Family TimeWelcome to this important step along your child’s Faith Path. Let’s start by watching this fun, video showing what we DO and DON’T mean by Family Time.
Family Time in Brief
WHAT: When your child reaches about four years old, it is a great time to establish a pattern of including fun family times in your schedule to foster communication, laughter and faith formation.
WHY: It is important to have a consistent routine of creating intentional moments that will help your family deepen relationships and have faith discussions. Regularly scheduled family time activities are a great way to make that happen.
WHEN: For some families this might be a particular night of the week after dinner. For another family it might be after Saturday morning breakfast. Decide what works for your unique schedule and then protect that time. You might need to say “no” to some good things to make family times a priority. We suggest scheduling a family time experience weekly, but no less than twice per month. Setting and keeping a regular schedule will show commitment and value to all involved.
THE PLAN: Plan for success by finding resources to help make your family times a great experience. This program will provide several ideas to help you get started and recommend where you can find other great ideas. As your child gets older, ask them if there are specific topics they would like to make a part of your time together and let them help plan your activities. Don’t forget that the Bible is the most important resource God has given us to instill truth in the hearts and minds of our children.
Other Suggestions
Let’s consider a few practical ways you can begin blessing your child.
Pick a family verse that you want to memorize and say together. Make up or use some fun games to learn the verse.
Share with your child something that God has been or is teaching you. Cook a meal together and use the time for sharing and talking.
Take time to ask each member of the family to share his or her “high” and “low” of the day.
Go on a family walk and spend the time praying for each other, the neighbors or others. Capture family prayer requests using a prayer chart or on a refrigerator white board.
Create impromptu “God-moments” by taking advantage of unplanned and unscheduled opportunities to discuss your faith in the daily routine of life.
Getting Started
Protect a day and time and let your child mark it on the family calendar to help build anticipation.
Pick a Family Time theme song to gather everyone together. Spend a little time singing, silly dancing, swinging the kids, etc. to get everyone in the mood for the best part of the week!
Use the GOD IS THERE activity to test-drive a fun activity together.
Helpful Tools
Take advantage of these resources as you begin the Family Time routine in your home.
Your Child’s Next Step
As children get older, they become ready for additional steps along the Faith Path. Set a calendar reminder for your child’s next birthday to return to this page to select their next step.
Thank you for becoming intentional about guiding your child’s faith journey!