Learning Together
Learning Together is a Milestone Celebration for the Moon Sunday School group (3-year-olds) and their parents.
Train children in the right way, and when old, they will not stray.” ~ Proverbs 22:6
Through their entrance into Sunday School, young children are introduced to God’s amazing world through scripture and Jesus’ redemptive act by teachers who are fulfilling the promises made at Baptism to nurture those whom God has called.
Gifts for Remembrance
This milestone gifts each child with a Read and Learn Bible by American Bible Society. Children also receive a clay faith stone to add to their Treasure Box with the symbol for this Milestone: a single footprint at the foot of the cross to remind us of the “first step” taken as a lifelong learner and faithful disciple.
Books for the Home
- Children of God Storybook Bible by Archbishop Desmond Tutu
- Cookies: Bite-Size Life Lessons by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
- I Wanted to Know All About God by Virginia L. Kroll
- All Kinds of Families by Norma Simon
- Pray & Play Bible for Young Children – Vol 1 & 2 by Jody Brolsma
- Praying with My Fingers by Pope Francis
- (For Parents) For Heaven’s Sake! Parenting Preschoolers Faithfully by Marilyn Sharpe
Faith Practices for the Home
Caring Conversations
- Tell your children that you love them.
- Make God part of your daily conversations with your child – it is natural to them and can be for you, too.
- Catch your children being good and doing well and tell them so.
- Ask “wondering questions” to allow your child to explore their own answers. (Ex. I wonder what you think about…)
Daily Devotions
- Pray for your child’s spiritual leaders each day. Make a list of your pastors, Sunday School teachers, choir leaders and others who play an important role in your child’s spiritual journey and name them in your prayer time.
- Take turns leading the prayer before your family meal. Develop a simple family prayer of thanksgiving that encourages everyone at the table to participate.
- Read a Bible story each day with your child and explore the Parent Pages in the back of your child’s Bible, Read and Learn Bible by American Bible Society to help your child think about God.
Family Traditions
- Make Sunday School attendance a priority. Prepare the night before by laying out clothes, setting out your child’s Bible and talking about the offering that your child will bring as their ‘thank-you’ to God.
- Attend worship as a family.
Servant Acts
- Model and teach peaceful ways to resolve conflict.
- Ask an adult outside the home to become personally invested in your child’s growth and well-being.
Professing our Faith: Catechism Connections
Presbyterians have historically professed their faith through their creeds, confessions and catechisms. Belonging to God: A First Catechism provides simple language for parents and children as they profess their faith.
Question 32. What is the gospel?
Answer: The gospel is the good news about Jesus. It promises us the forgiveness of our sins and eternal life because of him. Forgiveness and eternal life with God are what we mean by salvation.
Scripture background: Romans 1:16; John 3:15; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:23
Question 35. What is the church?
Answer: We are the church: the people who believe the good news about Jesus, who are baptized, and who share in the Lord’s Supper. Through these means of grace, the Spirit renews us so that we may serve God in love.
Scripture background: Acts 2:38-47; I Corinthians 12:4-7, 12-13; Ephesians 3:14-19
Question 39. Why do Christians gather for worship on the first day of the week?
Answer: Because it is the day when God raised our Lord Jesus from the dead. When we gather weekly on that day, the Spirit makes our hearts glad with the memory of our Lord’s resurrection.
Scripture background: Matthew 28:1-10; Luke 24:1-2; Acts 20:7
Faith Development for 3-5 Years Old
The world of a 3 to 5 year olds is expanding quickly. This is an important time for language development. Have children tell you about their experiences and feelings. Let their play, imagination, and exploration be filled with positive images of God’s loving presence in their lives through attentive, loving adults. Children are becoming more aware of and interested in outside sources of interactions: friends, television, and the like. They see, hear, and understand more than we realize. These important years can give children a positive self-image that says, “I belong here,” and “I can do it!” Have children participate in service to others – both inside and beyond the home. From Vibrant Faith Milestones Ministry
