could see God as loving and could easily have a relationship with a loving Heavenly Father.
• Instill in kids that Jesus is our savior – we (as parents) need a savior
• We model as our relationship together what we want our kids to hear/see. Kids can see what their parents do.
• Show kids the right model – point them to good models in the church
• Model that being a Believer and follower of Christ is their own choice no matter what their background is or whether or not their parents are Christians.

 Do you have instructional time?  Prayer time?

• Pray in carpool to school
• Devotions and prayer before home school
• Talk about salvation
• Family prayer time around meals
• Appreciate when kids pray for one another
• Tender short prayers – even short prayers show where your heart is
• Watched Dad read Bible before bed
• Comforting to know that grandparents constantly pray
• Pray so kids see us praying
• Power of a praying parent
• Just pray with kids as a habit – out loud prayers
• Pray in a different position – pray on your knees
• As kids get older, they want more separation time, more independence
• Ask your teen – “can I pray for you tonight?” and go in to pray with the kids – not every day, but throughout week.
• Get a book that everyone can talk about – talk about spiritual issues “23 Minutes in Hell.” – all teens in the family.
• Family vacation focused on Christian Living – such as Word of Life or Camp Spofford.
• Laugh – whatever it takes
• Family movies (End of the Spear)
• Sharing God’s power in our lives
• Pointing out other Christians
• Realize we aren’t alone!