Pandemic ministry taught us to get creative. Brown bags became bridges—simple ways to carry faith from church to home. We hosted Tuesday drive-thrus, summer drive-ins, and sent families home with resources for everything from Faith Milestones to Advent favorites like A Charlie Brown Christmas to special moments across the church year.

And honestly? The brown bags stuck.

As part of last week’s Children’s Moment, we handed out Family Prayer Walk Bags—because after the 40 days of Lent and the joy of Easter Sunday, the question naturally follows: Now what do we do as followers of Jesus?

We talked about how, after encountering Jesus, even the wise men “went home a different way.” That invitation still stands for us. Then we read from Matthew 28—when Jesus appeared to His disciples. Scripture says some worshiped… and some doubted. Doubted? After everything they had seen?

A closer look at that word ‘doubted’ reveals something comforting: it can also mean they hesitated. Even the disciples needed a moment—and a little prompting—to step into what came next. So we asked the same question together: Now what?

Each bag was filled with simple, hands-on tools to help families live their faith out loud:

  • Mini Jesus figurines – to leave behind or share as reminders that Jesus is with us
  • Glow sticks – to remember to be the light wherever we go
  • “I ♥ Jesus” flag – a bold, joyful way to say, “I love Jesus!” in everyday places
  • Prayer walk guide – simple instructions for praying as a family wherever your feet go
  • Sidewalk chalk – to write Jesus’ name on sidewalks, driveways, and spaces we pass through

The prayer walk guide was inspired by a simple idea using the word WALK—an easy way to help families pray as they move through their neighborhoods, ball fields, and daily routines:

Now what? We tell people about Jesus. We proclaim His goodness and faithfulness to His people with stories told around tables, when we rise up, when we go to bed, and as we walk along the roads. (Deuteronomy 6) A Family Prayer Walk gets us outside, together, and grows our boldness muscles.

We tell the Good News:

  • He came
  • He died for our sins
  • He rose on the third day
  • He appeared to more than 500 and His brother, James
  • He returned to His Father to send a helper, the Holy Spirit (The Father makes all things, The Son sets us free, The Holy Spirit brings help to me)
  • And He is coming back again

And we don’t just tell with words.

We tell with our lives—
with flags and chalk,
with prayers and conversations especially where we live,
with glow sticks and acts of bold courage,
with songs, laughter, and love.

We live like people who have had an encounter with Jesus. We equip our families to ‘go a different way.’

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9