4 Simple Steps Towards Faith Formation in the Home
Hannah L. Knehans DFLM
Introduction
All Households: Church Workers & Lay Members
Faith At Home
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Home-Centered�Church-Supported�Faith-Formation
The Biblical Model
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The Biblical Model of Faith Formation
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Faith-Formation
Through biblical education, prayer, and a focus on God’s plan for life, the Holy Spirit will work faith in adults and children in each household.
Home-Centered
Households/families are the primary area where worldview & belief (religious, political, social, etc.) formation occurs.
Church-Supported
The role of the Church is to equip heads of households and support them as they guide and instruct the members of their households.
Intellectually we understand that faith is more than knowledge and good morals. We certainly desire for those we lead to possess a robust faith that impacts every aspect of life, and we hunger to see faith that transcends childhood belief into lifelong faith…. It is about understanding how to live out what we believe by the power of the Holy Spirit. Genuine faith is established when someone has a firm conviction.
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Anthony, M., & Marshman, M. (2015). 7 Family Ministry Essentials. David C. Cook. (pg. 14)
Family of Origin
The faith-formation in your childhood home influences your home now.
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1. Family Devotions
Intentional Times of Faith Formation Together
What do Home Devotions Look Like?
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Family Devotion Elements
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INVOCATION
“In the Name of the Father, Son, & Holy Spirit” (make the sign of the cross)
PRAYER
Say the Lord’s Prayer, a memorized or prewritten prayer, or make up your own.
Devotion book, story Bible, or deeper reading of a Scripture passage or the Catechism.
READING
The Apostles’ Creed is a simple confession of faith. Consider saying the 10 Commandments.
CREED
Family Devotions with All Ages
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2. Bible Reading
Digging into God’s Word Together
Choosing Age-Appropriate Bibles
Young Children
Elementary Age
Jr. & Sr. High
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Littles Can Learn Too!
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children 4 and Up�Memorization�Copy work�Deeper Understanding
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Older Children
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Bible Reading & Devotions for Youth
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Learning the Bible at All Ages
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The Bible for Different Learning Styles & 5 Senses
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God’s Word in Your Home
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3. Prayer
Individual & Family Conversations with God
What is a prayer?
Prayer is speaking to God
in words and thoughts.
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(2017). Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation. Concordia Publishing House. (pg. 231)
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
Psalm 19:14
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Ways to Pray
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Prayer�at All Ages
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ACTS Prayers
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ADORATION
Praise God for who He is and what He has done. Choose specific attributes.
CONFESSION
Ask God to forgive you for any specific sins you’ve committed and even sins you’re not aware of.
Ask God to help you with something. Pray for His aid for others in your life too.
SUPPLICATION
Thank God for what He’s done for you, your family, and others. Choose specific things.
THANKSGIVING
4. Faith-Filled Conversations
Saturating Daily Life with God’s Will
The greatest spiritual work happens in the normal moments of domestic life.
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Whitmel Earley, J. (2021). Habits of the Household: Practicing the Story of God in Everyday Family Rhythms. Zondervan. (pg. 24)
What are Faith-Filled Conversations?
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Examples of Faith-Filled Conversations
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The truth is, most Christians are busy with other things: the day-to-day of normal life-jobs, kids, budgets, sports, weather and what’s premiering on Netflix this week. None of this is bad, but the unfortunate reality is that most adults don’t seem to connect their everyday experiences with their faith. Or, at least, they aren’t talking about it as they do.
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(2018). Spiritual Conversations in the Digital Age. Barna Group & Lutheran Hour Ministries. (pg. 7)
Putting it All Together
Where do I start?
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7
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The most important task that faces a father and mother is not the obvious physical childcare and support. Their major job, starting with the first day, is to provide their child with constant, accepting love. That kind of love has only one source: God.
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Buth, L. (2015). How to Talk Confidently with Your Child about Sex: A Guide for the Christian Family.
Concordia Publishing House. (pg. 7-8)
Keeping it Simple
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It Starts with You
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Some Resources
A Few More Tools to Help
LCMS Apps
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Family Devotions & Bible Reading
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Children’s Catechisms & Hymnal
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Faith-Filled Conversations
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Book for Parents
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Questions
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Thank You!
Hannah L. Knehans
Director of Family Life Ministry (DFLM)
Family Discipleship Coach (FDC)
Trinity Lutheran Church in Springfield, MO
hknehans@trinitylutheranspfd.org
417-866-5878 ext. 14