Crossroads Spiritual Formation Series

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It was said of John the Baptist that he grew “strong in spirit.” What does it mean to nurture the spiritual aspect of a child’s being? Can children be engaged in spiritual formation? What is “spiritual formation” any way? And how early can it begin in the life of a child?

 

CrossRoads Christian Fellowship will be giving a “Spiritual Formation for Kids” Sermon Series for parents to help them do just that.  While their children will be learning a parallel tract on how to interact with God at a very young age in Sunday School, parents will be tracking with this special sermon series, starting July 24th and running through August 28th.  It’s designed to help raise parents awareness of how to raise children with a love for God, and to grow with a heightened spiritual awareness.

 

“Only God can reach a person’s heart, and call them to His life,” Pastor Jim Valekis, author of the series, says.  “But parents can help open the spiritual ears of their children, so that when God does call, whenever that may be, they have the capacity to respond.”

 

Families will be able to share the learning and the joy of discovering God’s love for them together, with children studying a parallel story about one of the biblical characters featured in the main sermons.  It’s designed to be delivered in such a way that parents and children can share the same learning experience after the Sunday service and throughout the week.

 

Each week will be a new topic:

 

July 24:  Parents:  STRONG IN SPIRIT

It was said of John the Baptist that he grew “strong in spirit.” What does it mean to nurture the spiritual aspect of a child’s being? Can children be engaged in spiritual formation? What is “spiritual formation” any way? And how early can it begin in the life of a child?

Kids track:  THE BOY WHO ATE BUGS

How One Boy Became a SuperMAN for God.  Because John the Baptist lived in the desert, he grew up in a very special way.  He didn’t have too many things making his life too busy. And he could hear the voice of God when God called.

 

July 31:  Parents:  RAISING A CREATURE OF THE SEVENTH DAY

There was a seventh day of “rest” that followed the original creation. It pictured a relationship of peace and rest and special relationship God destined Himself and mankind to eternally share.  Our children were not just made to be creatures of the “sixth day”.  They’re formed in the image of God! Humans were made to be creatures of the “seventh day.” And that’s one way to describe what spiritual formation for your child, and for you, is all about!

Kids Track:  The Magic Mirror: YOU!

“Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?” YOU ARE! Because you’re ONE with the coolest guy ever, Jesus. You’ll see how you are suppose to be a “mirror” image of God—one that reflects His coolness. And the more you look into the magic mirror of Jesus, the more like Him—and the cooler you can become.

 

August 7:  Parents:  PRODIGAL PARENTING:  FROM UNION TO COMMUNION!

Raising children is not an 18-year sprint. It’s a lifetime marathon.  Like our Spiritual Father, God, the prodigal son’s dad, was in it for the long haul. He successfully negotiated the tasks of parenting.  He knew the goal of successful parenting—to take a child from union with God to communion with God. What are the tasks of parenting? What does their successful completion lead to? How can understanding these tasks aid us in the spiritual formation of our children?

Kids Track:  THE BOY WHO ATE PIG FOOD

How one boy found out how much his Father, and God, would always love him. You can always come back home.

August 14:  Parents:  “HANNAH’S CHOICE”

There was a famous movie made a few years ago, where a beautiful Jewish mother named Sophie had to make some very tough choices for children at an early age—a choice that ended in tragedy. But there was another Jewish mother depicted in the Bible who too made a choice for her child at a very early age—one that led to his spiritual success. Unlike Sophie, no one forced her to make this choice—only her sense of conviction, and gratitude to God for giving her this long sought child.  What was the choice? How can you make the same one?

Kids Track:  “THE BOY WHO LIVED AT CHURCH”

Do you serve at church? Can you do so as a kid? How? Children will see that they too can serve the Lord at the weekly service. Indeed, He’s wanting to serve with them! In fact you might learn more about Jesus by serving with Him than just being entertained by people who like Him. Even when you’re as young as three!

August 21:  Parents:  “TEACH US TO PLAY, TEACH US TO PRAY”

What can parents do to build “fun time” and  “contemplation time” margin in their lives, so they can discover the God that is so near? Today we’re going to teach about a “holy habit” you may not have thought about for your child in today’s fast paced world—meditation—that comes from building the right kind of sports play and margin into your kid’s lives.

Kids Track:  “THE BOY WHO COUNTED STARS”

David was a mighty king who could fight a giant and beat him. But David could beat an even bigger giant in his life—the giant of BOREDOM when it was quiet and he was alone. He discovered an Invisible Friend who was with him always.

August 28August 28th:

Parents:  SUCCESS BY SIX

Moses was an Israelite, but he was raised in Pharoah’s household, and was recorded as being “mighty in words and deeds.” His Israelite mother obviously built an ark of spiritual protection around him before she released him into Pharoah’s world, the school system of the day. But his Egyptian mother did her part too, educating him thoroughly in the “arts and letters” of his world. As result of his full-orbed life experience, he was able to be whole—and holy—at the same time. And could accomplish a lot for God.

Kids:  WHOLLY MOSES: BECOMING HOLY BY GROWING WHOLLY

Introducing habits of discipline emphasized by the United Way’s “Success by Six” program. Encouraging kids to do well at school, and actually excel.

The series will be followed up by a special “Blessing of the Children” Sunday Service, September 11 (with food and dessert to follow).

CrossRoads invites the community to participate in this series with them. If you have more questions, or would like to preregister you child, you can reach us at 937-232-2983. Services begin at 10:30 and conclude at noon.  Our address is 18 East Broadway Tipp City, Ohio 45371. Our web address is http://www.inthecrossroads.com.