December 2024
Enriching the soil for deep growing roots
Watch the introduction video to discover the big picture of your December curriculum. Advent is a time to practice waiting. Celebrating the church year as a family creates rich spiritual experiences for your children and will strengthen their roots in Christ.
Dads, you have an extremely important job this month. Please watch the video tutorial about Telling Your Story. Read the details in your curriculum. Begin this month by telling your children your own faith story. During the next few months, each family will craft their own Faith Story to share.
Watch the introduction video to discover the big picture of your December curriculum. Advent is a time to practice waiting. Celebrating the church year as a family creates rich spiritual experiences for your children and will strengthen their roots in Christ.
Dads, you have an extremely important job this month. Please watch the video tutorial about Telling Your Story. Read the details in your curriculum. Begin this month by telling your children your own faith story. During the next few months, each family will craft their own Faith Story to share.
Week 1:
Hint: Parents, please read the curriculum to familiarize yourself with the resources before opening the Resource bag with your family. Keep it in your binder to use throughout the month. Find what works with your family schedule and create a grace-filled family rhythm.
1. Advent Liturgy: each Sunday in December and Christmas Day: this experience allows you to gather as a family once a week to reflect on the Christmas Story. Use the props in your large purple bag and the written Advent Liturgy: The Road to Bethlehem.
2. December 1 – 25, The Advent Talk Cards encourage your family to have a short spiritual conversation each day this month. You can keep these in your car, or on your table for mealtime. This resource is from our friends at Vibrant Faith, another Lilly Grant recipient. Let us know what you think about these.
The following activities can occur at any time during the month:
3. Mom, please read the Advent book titled “LOOK” to your children. Read short portions each night until you finish the story. Parents with babies and toddlers may read the book “Christmas in the Manger” to their children. Watch the video below from Valerie Stark for a few tips on reading aloud to children.
4. Dad, you are the storyteller this month. Watch the video (2:50 minutes) provided by Bridging Faith Curriculum. https://vimeo.com/1033613081/96a98599d6?share=copy This valuable resource is from another Lilly Grant recipient and ATS Alumnus, Adam Lipscomb. We look forward to sharing more of their resources over the next few months.
Here are some suggestions for Dad’s storytelling topics:
- Tell your children how you started your walk of faith. Use the hints from the short video for your outline. This is a story to re-tell time and again.
- Tell a story from your childhood. Funny stories or examples of God’s faithfulness are a great choice.
- Next month, Mom, it will be your turn to tell your story.
5. For families with teens, we are excited to introduce Sujatha Balasundaram as our artist this month and share her beautiful Madhubani style (Indian folk art).
- Color the poster-size artwork with the new markers. Read her conversation guide while working as a family on this coloring sheet. When it is finished send us a picture. We would love to see your creativity.
6. For families with babies and toddlers, we have another fun rhyme to introduce your children to God’s Story this month. Watch this heartwarming video in the next section below this one. Practice it together – as many times as they ask.
7. Look for two copies of a brand-new Comic book series. Bryan Sanders, our videographer in ATS Communications, has created a comic page to accompany our God’s Story script, He will continue this offering each month. When you unroll the comic, read about the family coloring contest. Use your colored pencils for this project.
Week 1:
Hint: Parents, please read the curriculum to familiarize yourself with the resources before opening the Resource bag with your family. Keep it in your binder to use throughout the month. Find what works with your family schedule and create a grace-filled family rhythm.
1. Advent Liturgy: each Sunday in December and Christmas Day: this experience allows you to gather as a family once a week to reflect on the Christmas Story. Use the props in your large purple bag and the written Advent Liturgy: The Road to Bethlehem.
2. December 1 – 25, The Advent Talk Cards encourage your family to have a short spiritual conversation each day this month. You can keep these in your car, or on your table for mealtime. This resource is from our friends at Vibrant Faith, another Lilly Grant recipient. Let us know what you think about these.
The following activities can occur at any time during the month:
3. Mom, please read the Advent book titled “LOOK” to your children. Read short portions each night until you finish the story. Parents with babies and toddlers may read the book “Christmas in the Manger” to their children. Watch the video below from Valerie Stark for a few tips on reading aloud to children.
4. Dad, you are the storyteller this month. Watch the video (2:50 minutes) provided by Bridging Faith Curriculum. https://vimeo.com/1033613081/96a98599d6?share=copy This valuable resource is from another Lilly Grant recipient and ATS Alumnus, Adam Lipscomb. We look forward to sharing more of their resources over the next few months.
Here are some suggestions for Dad’s storytelling topics:
- Tell your children how you started your walk of faith. Use the hints from the short video for your outline. This is a story to re-tell time and again.
- Tell a story from your childhood. Funny stories or examples of God’s faithfulness are a great choice.
- Next month, Mom, it will be your turn to tell your story.
5. For families with teens, we are excited to introduce Sujatha Balasundaram as our artist this month and share her beautiful Madhubani style (Indian folk art).
- Color the poster-size artwork with the new markers. Read her conversation guide while working as a family on this coloring sheet. When it is finished send us a picture. We would love to see your creativity.
6. For families with babies and toddlers, we have another fun rhyme to introduce your children to God’s Story this month. Watch this heartwarming video in the next section below this one. Practice it together – as many times as they ask.
7. Look for two copies of a brand-new Comic book series. Bryan Sanders, our videographer in ATS Communications, has created a comic page to accompany our God’s Story script, He will continue this offering each month. When you unroll the comic, read about the family coloring contest. Use your colored pencils for this project.
TELLING GOD'S STORY
"The Incarnation"
Take time once a week to watch or retell the story using the purple 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 props
- Youth can tell the story using the comic strip
- Parents can use any of the above
Take time once a week to watch or retell the story using the purple 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 props
- Youth can tell the story using the comic strip
- Parents can use any of the above
For Parents
"Tips on Reading Aloud to Children"
Watch this video early in the month to find out about the benefits of reading aloud to your children. Use these tips as you read the December family book, LOOK, or the toddler board book for young children. Ask your children to wonder with you about the meaning of Advent.
Watch this video early in the month to find out about the benefits of reading aloud to your children. Use these tips as you read the December family book, LOOK, or the toddler board book for young children. Ask your children to wonder with you about the meaning of Advent.
For Toddlers
Rhyming Card Game
For families with babies and toddlers, we have another fun rhyme to introduce your children to God’s Story this month. Watch this heartwarming video and practice it together – as many times as they ask.
For families with babies and toddlers, we have another fun rhyme to introduce your children to God’s Story this month. Watch this heartwarming video and practice it together – as many times as they ask.
VERSE OF THE MONTH
“ Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.”
Colossians 2:7 NLT
“ Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.”
Colossians 2:7 NLT
Counseling Video
"Balancing Conflict"
When Seminary families try to balance family, school, and work, inevitable conflicts will arise. In this video, Dr Steve Stratton suggests there are creative ways for families to approach relationship pitfalls. He shares a simple 10-step process that can be used by spouses or parents and children. Look for the conflict resolution worksheet in your curriculum so you can take notes. You will want to use these tips often.
When Seminary families try to balance family, school, and work, inevitable conflicts will arise. In this video, Dr Steve Stratton suggests there are creative ways for families to approach relationship pitfalls. He shares a simple 10-step process that can be used by spouses or parents and children. Look for the conflict resolution worksheet in your curriculum so you can take notes. You will want to use these tips often.
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.
