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know all the answers. It’s the same with God. Likewise, we can point out where
God answers our prayers and where God works in our world. If you have trouble seeing it yourself, ask your kids where they saw God today. Oſt en the answers are inspiring and moving. When you are in the car, ask your
children about Sunday school or a worship service. Or tell a story about Jesus. Say a prayer for the ambulance that passes by. Pray before meals and at bed-
time. At the dinner table, share your “blessings” and “burdens” as a family—parts of your day that were wonderful and things that challenged you. Read a Bible story at bedtime.
Give your child a baptismal bless- ing each night: “(Child’s name), child of God, Jesus loves you and so do I.” Ask your children for prayer requests, and then pray them together. T ese don’t take much time, but
parents need to be willing to take the lead. Start the habits of faith in your children and in yourself. Point to God in your lives. Welcome our Lord as part of daily, family life, not just during Sunday morning worship. What relationship do you want
your children to have with God when they grow up? T at is the relationship we must model now. Trains go where their tracks lead. We lay the tracks for our child’s faith life. So where are you leading them?
Author bio: Paul is a director of Chris- tian education and mother of two living in Minnesota.
Favorite family faith resources T
hough parents are the pri- mary people to pass faith on to their children, they aren’t
asked to do it alone. Numerous resources can help. T e fi rst place to start is with your congregation. What kind of take-home materi- als can it provide that relate to Sunday school or worship each week? What kind of family activi- ties can it lead or suggest to spark faith conversations? Beyond your congregation,
there are a host of good books and free resources. Here are some of my favorites: • Vibrant Faith@Home (www.
vibrantfaithathome.org): Fam- ily devotions, conversations, prayers and interactive ideas for families to talk and learn about
God together. Great options for seasons, life events, holidays and everyday life. • Th e Spark Story Bible (http://
wearesparkhouse.org/kids/ spark/bibles): A good children’s Bible helps introduce the Scrip- tures in narrative and accessible ways. A favorite is the Spark Story Bible, which chooses great stories to share and includes bright, colorful illustrations. • Family Faith Walks (www.cph. org/p-411-family-faith-walks. aspx): T is book, by Concordia Publishing House, has a year full of walks that your family can do with tie-ins to faith. It’s great for a kinesthetic learner or if you are an active family together. Elizabeth Morgenstern Paul
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