January 2025
Companion planting
Watch the Formation video to learn about the overview of January with Growing Families. Laura Hunter will share about one practice that increases the spiritual vibrancy of Christian families.
Watch the Formation video to learn about the overview of January with Growing Families. Laura Hunter will share about one practice that increases the spiritual vibrancy of Christian families.
Parents, please read the curriculum outline to familiarize yourself with the resources before opening the Resource bag with your family. Put the paper copy in your binder to use throughout the month. After reading all the options, choose what works with your family schedule and create a grace-filled family rhythm. The weekly plan below is only a suggestion. Your family does not have to complete all of the curriculum every month.
Week 1:
- Watch the Formation video in the first week. (8 minutes)
- Use your Advent wreath with your Nativity set on Sunday, January 5th. Find the curriculum page with a liturgy for Epiphany. Epiphany is when God’s people celebrate the wise men’s journey and the revelation that Jesus was born to be King of the world. (10 minutes)
- Watch Valerie Stark tell God’s Story. (20 minutes)
- Look at the Resource page in your curriculum on Hospitality. Watch a few YouTube videos together, especially the Songs for the Family section, and start a spiritual conversation with your family.
Week 2:
- Read aloud the book, If Jesus Came to My House. Wonder together and have a spiritual conversation about the book. (5-10 minutes)
- Drink your hot cocoa and tea. Use your Hospitality Checklist and discuss your Family’s hospitality plan. Choose your date and invite your guests. (15 – 30 minutes)
- Tell God’s story with your family. (20 minutes)
- Use the God’s Story script and props, the comic, or the toddler rhymes.
- Begin reading, The Spiritually Vibrant Home. This will be delivered to your home in the second week of January. We are waiting for the shipment.
Week 3:
- Mom tell your faith story to the family this month. Dad, if you have not told your story, please do it this month. Have a spiritual conversation by letting the children ask questions about your story. (10 – 15 minutes)
- Decorate your Table Runner in preparation for your guests. Ideas are in the Hospitality Checklist in your resources. For families with youth, you received a set of markers in December. (This could last as long or as little as you like)
- View Dr. Hall’s video and look at the worksheet. Find a time to discuss this as parents. (15 minutes)
Week 4:
- Enjoy your guests.
- Talk with your children about how you each experienced the hospitality event. What did you like? What would you change? You may want to write responses or draw a picture about the event in your journal.
- Parents review the Age Level of Faith Formation document in your resources. Every child matures spiritually at different ages. Read to see what topics you have covered with your children concerning their belief in God.
- Go over parts of the curriculum you couldn’t cover earlier or go back to a prior month and revisit.
Parents, please read the curriculum outline to familiarize yourself with the resources before opening the Resource bag with your family. Put the paper copy in your binder to use throughout the month. After reading all the options, choose what works with your family schedule and create a grace-filled family rhythm. The weekly plan below is only a suggestion. Your family does not have to complete all of the curriculum every month.
Week 1:
- Watch the Formation video in the first week. (8 minutes)
- Use your Advent wreath with your Nativity set on Sunday, January 5th. Find the curriculum page with a liturgy for Epiphany. Epiphany is when God’s people celebrate the wise men’s journey and the revelation that Jesus was born to be King of the world. (10 minutes)
- Watch Valerie Stark tell God’s Story. (20 minutes)
- Look at the Resource page in your curriculum on Hospitality. Watch a few YouTube videos together, especially the Songs for the Family section, and start a spiritual conversation with your family.
Week 2:
- Read aloud the book, If Jesus Came to My House. Wonder together and have a spiritual conversation about the book. (5-10 minutes)
- Drink your hot cocoa and tea. Use your Hospitality Checklist and discuss your Family’s hospitality plan. Choose your date and invite your guests. (15 – 30 minutes)
- Tell God’s story with your family. (20 minutes)
- Use the God’s Story script and props, the comic, or the toddler rhymes.
- Begin reading, The Spiritually Vibrant Home. This will be delivered to your home in the second week of January. We are waiting for the shipment.
Week 3:
- Mom tell your faith story to the family this month. Dad, if you have not told your story, please do it this month. Have a spiritual conversation by letting the children ask questions about your story. (10 – 15 minutes)
- Decorate your Table Runner in preparation for your guests. Ideas are in the Hospitality Checklist in your resources. For families with youth, you received a set of markers in December. (This could last as long or as little as you like)
- View Dr. Hall’s video and look at the worksheet. Find a time to discuss this as parents. (15 minutes)
Week 4:
- Enjoy your guests.
- Talk with your children about how you each experienced the hospitality event. What did you like? What would you change? You may want to write responses or draw a picture about the event in your journal.
- Parents review the Age Level of Faith Formation document in your resources. Every child matures spiritually at different ages. Read to see what topics you have covered with your children concerning their belief in God.
- Go over parts of the curriculum you couldn’t cover earlier or go back to a prior month and revisit.
TELLING GOD'S STORY
“The Life of Christ - God’s Dangerous Rescue Plan”
Families, take time once a week to watch or retell the story using the gold bag of props. You don’t have to use the script; tell it in your own words.
- Toddlers can tell the story with rhyming cards
- Elementary-age children can tell the story with the story people and props
- Youth can tell the story using the comic strip
- Parents can use any of the above
Families, take time once a week to watch or retell the story using the gold bag of props. You don’t have to use the script; tell it in your own words.
- Toddlers can tell the story with rhyming cards
- Elementary-age children can tell the story with the story people and props
- Youth can tell the story using the comic strip
- Parents can use any of the above
For Teens
"Visio Divina"
Watch as Steph Peterson leads your family through Visio Divina (an encounter with God through images). Each of you will respond with a work of art.
Watch as Steph Peterson leads your family through Visio Divina (an encounter with God through images). Each of you will respond with a work of art.
For babies and toddlers
"Rhyming Card Game"
We have another fun rhyme to introduce your babies and toddlers to God’s Story this month. Watch this sweet video and practice it together – as many times as they ask.
We have another fun rhyme to introduce your babies and toddlers to God’s Story this month. Watch this sweet video and practice it together – as many times as they ask.
VERSE OF THE MONTH
“Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!”
Hebrews 13:2 NLT
“Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!”
Hebrews 13:2 NLT
Parenting Lesson
“God, Help Me to Accept the Things I Cannot Change”
Dr. Hall shares that each child is born with a temperament, but parents can still influence their children’s character traits. Parents can celebrate a child’s unique qualities while guiding them toward holy living. Watch this encouraging video and remember to accept the things we cannot change in our children and also have the courage to change the things we can.
Dr. Hall shares that each child is born with a temperament, but parents can still influence their children’s character traits. Parents can celebrate a child’s unique qualities while guiding them toward holy living. Watch this encouraging video and remember to accept the things we cannot change in our children and also have the courage to change the things we can.
Next
Steps
Use your checklist inside your monthly bag to help you keep track of what you have completed.
Mark your calendar for the next family meeting with your cohort! You can find more information about the meeting schedule on the Community page.
Use your checklist inside your monthly bag to help you keep track of what you have completed.
Mark your calendar for the next family meeting with your cohort! You can find more information about the meeting schedule on the Community page.
