September 26, 2019

I will be in the church in 10 years... 

Children and teenagers from the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) were asked why they would be in the church in 10 years. The National Study of Youth and Religion found that almost 60% of emerging adults made their first commitment to live their lives for God before the age of fourteen. (See footnote)

"I will be at church in 10 years because I want to be able to provide memories, faith and knowledge for the incoming youth. Youth groups will be more advanced and more inclusive. I want to be able to provide great memories for the new youth like the older youth did for me."

"I like being with people. I like communion and I like the kids."

"I will be in the church when I grow up because I want to keep my faith and others faith strong. I want to make a positive change for not just me but the others after me."

Psalm 78:1-4 (NRSV)
Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old, things that we have heard and known, that our ancestors have told us. We will not hide them from their children; we will tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and God's might, and the wonders that God has done.

(The Message)
Listen, dear friends, to God’s truth, bend your ears to what I tell you. I’m chewing on the morsel of a proverb; I’ll let you in on the sweet old truths, Stories we heard from our fathers, counsel we learned at our mother’s knee. We’re not keeping this to ourselves, we’re passing it along to the next generation

Weekly Scriptures
Read the weekly scripture each day. Find a phrase or word that speaks to you. Share your reflections with others over dinner, social media, and in prayer. Share the scripture with a child you know in the car, through a text, or in a children's Bible.

*Faith Formation with a New Generation by Lisa Brown, Tanya Eustace Campen, Lynn Barger Elliot, and Lee Yates
*National Study of Youth and Religion

*The view represented in these devotions come from a variety of diverse perspectives. We do not seek to agree but seek to welcome all to the conversation and the table.

September 25, 2019

I will be in the church in 10 years... 

Children and teenagers from the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) were asked why they would be in the church in 10 years. The National Study of Youth and Religion found that almost 60% of emerging adults made their first commitment to live their lives for God before the age of fourteen. (See footnote)

"Why I will be in the church when I grow up: for the sense of family reliance. To get through hard times to come. Helping others through organizations. To keep my family faithful. Stay involved with the community. The relationships I have made and relationships I will make. To stay connected to God. Spend time with other generations and learn about other people and their experiences."

"My mom’s a preacher." 

"I love my church family. I believe in God and Jesus. Both of my parents are pastors." 

Psalm 78:1-4 (NRSV)
Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old, things that we have heard and known, that our ancestors have told us. We will not hide them from their children; we will tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and God's might, and the wonders that God has done.

(The Message)
Listen, dear friends, to God’s truth, bend your ears to what I tell you. I’m chewing on the morsel of a proverb; I’ll let you in on the sweet old truths, Stories we heard from our fathers, counsel we learned at our mother’s knee. We’re not keeping this to ourselves, we’re passing it along to the next generation

Weekly Scriptures
Read the weekly scripture each day. Find a phrase or word that speaks to you. Share your reflections with others over dinner, social media, and in prayer. Share the scripture with a child you know in the car, through a text, or in a children's Bible.

*Faith Formation with a New Generation by Lisa Brown, Tanya Eustace Campen, Lynn Barger Elliot, and Lee Yates
*National Study of Youth and Religion

*The view represented in these devotions come from a variety of diverse perspectives. We do not seek to agree but seek to welcome all to the conversation and the table.

September 24, 2019

I will be in the church in 10 years... 

Children and teenagers from the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) were asked why they would be in the church in 10 years. The National Study of Youth and Religion found that almost 60% of emerging adults made their first commitment to live their lives for God before the age of fourteen. (See footnote)

"I will be in church in 10 years because I want to be more connected with God, I want to be saved and given a chance to recover from my past. Everyone has a story or a chapter they don’t read out loud but I feel like God will help me become a better Christian and to have better faith in him."

"When I grow up I want to be a part of the church because I love God and God Loves me. Unbreakable."

"I want to be in church because I can invite people. Everyone can have a chance." 

Psalm 78:1-4 (NRSV)
Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old, things that we have heard and known, that our ancestors have told us. We will not hide them from their children; we will tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and God's might, and the wonders that God has done.

(The Message)
Listen, dear friends, to God’s truth, bend your ears to what I tell you. I’m chewing on the morsel of a proverb; I’ll let you in on the sweet old truths, Stories we heard from our fathers, counsel we learned at our mother’s knee. We’re not keeping this to ourselves, we’re passing it along to the next generation

Weekly Scriptures
Read the weekly scripture each day. Find a phrase or word that speaks to you. Share your reflections with others over dinner, social media, and in prayer. Share the scripture with a child you know in the car, through a text, or in a children's Bible.

*Faith Formation with a New Generation by Lisa Brown, Tanya Eustace Campen, Lynn Barger Elliot, and Lee Yates
*National Study of Youth and Religion

*The view represented in these devotions come from a variety of diverse perspectives. We do not seek to agree but seek to welcome all to the conversation and the table.

September 23, 2019

Let’s begin…

The National Study of Youth and Religion found that almost 60% of emerging adults made their first commitment to live their lives for God before the age of fourteen.*

Think about it… By the time a person is 14, they pretty much already know if their faith is going to be a part of their lives in the future. I decided to test this by asking children and teenagers from the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) whether they thought they would be in the church in 10 years and if so, why? I encouraged them to think about the things in the church they loved, and dra

w pictures along with their words.

While there is much hope in what you will read and see over the next few weeks. There is also push back. There were those who quickly walked away from my question and felt challenged. They are already heading out of faith communities in their current forms. There were those who had a lots of, “I will be in the church… if.”

The question I have for those of you reading this first post is, what are you doing alongside your faith community to have the tough conversations? How are you establishing relationships with the younger people and their families so that by the age of 14, they see the importance of being faithful for life?

I would argue that most churches start too late listening to the hearts and voices of our young people, and many have walked away. As you light candles and read the daily devotions, take time to find who you are walking “with.”

Psalm 78:1-4 (NRSV)
Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old, things that we have heard and known, that our ancestors have told us. We will not hide them from their children; we will tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and God's might, and the wonders that God has done.

(The Message)
Listen, dear friends, to God’s truth, bend your ears to what I tell you. I’m chewing on the morsel of a proverb; I’ll let you in on the sweet old truths, Stories we heard from our fathers, counsel we learned at our mother’s knee. We’re not keeping this to ourselves, we’re passing it along to the next generation

Weekly Scriptures
Read the weekly scripture each day. Find a phrase or word that speaks to you. Share your reflections with others over dinner, social media, and in prayer. Share the scripture with a child you know in the car, through a text, or in a children's Bible.

*Faith Formation with a New Generation by Lisa Brown, Tanya Eustace Campen, Lynn Barger Elliot, and Lee Yates
*National Study of Youth and Religion

*The view represented in these devotions come from a variety of diverse perspectives. We do not seek to agree but seek to welcome all to the conversation and the table.

Light a Candle 2019

Light a Candle WITH Children

"The Hearts and Voices of our Young People"

September 23 - October 20, 2019

​Children’s Sabbath (Children’s Defense Fund) on October 20th, 2019.

Many churches, individuals, and families have used the devotion to light a candle for children. The true prayer we need answered in finding ways in which to light a candle WITH children.  It is easy to participate in Light a Candle with Children. 40 weekdays prior to Children’s Sabbath, Ministries Across Generations will post devotions, reflections, and resources in several social media locations. 

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FACEBOOK

Children and teenagers were asked an important question, “Why will you be in the church when you grow up?”  It is estimated that most young people have decided by the age of 14 if they will be active in a faith community as an adult. With many young people making the choice to not stay active in their faith into adulthood, it was time to ask those under 14 what connects them to a love of God and God’s people.  Each devotion will be their responses, resources, and images.

This year’s theme and other liturgical resources from the Children’s Defense Fund: “Uniting Hearts and Voices to End Child Poverty.” As you prepare for Children’s Sabbath or seek other liturgical resources, see all the interfaith and ecumenical practices surround and uniting us in helping the needs of our children.

October 19, 2018

Keep Light Those Candles... 

Rev. Dr. Olivia Bryan Updegrove is the minister for Families and Children at Disciples Home Missions.

She wants to share his vision for you here!

Other Resources and Links
Fun for All: There is always MORE on our webpage (links to Pinterest, YouTube, At Home Activities, and MORE!)
More to Learn: Check out ALL the Light a Candle videos. Use them in your churches, youth groups, and at home. Our children, youth, and families need us EVERY DAY! Check out the Children's Defense Resources as well. 

Jeremiah 29:11-14, Be a Vision that Seeks and Finds!
For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me, says the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.

Weekly Scriptures
Read the weekly scripture each day. Find a phrase or word that speaks to you. Share your reflections with others over dinner, social media, and in prayer. Share the scripture with a child you know in the car, through a text, or in a children's Bible.

*The view represented in these devotions come from a variety of diverse perspectives. We do not seek to agree but seek to welcome all to the conversation and the table.

October 18, 2018

Creation and Justice... for Children!

Shantha Ready Alonso has served as Executive Director of Creation Justice Ministries since 2015. Creation Justice Ministries’ mission is to educate, equip and mobilize Christians to protect, restore, and rightly share God’s creation. Through its 38 member communions, Creation Justice Ministries serves about 100,000 churches and 45 million people in the United States.

She wants to share his vision for you here!

Other Resources and Links
Fun for All: Creation Care Books (The Earth Book by Todd Parr)
More to Learn: Creation Justice Ministries, Our Children's Trust, and Green Chalice

Jeremiah 29:11-14, Be a Vision that Seeks and Finds!
For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me, says the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.

Weekly Scriptures
Read the weekly scripture each day. Find a phrase or word that speaks to you. Share your reflections with others over dinner, social media, and in prayer. Share the scripture with a child you know in the car, through a text, or in a children's Bible.

*The view represented in these devotions come from a variety of diverse perspectives. We do not seek to agree but seek to welcome all to the conversation and the table.