1. Parent’s Beginners Guide to Faith Formation
Presented by: Melinda Shunk Arkansas Methodist Conference Children’s Coordinator

2. The Sacrament of Baptism is the beginning; it is not the end!
Pastor addresses parents:
In Christ holy Church,
That by teaching and example they may be guided to accept God’s grace for themselves, to profess their faith openly, and to lead Christian life?
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3. Teaching & Example Deuteronomy 6:4-7 directs parents.
Children model and observe all spoken and unspoken family norms around faith.
Live your faith out loud!
No need to be a Bible Scholar!

4. The pastor addresses the sponsors:
Will you who sponsor this candidate support and encourage them in their Christian life?

5. Support & Encourage Sponsors are not legal guardians.
Sponsors mark milestones.
Sponsors attend events.
Sponsors create one on one moments with your child.

6. The Pastor Addresses the congregation:
Do you as Christ’s body, the Church, reaffirm both your rejection of sin and your commitment to Christ?
We DO
Will you nurture one another in Christian faith and life and include these persons now before you in your care?

7. Nurture in Christian Faith
Church is your place of worship together.
Church is the place you and your children equip your Faith.
Church is your family outside the walls of your home.

8. Easy Faith Formation Ideas to add to your Parenting Toolbox!

9. Prayer Dinner prayer! Bedtime prayer!
Prayer does not have to be hands together head bowed.
Adult praying out loud to model.
Pray out loud for your children.

10. Traditional Faith Practices
Ash Wednesday, Lent, Holy Week, Easter, Advent, Christmas
Serving others as family.
Family meals used as a time to talk about where you saw God today.
Lighting their baptism candle or touching water and reminding them that they are children of God.
Give each other a blessing on forehead.
Sunday evening family devotional.
Going on nature walks and pointing out God’s creation.

11. Godly Play
Great Board books of faith mixed in with all books.

12. Little People Noahs Ark & Nativity sets…

13. Phone Apps and videos

14. Music
Car
Home
Bedtime routine
Play

15. Just to get you started…
as you pass on your faith!

16. Extra Faith Formation Small Group Challenge