Family Faith Formation
The task of religious socialization and faith formation falls almost entirely to two communities today. First are family households where parents do the primary socializing. Family religious socialization has always been the foundation for the development of faith and faith practices, and for participation in church life and worship. Second are religious congregations where the whole community, but especially faithful adults, can exert socializing influences on children and youth. These are the two critical contexts for the faith formation of children and youth in America today. Christian Smith observers, “If formation in faith does not happen there, it will—with rare exceptions—not happen anywhere".
First, churches can strengthen family religious socialization, especially in the first decade of life—by nurturing a vibrant faith in parents and equipping them with the skills and tools for developing faith at home.
Second, churches can develop the home as a center of faith formation by promoting foundational family faith practices: caring conversations, rituals and traditions, prayer, Bible reading, and service.
Third, churches can educate and equip parents to embed foundational faith practices into the daily experience of family life. Once again, Christian Smith and the National Study on Youth and Religion point out that the evidence clearly shows that the single most important social influence on the religious and spiritual lives of adolescents is their parents.
Fourth, churches can engage families more fully in the life and ministries of the church community. Fifth, churches can strengthen the partnership between home and congregation to focus on empowering, resourcing, and supporting the development of the family as the center of faith formation.
For strategies and ideas for "Family Faith Formation" read the section from Chapter 4 of Faith Formation 2020, pages 133-139.
First, churches can strengthen family religious socialization, especially in the first decade of life—by nurturing a vibrant faith in parents and equipping them with the skills and tools for developing faith at home.
Second, churches can develop the home as a center of faith formation by promoting foundational family faith practices: caring conversations, rituals and traditions, prayer, Bible reading, and service.
Third, churches can educate and equip parents to embed foundational faith practices into the daily experience of family life. Once again, Christian Smith and the National Study on Youth and Religion point out that the evidence clearly shows that the single most important social influence on the religious and spiritual lives of adolescents is their parents.
Fourth, churches can engage families more fully in the life and ministries of the church community. Fifth, churches can strengthen the partnership between home and congregation to focus on empowering, resourcing, and supporting the development of the family as the center of faith formation.
For strategies and ideas for "Family Faith Formation" read the section from Chapter 4 of Faith Formation 2020, pages 133-139.
Foundational Articles
- Best Practices in Family Faith Formation - Lifelong Faith Journal
- The Rule of Family Faith - Bonnie Miller McLemore
- Family Daily Living Faith Practices - Christy Olson
- Family Formation with Families in Today's Church - Leif Kehrwald
- Faith Formation with Hispanic Families - Ida Miranda
| best_practices_in_family_faith_formation.pdf |
| the_rule_of_family_faith_-_miller-mclemore.pdf |
| family_daily_living_faith_practices_-_olson.pdf |
| faith_formation_with_families_in_todays_church_-_kehrwald.pdf |
| faith_formation_with_hispanic_families_-_miranda.pdf |
Practices & Approaches
Milestones Resources
- Faith Stepping Stones. Faith Inkubators. (www.faithink.com)
- Family Faith Celebrations. Loveland: Group, 2010. (http://familyfaithcelebrations.group.com)
- Hater, Bob. Journeys of Discovery: Transitions, Rites of Passage, and the Sacramental Life of Faith. New London: Twenty-Third Publications, 2009.
- Haynes, Brian. Shift—What It Takes to Finally Reach Families Today. Loveland: Group, 2009.
- Holmen, Mark and Dave Teixeira. Take It Home: Inspiration and Events to Help Parents Spiritual Transform Their Children (with CD-ROM). Ventura: Gospel Light, 2008.
- Keeley, Laura and Robert Keeley. Celebrating the Milestones of Faith. Grand Rapids: Faith Alive, 2009.
- Legacy Milestones (Brian Haynes): www.legacymilestones.com
- Milestones Ministry Manual for Home and Congregation. Bloomington: Vibrant Faith Ministries, 2007. (www.vibrantfaith.org)
Milestones Articles
- Passing on Faith: Milestone to Milestone - Linda Staats
- One Home at a Time - Jennifer Hooks
| passing_on_faith-milestone_to_milestone_-_staats.pdf |
| one_home_at_a_time_-_hooks.pdf |
Faith Practices
Living Well: Christian Practices for Everyday Life. Naugatuck: LifelongFaith Associates, 2009
Living Well presents twelve essential practices for a Christian way of life: Caring for the Body, Celebrating Life, Discernment, Dying Well, Eating Well, Forgiving, Keeping Sabbath, Managing Household Life, Participating in Community, Praying, Reading the Bible, and Transforming the World. Written for adults, parents, and families to use in learning about and living Christian practices, each chapter presents the Biblical foundation of the Christian practice and a variety of practical suggestions for living the practice and how to make it an integral part of everyday life.
Family Learning Programs
Parents
Living Well: Christian Practices for Everyday Life. Naugatuck: LifelongFaith Associates, 2009
Living Well presents twelve essential practices for a Christian way of life: Caring for the Body, Celebrating Life, Discernment, Dying Well, Eating Well, Forgiving, Keeping Sabbath, Managing Household Life, Participating in Community, Praying, Reading the Bible, and Transforming the World. Written for adults, parents, and families to use in learning about and living Christian practices, each chapter presents the Biblical foundation of the Christian practice and a variety of practical suggestions for living the practice and how to make it an integral part of everyday life.
- Churches, schools, and religious organizations have permission to reprint individual chapters from Living Well for educational use only within their church or organization.Churches and religious organizations have permission to reprint the Living Well learning activities and small group study guides for educational use only within their church or organization. Each learning activity and study guide comes in two formats: Microsoft Word and PDF.
- Download individual chapters from the Lifelong Faith website as well as learning activities and study guides. Go to www.lifelongfaith.com.
Family Learning Programs
- Martineau, Mariette, Joan Weber, and Leif Kehrwald. Intergenerational Faith Formation: All Ages Learning Together. New London: Twenty-Third, 2008.
- Merhaut, Jim. Your Catholic Family—Simple Ways to Share Faith at Home. Jim Merhaut. Cincinnati: St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2006.
Parents
- Parents Best Practices in Parent Faith Formation - Jim Merhaut
- Making Parents a Priority - Gene Roehlkepartain
- Coaching Parents - Bill Huebsch. Website for Coaching Parents: www.pastoralplanning.com/Partnership-Parents.html
- Helping Parents Lead Their Children Biblically - Brian Haynes
- Equipping Parents to Be Spiritual Champions in Their Homes - Pat Springle
- ParentFurther - parent newsletter from the Search Institute: Website for ParentFurther: www.parentfurther.com
| best_practices_in_parent_faith_formation.pdf |
| making_parents_a_priority_-_roehlkepartain.pdf |
| coaching_parents_-_huebsch.pdf |
| helping_parents_lead_their_children_biblically_-_haynes.pdf |
| equipping_parents-springle.pdf |
Family & Parent Resources
- Anderson, David W. From the Great Omission to Vibrant Faith: Renewing the Role of the Home in Renewing the Church. Bloomington: Vibrant Faith, 2009.
- Anthony, Michelle. Spiritual Parenting: An Awakening for Today's Families. Colorado Springs: David C. Cook, 2010. (Book and DVD Curriculum) For information and video overview go to the David C. Cooke website.
- Anderson, David W. Vibrant Faith in the Congregation. Bloomington: Vibrant Faith, 2011.
- Burns, Jim. Building Blocks for a Solid Family. Ventura: Regal Books, 2010.
- Caldwell, Elizabeth. Making a Home for Faith: Nurturing the Spiritual Life of Your Children. Elizabeth Caldwell. Cleveland: Pilgrim, 2007.
- Campbell. Jim. 52 Simple Ways to Talk with Your Kids about Faith. Chicago: Loyola Press, 2007.
- Haynes, Brian. Shift—What It Takes to Finally Reach Families Today. Loveland: Group, 2009.
- Haynes, Brian. The Legacy Path: Discover Intentional Spiritual Parenting. Nashville: Randall House, 2011.
- Huebsch, Bill and Leisa Anslinger. Great Expectations: A Pastoral Guide for Parenting with Parents. New London: Twenty-Third Publications, 2010.
- Keeley, Robert J. Shaped by God: Twelve Essential Practices for Nurturing Faith in Children, Youth, and Adults. Grand Rapids: Faith Alive, 2010.
- Kehrwald, Leif, editor. Families and Faith: A Vision and Practice for Parish Leaders. New London: Twenty-Third, 2006.
- Robinson, David. The Busy Family’s Guide to Spirituality: Practical Lessons for Modern Living from the Monastic Tradition. New York: Crossroad, 2009.
- Roehlkepartain, Jolene and Eugene. Embracing Parents: How Your Congregation Can Strengthen Families. Nashville: Abingdon, 2004.
- Wigger, Bradley. The Power of God at Home. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2003.
Websites
Catholic Mom: http://catholicmom.com
Faith Inkubators: www.faithink.com
Family Matters (Susan Vogt): http://susanvogt.net
Fashioning Faith (Center for Ministry Development): www.cmdnet.org
Home Word: www.homeword.com
Legacy Milestones (Brian Haynes): www.legacymilestones.com
MOPS - Mothers of Preschoolers: www.mops.org
Parent Further (Search Institute): www.parentfurther.com
Search Institute: www.search-institute.org
Tumblon Website (helps parents understand and nurture their children's growth): http://tumblon.com
Vibrant Faith Ministries: www.vibrantfaith.org
Zero to Three (health and development of infants and toddlers): www.zerotothree.org
