Parents need simple, quick faith-builders to help kids put Jesus first. Here are 12 tools you can share with parents to bring Jesus to the forefront of their children’s lives.

Quick Faith Builders for Parents: 12 Methods to Put Jesus First

1. Get the Word Out

Any time you find a helpful article or idea, attach this note to a copy of it: “Thanks for sharing your child with us. We know the spiritual welfare of your child is very important to you. Attached are simple ideas you can use with your child at home. Let us know the most helpful way we can partner with you and your family.” (Note: You may need to contact the article’s publisher or author to get permission to reprint.)

2. Ask Me

Create stickers kids can wear home that say, “Ask me the Bible Point!” Encourage parents to ask their kids about the lessons, activities, and crafts they did during class.

3. Mealtime Prayers

Many parents race through fast-food windows to keep their kids’ bellies from grumbling on-the-go. Encourage parents to make a habit of thanking God for meals no matter where they’re eating—even in the car. Kids and parents can take turns saying a special prayer of thanks wherever they are.

4. Hello and Goodbye

Provide parents with a craft kit to make a cross. Have them hang the cross near their front door where it’s clearly visible. As parents and children leave and enter their homes, they’ll be reminded to say a prayer of thanks for Christ’s sacrifice.

5. The After-Church Report

Encourage families to begin a new after-church tradition. On the way home, family members will take turns telling one thing they learned at church that day, one thing they enjoyed, and one thing they didn’t understand or want to learn more about. This new tradition will help solidify lessons learned, give parents the opportunity to answer their kids’ questions (or figure out together how to get the answers), and give families a chance to find out what everyone is experiencing at church.

6. “Fortunate” Cookie Recipe

Give parents a simple, laminated recipe card for cookies they can make with their children. Attach a tube of icing to each card and include this note: “Each time you make these cookies with your family, use the icing to write one thing you’re all thankful for on your cookies. Pray together, thanking God for his care and generosity.”

7. Prayer Package

Create a family devotion basket kids can take turns taking home each week. Collect or write enough family devotions for families to do one or two daily for a week. Alternate the devotions when every child has taken home the basket, and include seasonal and holiday devotions when possible.

8. Good News

Design a send-home newsletter each week for kids to share with their families. Include a review of the lessons you’ve taught, extension activities for families, and resources for faith-building.

9. One Book, One Church

Start a reading project in your children’s ministry. Have your volunteers and ministers select a book monthly for all the families in your ministry to read at the same time. Then bring the families together in discussion groups or online chats.

10. The Greatest Gift

Give each family in your ministry a family-friendly Bible and a yearlong calendar plan to read different selections from their Bible. A great Bible that includes devotions, fun facts, and other activities is the Hands-On Bible (Group Publishing, Inc.).

11. Make a Point

Publish a weekly “Lesson Point” in your church bulletin that explains what kids are learning in your children’s ministry. Encourage parents to discuss the point with their kids.

12. Extend the Lesson

Go high-tech and create an online page where parents can access easy-to-do “Lesson Extenders” to use during the week that help drive home your classroom lesson and give families opportunities to learn together.

These great tools can help you connect with families in ways that help them connect with Jesus! Win win!

You can carry that success through your entire year of family ministry with the fantastic resources in Team Family. Created by your friends at Group (with the help of families and family champions and experts), Team Family delivers ideas, activities, conversational connecting points, and more to easily plug into your ministry plan. And in carefully curated ways that naturally fit into the everyday lives of today’s families.

Looking for more ideas for families? Check out these articles!