Southview Church

SPIRITUAL MILESTONES

Walk the Path ...

According to a recent survey by George Barna, most parents believe that it is their responsibility to install spiritual truth in the life of their children.  Deuteronomy 6, Psalm 78, and Ephesians 6:4 compel parents to take the spiritual training of their children very seriously.

As parents, our best effort at spiritual training is often bringing our kids to church.  This is only a small part of the solution. We believe it is our job to equip parents to effectively train our children in the Christian faith as they do the common things of life.  Faith is far more important than just two hours on Sunday.  How does a parent take on the responsibility of “primary faith trainer” in the life of their growing child?

First, the parent grows in their own understanding of the Bible and relationship with Christ.

Second, parents learn how to effectively practice age-appropriate family devotions in their own home.

Finally, parents learn to equip their children for the natural, spiritual milestones of life.

Our spiritual formation process begins in infancy and continues through adulthood, designed around seven Spiritual Milestones.

Get started walking the Spiritual Milestones and join us in building a legacy of faith into the next generation.

Milestone 1: Parent / Baby Dedication

Parent/Baby Dedication

Campus Event:  Parent/Child Dedication ceremony in worship.

Parent Seminar: “First Steps”
This Seminar covers topics like:

  • Understanding Parent/Child Dedication
  • The Development of Your Child
  • The Importance of Mom and Dad
  • Ways to Bless Your Build Biblical Foundations.

Core Competency:  The parent as the primary faith trainer.

The first step on the legacy pathway is Parent Commitment.  This is a seminar and a ceremony that normally occurs for parents who have children between birth and one year of age.  Parents, through a two hour required seminar, learn how to become primary faith trainers for their children and accept the responsibility.  Resources and learning opportunities are provided for the new parents desiring to dedicate their child to the Lord.  During the ceremony, the church body commits to partner with the parents in the faith development of the child for the duration of the journey.

Resources

Milestone 2: Family Blessings, Prayer & Devotions

Parent Seminar: “Core Practices”

Core Competency: Establishing habits for spiritual growth.

To establish the ritual of parents praying God’s blessing over their children on a daily basis and empowering them to have a consistent, effective devotional experience together that will encourage a lasting discipline in their children’s lives.

Resources

Milestone 3: Faith Commitment

Campus Event: Baptism

Family Celebration: Spiritual Birthday Party

Parent Seminar: “How to Lead Your Child to Christ”

This seminar covers topics like:

  • Accepting Christ as Saviour
  • Is My Child Ready for Salvation?
  • God’s Plan of Salvation
  • Baptism Explained
  • Discipleship Begins at Home.

Core Competencies: Jesus, Faith/Belief, Biblical Truth, Personal Sin, Repentance, Salvation, Baptism.

An important milestone in the life of every person is salvation and baptism.  For the child growing up in a Christian home and in the context of a local church, a decision point is often reached between the ages of 6 and 10.  This decision may also occur later in life.  Between Milestone #1 and Milestone #3, we partner with and equip parents to lead their kids toward a personal relationship with Jesus Christ which leads toward salvation.  Parents are encouraged to attend a seminar that teaches the biblical truth about salvation and baptism.  Parents are equipped and given resources to lead family devotions in their homes where these principles are taught.  To make this milestone steps memorable and special, families can include a Spiritual Birthday celebration which focuses on the child’s date of salvation and a family celebration at and following the child’s baptism event.  Parents are encouraged to invite family, friends, and those who spiritually influence the child.

Resources

Milestone 4: Preparing for Adolescence

Family Celebration: Road Trip

Parent Seminar: “Preparing for Adolescence”

This seminar covers topics like:

  • Relating to Your Adolescent
  • Facing the Challenges of Junior High
  • A Look at Today’s Culture
  • Faith That Prevails
  • The Biggest Obstacles to Christian Living.

Core Competencies: Identity, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Disciplines

It is so important to help children prepare spiritually, emotionally, and physically for adolescence.  Between the ages of 10 and 12, we begin to introduce these concepts to kids as they attend church ministries and activities.  We also equip parents to intentionally prepare their children to enter the teen years.  Parents are encouraged to attend a two hour seminar called Preparing for Adolescence.  This seminar teaches the basics concerning talking with your kids about relevant issues such as physical changes, identity in Christ, and sex.

Resources

Milestone 5: Purity for Life

Family Celebration: Purity Ring Celebration

Parent Seminar: “Purity for Life”

This seminar covers topics like:

  • The Biblical Standard for Purity
  • Spiritual Training of Teens: Parent Roles and Church Roles
  • Identity in Christ
  • Accountability and Communication

Core Competencies: Biblical Purity, Healthy Relationships, Identity in Christ, Biblical Sex

In Junior High in our culture, it becomes glaringly obvious that we must address “SEX” from a biblical perspective.  The Student Ministry partners with parents by teaching students the importance of accountability, healthy friendships, and biblical standards for purity.  At the same time we think it is much more important for students to learn these principles from their parents.  We coach parents to focus on these issues in family devotions and intentional conversations throughout the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade years.

Resources

Milestone 6: Rite of Passage

Family Celebration: Rite of Passage Ceremony

Parent Seminar: “Preparing My Student for Adulthood”

This seminar covers topics like:

  • The Biblical Roles of Men and Women
  • Spiritual Training of Teens
  • Parent Roles and Church Roles
  • Rite of Passage: The How To
  • Following Up After You Have Completed the Rite of Passage

Core Competencies: Roles of Men and Women, Spiritual Gifts and Service, Catechism

The passing of a child into adulthood is a significant event.  Biblically, we must equip our children to become men and women of God.  Age 16 is a significant time of freedom in our culture. Rite of Passage is not about keys to the car; instead, it is about becoming a man or woman of God.  In our seminar we will quip you to disciple your freshmen and sophomore students for adulthood.  Issues such as spiritual gifts, the roles of men and women, spiritual disciplines, service in the church, dealing with failure, and other Biblical issues will be explored both in your family devotion and on the church campus.  We teach parents to host a very special “Rite of Passage” ceremony as the discipleship process has been completed and the student enters his or her 16th year of life.

Resources

Milestone 7: High School Graduation

Campus Event: 12th Grade Camping Event

Family Celebration: Written Blessing

Parent Seminar: “Preparing My Student to Leave Home”

This seminar covers topics like:

  • Apologetics
  • Connecting with Other Adults
  • Knowing the Will of God For Your Life
  • Dating and Marriage and Money

Core Competencies: Apologetics, Dating/Marriage, God’s Plan for Me, Person of Influence, Life Skills

Between the ages of 16 and 18, parents must help their students develop the practical and spiritual skills to leave home.  Our seminar teaches parents how to prepare their students for the world outside of the nest.  This can be a very healthy time in the family journey if parents continue to keep the lines of communication open with their students.  Issues such as basic apologetics, courtship and marriage, determining the will of God, life skills for living away from home, and other biblical issues will be explored both in family devotions and on the church campus.  We teach parents to write out a spiritual blessing for their child to be presented at the Senior Summit just before graduation.  These important years of discipleship are our last chance to shape the faith of our children before they are on their own.

Resources

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