Generational Discipleship is best shared in partnership with families at church AND at home. How do we get resources in the hands of family leads (grandparents, parents, caregivers, teachers, coaches, etc.) for various age levels with various time schedules? One size does not fit all and one resource doesn’t help all.

The Family Resource Wall is the place where we can generously offer resources for families as they go. (Deuteronomy 6:7) The Family Resource Wall is located just outside the Children’s Welcome Center at the bottom of the stairs at the Children’s entrance to the building. It was built by the Junior Trustees (3rd-5th grade Power Tools Class) from wooden pallet remnants. 

We choose what goes on the wall by what’s in our hand. (Exodus 4:2)
* Leftover books shared at Parenting With A Purpose classes
* Extra books I pick up from children’s ministry trainings/conferences
* A senior pastor’s library of books he didn’t take when he retired
* Pictures of Jesus with kids of varied ages

Only one copy goes in a basket at a time and we refill as resources are taken.

Three resources are constant:

  1. A Children’s Bible or Adult Bible – A preschooler’s Bible is written at a 7th grade reading level, so we look for colorful images in a child’s Bible or a red-letter edition (if it’s red, Jesus said…) Even used, a Bible is a true gift.
  2. Are My Kids on Track: The 12 Emotional, Social and Spiritual Milestones Your Child Needs to Reach by Sissy Goff, David Thomas, and Melissa Travathan – This trio of experts operate the Daystar Counseling Center in Nashville, TN. Their Christian resources are plentiful for kids and families and super practical. They also offer incredible teaching in their Instagram stories and podcasts. Jesus is our savior and parents can do this!
  3. Discipleship Begins at Home Blueprint – This developmentally-appropriate blueprint leads families on a discipleship pathway for families with infants through young adults. If the task of the local church is to equip the saints for Godly works, parents and caregivers are the greatest disciple-makers ever. This apologetics resource (defense of the faith in Christianity) is provided by The Next Generation Ministry which exists to equip parents to help them disciple their children into mature, robust believers in Christ. Beyond the Bible, this resource was a free resource offered at the Discipleship Begins at Home online conference sponsored by Women in Apologetics. 

How are you resourcing your families to point their kids to Jesus ‘as they go’? What would go on your wall?

“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” Hebrews 13:15-16