Intentional Faith PathPlan
Child’sName:
Howwillyoubeintentionalthisnextyear?
D Praydailyforandwithmychild.
DConsistentlyspendtimeinGod’sWordwithmychild.
D Bless my childdaily.
DScheduleandhaveregularfamilytimes.
D Createahabitofworshipwithmychild.
DScheduleatimetoservetogetherasafamily.
D
ThenextstepontheFaithPathisPreparingforAdolescence,recommendedatageeleven.WewillofferafreePreparingforAdolescence kit to guide you.
RecommendedResources
77WaysYourFamilyCanMakeaDifferencebyPennyA.ZellerYourKidsCanMasterTheirMoneybyRonandJudyBlue,JeremyWhite
FinancialPeaceJuniorbyDaveRamsey
Giving &Serving
Teach Your Child to Make aDifference
Godblessesandentrustseachofuswithgifts,talentsandresources.Lookforopportunitiestoteachyourchildtobeagoodsteward oftheseblessingsfromtheLordinawaythatwillhonorandglorifyHim.
Giving
FollowersofJesusgiveaportionoftheirincometomeettheneedsofGod'sworkandotherpeopleasanactofobedienceandworship. InGenesis28:10-22weseeJacobmakingavowtotheLord,worshippingHimandgivingtenpercent(alsocalledatithe)backtoGod.
Inreality,teachingchildrenaboutmoneythroughtithesandofferingsisnotaboutgivingtoGod.ItisaboutremindingourselvesthatwearedependentupontheOnewhogivesallgoodgiftsandthatwearemerestewards rather than owners. Giving reflects obedience, showing that weloveaGodwhoisworthytobeobeyedinallareasoflife. Itisalsoanopportunityto participate insomethingbiggerthan ourselves with eternalvalue.
Model It: Start by putting into practice the disciplines you want yourchildtolearn. Thismaymeantakingstepstobecomeabetterstewardofyourfamily’sfinances. Letyourchildseethatyoufirstgivemoneytowardtithing,thensavingsandsoon.In2Corinthians9:7theBiblesays“Soleteachonegiveashepurposesinhisheart,notgrudginglyorof necessity; for God loves a cheerfulgiver.”
Teach It: If your child receives money from an allowance, jobs or gifts,takethetimetohelphimorherdividethemoneywisely. Agoodplacetostartistosetaside10%forgiving,10%forsavingsand80%forspendingonotheractivitiesanditems. UsetheRollinginMoneyactivitycardandstickersincludedwiththiskittomakeyourownboxestohelpthemstartthe habit of goodstewardship.
Serving
Inadditiontofinancial resources,Godhasalsoentrusteduswithgifts,talentsandtime.Asbelievers wehavethegreatopportunitytoworshipandglorifyGodthroughthespiritualdisciplineofservice. Help yourchilddiscovertheiruniquegiftsandexplorehowtheymightusethosegiftstoglorifyHim.UsetheAssessingYourChild’sSpiritual Giftstoolincludedwiththiskittogetstartedandthenfindwaystoexperienceserving together. A few simple suggestionsinclude…
•SharedPassion:Spendsometimetalkingwithyourchildaboutthethingsthatinterestandconcernhimorher.Itwillbemoremeaningfulifyoushareapassionforthespecificareaofservice.
•Good Fit: Help your child find good serving options. It can be assimpleasbakingcookiesforahomeboundneighbororitcanbeanextendedservingtimesuchasamissiontripor meetingaparticularneedonaregularbasis.
•SetExpectations:Putyourchildmoreateasebyexplainingwhattoexpect.Ifvisitinganursinghome,forexample,explainheorshemayencounteroddsights,soundsandsmells.
•BuildYourRelationships:Takenoteofwhat yourchilddoeswellwhileserving.Intentionallyencouragehimorherbysaying youareproudofhowtheydemonstratedagreatattitudeorareaofstrength.
•BeSafe:Keepacloseeyeononeanother,especiallychildren/teensifservinginunfamiliarsettings.
•Talk AboutIt: Ask questions when you finish serving togethersuchas“Whatkindofdifferencedidyou/wemake?”“Whywasitimportanttodothisproject?”“Howdiditimpactthoseyouserved?”and“Howdiditimpactyou/yourfamily?”
•Pray:Takeafewminutestopray,askingGodtoblessthoseyouserved.