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Reaching Families (while reaching kids). Why Families ? --Story of a young girl --Families you know? --Global and local realities: state of families What are YOUR dreams for families?. BIBLICAL FOUNDATIONS God created families (Genesis 2, 3)
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Reaching Families (while reaching kids)
Why Families? --Story of a young girl --Families you know? --Global and local realities: state of families What are YOUR dreams for families?
BIBLICAL FOUNDATIONS • God created families (Genesis 2, 3) • 2) Families are the best place for people to grow in faith (Duet 6:1-7) • 3) Church is comprised of families (a child’s first “church”) (Acts 16:1, 15, 34) • 4) The history of “God’s people” is always in the hands of families (Abraham, Jacob, Moses, David, Jesus, Disciples; Psalm 78:1-6;Acts 2:38-39) • 5) GOD’S DREAMS: He wants whole families to know, love, follow Him (Acts 16:30; Psalm 22:27)
What are your biggest questions, challenges in reaching out to unbelieving families? • Children who don’t behave like Christians • 2) Unhealthy families and/or relationship skills • Different parenting values • Anger, wounded, fearful, “baggage” • Unkind, ungrateful, unsupportive, meddlesome • 3) Sometimes WE are the problem • Are we prepared for the culture clash? And the questions? • What is our attitude? Is it showing? • Do we have wisdom, boundaries, common sense?
What are your biggest questions, challenges in reaching out to unbelieving families? (continued) • 4) Children from unbelieving families want Christ • What about conversion, telling parents, etc.? • Bibles? Church going? Baptism? • How will they grow? • 5) Issues of follow up and ongoing presence • This is all about relationships and process (not a project or program) • How will you be “present”? • 6) Other?
Physical -Practical Mental-Educational Social-Emotional Spiritual-Inspirational No direct contact i Brief contact i Some interaction i Initial friendship i Ongoing relationship i Commitment- personal involvement • How can we better engage families? • Requires “holistic” approach • A scale of engagement: What keeps us from engaging with families more?
How can we better engage families? • (some practical ideas) • Share information through kids • Offer invitations/welcome parents to gatherings • Listen (informal, calls/visits and/or surveys for interests) • 4) Invite families to help/support in various ways • Believe-belong? • Or Belong-believe? • 5) Offer to meet a need (programs to help parents?)
Important questions to ask: • 1) What is your capacity for relationship? • How can you increase this, if needed? • 1for50 versus 50for1 • 2) What is God asking you to do? (or NOT do?) • 3) Why is this so hard? • It is real kingdom work • It is real mission • Transformation is always messy
Rediscovering 4 powerful models for reaching families • MODEL 1: Be a good NEIGHBOR • The power of one • MODEL 2: Be a good CITIZEN • The power of goodness and kindness • MODEL 3: Be the CHURCH • The power of UNITY (and WE) • MODEL 4: Pray (then listen and obey) • The power of GOD to lead, guide and transform! • Acts 16 – it will look different, be messy
Models, Ideas & Resources • Who is reaching families? • Parachurch Programs: AWANA, social services, parenting classes, ESL, tutoring, “move in” help, prison ministries, special needs (Key Ministry) etc. • Neighbors: moving into the neighborhood, schools, the kids, etc. • Churches: AWANA, MOPS, Visitation, community events, etc. • Prayer Groups: Cityreaching groups, Mom’s in Prayer, prayer networks, praying grandmas, etc. • Other?
CONCLUSION: • Do you really believe that Jesus changes lives? • (kids and their families?) • What is God asking you to do?