How can you be more intentional with developing sticky faith in your home? FYI has found that what helps grow faith in children is involvement in intergenerational services and worship. Many times church ministries are separate, with one adult teaching several children about faith. FYI recommends a new 5 to 1 ratio - 5 adults investing in one child. To get faith to stick, a child needs to have five adults who know that child's name and pray for him, who that child can go to in times of need. Parents need to be more intentional in their friendships in order to invest in their kids' faith. "Intergenerational relationships are a little more messy, but worth it," says Dr. Powell.
She suggested several ideas to create your 5:1 group. Look for friends or extended family, leverage adults who already care about your child (teachers, coaches, etc.), and ask your child who she/he likes.
Other ways to create sticky faith:
- Share your own faith (without lecturing). "Share organically and naturally about what God is doing in your life."
- Create a family Highs and Lows game at the dinner table, where each person tells of the high point of their day and the low point. Ask your children, "How did you see God working today?" It's okay if they don't have an answer. They will still hear their parents talking daily about how they see God.
- Ask your child to pray for you, or with you.
- Invite your kids into the spirituality that you already have. For example, start a prayer journal with your child(ren)'s name on top of the page, and tell your kids so they know that you are praying for them.
Some of our MOPS moms had great questions for Dr. Powell. One mom asked how can you help your child keep faith going once he is older and living outside the home? Dr. Powell recommended texting your kid to let him know that you are praying for him. Check back to see what happened after you prayed for him.
Another mom ask if you should share your doubts, or admit if you strayed from Faith in your past. She was afraid that the information may give your child license to stray too. Dr. Powell noted that it was a difficult question to answer, but one thing you can do is ask your close friends for their opinons. Overall, FYI has found that parents and children benefit in faith when sharing more.
Many more helpful tips and answers to questions about Sticky Faith can be found in Dr. Powell's book, Sticky Faith, co-written with Brad M. Griffin and Cheryl A. Crawford, PhD. You can also find more
information at http://fulleryouthinstitute.org/tag/stickyfaith/.
At this MOPS meeting, as with every meeting, we played a couple of Minute to Win It games. This time Meredith's table won Ping Pong Tic Tac Toe, and received an offer for a free spray tan from sponsor Amie Hanrahan ($20 value). It's a perfect prize now that Autumn is upon us. Jen Gowen's table scored in a game involving bouncing ping pong balls into a small popcorn tub. They won three free "boot camp" exercise classes from sponsor Dene Shulze-Alva (a $30 value). They've gotta keep those ping-pong-throwing arms in shape!
Our Prayer & Care coordinator Krys then introduced Catherine Budincich, a long-term volunteer at Elizabeth House. Catherine explained that Elizabeth House takes in eight pregnant, unwed moms at a time, and prepares them for motherhood and life. The moms are given parenting and counseling classes. Elizabeth House also helps the moms with getting their diplomas, jobs and transitional housing. The moms are also offered bible study and cooking classes, and given a Mentor Mom to help them during pregnancy. This year, PazNaz MOPS will help Elizabeth House in providing one of their moms with a baby shower. MOPS moms can donate a baby shower gift, and are also invited to attend the shower. Please see Upcoming Events for more information.
Krys also wants to remind MOPS moms to turn in their Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes at our next meeting on November 4th. Please don't forget to include $7 for shipping! Please see Upcoming Events for more information.
Also at our November 4th meeting, Kathy Larson will be telling us ways to discuss the Birds & the Bees with our kids. Kathy is an RN who also teaches health classes to middle school students in several public and private schools in the San Gabriel Valley. See you at next MOPS!
Multi-tasking moms listening and rocking their little ones! |