FAITH DECISION
Celebrating Your Child's Faith Decision

THE FAITH HANDOFF

BEST USE
As a family time activity

ADVANCE PREPARATION
You will need the following supplies:

• Something you can use as a baton to pass like a cardboard tube from an empty roll of paper towels or wrapping paper
• A sharpie or marker
• A Bible
• A stone or small rock

NEXT STEPS

• READ: Invite the youngest reader in the family to read 1 Corinthians 9:24 aloud and ask, “What does it take to run a race well?”
• ACTIVITY: Find a place the family can run a relay race such as on the sidewalk or from one part of the house to another. Run the race several times by changing up the order of runners. Time each race. On the final attempt someone should “accidentally” mess-up the handoff causing that particular run to be slower or even disqualified.
• DISCUSS: Explain that handing off the baton is the most important and difficult part of every relay race. Invite input on why doing so is hard. Be sure to mention that both the person giving and the person receiving must be alert and care about running the race well.
• READ: Read aloud Psalm 78:5–7 and explain that God has given parents the most important baton pass in the world—passing a strong faith to their children and grandchildren. Explain that, just like in the relay race, helping children learn to know and love God requires an intentional effort.
• ACTIVITY: Use a marker to write “Milestones” on a small stone. Have the family sit in a close circle and pass the rock from person to person. Then widen the circle and do it again. Keep widening the circle until it becomes too difficult to pass the rock without tossing it.
• DISCUSS: Explain that it is much easier to build one another’s faith if you work hard to keep close family relationships. Invite input on how you might do that such as spending time together, forgiving one another, affirming one another, etc.
• READ: Read aloud Deuteronomy 6:5–9 then invite the kids to suggest times and ways your family can include talking about God’s Word in your routine.
• PRAY: Come close and pass the Milestones rock from person to person. As each person receives the rock ask them to ask for God’s help silently or aloud such as “Help me not drop the baton of faith,” or “Help me love my family as I should.”

FAITH WALK

BEST USE
As a family time activity

ADVANCE PREPARATION
You will need the following supplies:

• A blindfold
• A Bible
• Some items to create obstacles such as pillows, boxes, steps, chairs, cones, etc.
• Milestones Overview Guide

NEXT STEPS

• SAY: “We are going to go on a special adventure together. The challenge will be that you will be blindfolded and will need to listen to my direction to help guide you along the way.”
• DO: Blindfold your child. Once the child is blindfolded, set up a path of numerous obstacles for them to have to navigate through with your help. You can set other family members as obstacles and have them give “wrong” directions.
• READ: Read Proverbs 23:19 to your child before you begin the activity.
• ACTIVITY: Take your child’s hand and guide them through the challenging path. Direct them both vocally and physically as they come close to obstacles. Think of fun and creative ways for them to avoid the obstacles such as “take three jumps to the left,” or “crabwalk forward until I say freeze.” Give encouragement and redirection when going the wrong way. When done, remove the blindfold and give high fives. If you have other children, reset the obstacles and take turns blindfolding and leading them through.
• DISCUSS: Ask your child… • “What was it like not knowing next steps or obstacles before you?” • “Was it hard when another family member gave instructions?” • “Did some of the instructions seem strange or uncomfortable to you?” Explain that God has given parents the opportunity and responsibility to guide their child’s spiritual journey. Share that there may come a time when the instructions you give will seem strange and may require trusting you. Also explain how other voices may try to mislead them as they get older.
• READ: Look up Hebrews 13:5 and read it together.
• DISCUSS: Not only do they have you as a parent, but God’s Word says that the Lord will never leave or forsake us. Let them know that you will be seeking the Lord together along this exciting journey. Look at the Milestones guide together to determine which step your child/children are currently at based on age.
• PRAY: Thank God for each member of your family and the exciting faith journey that God has for each individual.
   

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