Supporting Parents in Biblical Literacy
Susan Hinton and Chad King
© Augsburg Fortress, 2010
Session Goals
• Explore the needs that parents have in regards to building biblical literacy with their children
• Leave with three specific ideas that you can use to support parents in your congregation
The Ideal Parent
Identify your “ideal” parent
• 5-6 characteristics
• Who in your ministry embodies those attributes?
What is your role?
• CED’s are managers
• Good managers help others grow by– equipping– empowering– encouraging
Equipping
• What does it mean to be equipped?
Equipping
• A well-equipped parent has the necessary tools to support the faith development of their child
• To equip the parents, we need to know the context of the those to whom we minister
Parent #1 – Sally
• Actively and willing involved with and engaged in church life since she was a child
• Connected to the congregation through many vital relationships with others at church
• Has taught Sunday School for several years• Actively facilitates her own child(ren)’s
involvement in church activities
ENMESHED
Parent #2 – Mike
• Has been involved with church, but only as much as was absolutely required by his parents
• Left church after confirmation• Started attending church after children were
born• Few of his own activities or interests connect
him to the church
BORDER
Parent #3 – Teresa
• May or may not have grown up connected to church life
• Children attend regardless of parental involvement
• Not connected or involved with the church directly at all
UNPLUGGED
Equipping
• What skills do parents need to be effective as they support the biblical literacy of their child?
• What do you already do to equip your parents with these skills?
Equipping - Ideas
• Consider a parent’s retreat
• Support parents in their own biblical literacy
• Provide additional relevant material to parents throughout the year
Equipping
• Write down one thing you can do to better equip your parents.
Empowering
• What does it mean to be empowered?
Empowering
• Providing the power your parents need to be more effective
Empowering
• Provide opportunities for parents to learn from one another
• Connect teachers and parents
• Provide support to them in worship settings
• Pray for them
Empowering
• What do you already do to empower your parents?
• Write down one thing you can do to better empower your parents.
Encouraging
• providing the recognition and feedback that help refresh and sustain parents over time.
Encouraging
1. Who was the person that encouraged you?
2. How has that encouragement impacted you?
Encouraging
• Celebrate the parent/church relationship throughout the year
• Affirm the contributions of each parent
Empowering
• Write down one thing you can do to better encourage your parents.