Kids are, if nothing else, a growing and changing group. As they move from babies to toddler, from preschoolers to elementary schoolers, and from middle schoolers to high schoolers, their needs and interests move right along with them. It can get a little complicated.
And so, church leaders become specialists in the age groups they serve. You may know everything there is to know about today’s thirteen-year-old. And that’s awesome. But if you’re not building a bridge between yourself and the people who work with students before and after you, you’re missing out on a big opportunity.
Today’s episode dives right into that opportunity–with advice on how you can create a program designed to take kids from birth to graduation seamlessly and with purpose. You’ll hear from Autumn Ward, author of the First Look devotional series and a writer for the preschool First Look curriculum, and Cindy Fiala, a consultant working to help churches do exactly what we’re talking about here.
Welcome to Episode 66 of the Think Orange Podcast.
Topic Timeline
Dave and Ashley introduce today’s guests. (5:02)
Autumn Ward on helping families start strong. (10:10)
How to teach children to pray. (13:19)
How to make God talk part of everyday life. (17:25)
Everything starts in the home. (19:45)
The power of repeating basic truths. (22:12)
Kids need to hear their parents laugh. (25:40)
Sarah Bragg and Holly Crawshaw introduce Cindy Fiala. (26:35)
Cindy Fiala on building a comprehensive program from birth to high school. (30:22)
Best first step to implementing a strategy. (37:17)
What to do when church leaders struggle to align. (39:25)
How service bridges that gap between ministries. (43:56)
How churches can better partner with parents. (46:12)
Dave and Ashley’s final thoughts. (51:56)
