The Childhood Spiritual Formation Toolbox is a production of Central United Methodist Church Traverse City, in conjunction with the Michigan Conference of The United Methodist Church and the Northern Waters District.
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Lessons for Life Toolbox
Churches and families have an opportunity and responsibility to guide faith growth and make it relevant to life. What can we learn from the people in the Bible about God? How does our faith impact our character? How can faith help us to cope when hard things come our way? This toolbox includes ideas, links, and resources for young people, grown ups who care for them, and congregations. You will find ways to help support faith development for kids with diverse needs and experiences.
For Grown-ups
Equipping You
Not sure where to start?
- Learn about trauma, consider your own trauma and how your experience impacts your parenting (resource from NCTSN)
- Learn about how different ages reaction to a traumatic event (resource from NCTSN)
- Make a list of “lessons from life” that you want to make sure to talk with your kids about. Take time to think about, resource, or talk with other trusted friends about.
Empowering You
Feeling overwhelmed?
- Listen to your kids. What is happening in their life that demands your attention? Who do you need for support? Who do your kids need for support?
- Trusted parenting resources
- PBS for Parents
- First Things First Parent Resources
- Healthy Media & Tech Use from Common Sense
- Your list…
Encouraging You
You got this! You are enough!
With Kids
Read
- List of Books that Teach Important Life Lessons
- Little Mole Finds Hope by Glenys Nellist
- A Beginner’s Guide to Being Human by Matt Forrest Esenwine
- God Made All Your Feelings by Amanda Flinn
- How to Train Your Pet Brain by Nelly Buchet
- The Boy with Big, Big Feelings by Britney Winn Lee
Emotions of Life
Talk about emotions as a family – the fun ones and the hard ones. Use the playlists below as a guide.
Conversations from Sesame Street
With special thanks to Brittany Sky McRay for creating these discussion starters for families
Congregation Resources
Worship
- Incorporate the joys and hard things of life in sermons, music, children’s messages, prayers, etc.
- Read children’s books
Supporting Parents & Caregivers
- Understand the needs and demands of parents and caregivers and ask what they need
- Provide resources (people, books, articles, etc.) for parents and caregivers
Building Connections to Home
- Provide a children’s library with books that families can borrow that address lessons of life.
- Make relevant connections between Bible stories and life and provide resources for families at home.