February 2025
"Pruning for Growth"
Watch as Laura introduces the theme for the month and gives insight into the curriculum and activities. (8 minutes) Immediately afterward watch our friends at Axis share about the important One Conversation that continues between parents and children. (10 minutes)
Our main theme this month is Spiritual Conversations. You will find resources for this topic on the website, in your curriculum, and the resource bag.
Watch as Laura introduces the theme for the month and gives insight into the curriculum and activities. (8 minutes) Immediately afterward watch our friends at Axis share about the important One Conversation that continues between parents and children. (10 minutes)
Our main theme this month is Spiritual Conversations. You will find resources for this topic on the website, in your curriculum, and the resource bag.
Challenge
Spend the first few days of this month listening to the conversations in your home. What kinds of conversations do you and your family engage in? Families engage with each other in many ways. Conversations can be angry, playful, hopeful, shallow, or deep. There can be banter, arguments, sharing, listening, and reflecting. Family conversations can encourage, strengthen, put down, exasperate, or discourage. This is not an exhaustive list!
Gathering data: Use your journal to write down the communication styles you hear. Did you discover any trends or themes that need encouraging or changing?
Response: During February try new ways to engage your family in spiritual conversations.
Spend the first few days of this month listening to the conversations in your home. What kinds of conversations do you and your family engage in? Families engage with each other in many ways. Conversations can be angry, playful, hopeful, shallow, or deep. There can be banter, arguments, sharing, listening, and reflecting. Family conversations can encourage, strengthen, put down, exasperate, or discourage. This is not an exhaustive list!
Gathering data: Use your journal to write down the communication styles you hear. Did you discover any trends or themes that need encouraging or changing?
Response: During February try new ways to engage your family in spiritual conversations.
Curriculum Timeline
Week 1
- Watch the February Introduction video with Laura Hunter.
- Watch God’s Story Video Part 1 with Valerie Stark. Watch Part 2 as soon as you find time.
- Eat the family snack during God’s Story or a Spiritual Conversation.
- Parents read ‘Spiritual Conversations with Your Family’ found in your curriculum. Try these 10 listening skills in your conversations with your children.
Week 2
- Parents: Watch Dr. Russell Hall’s video. Use the corresponding worksheets. Discuss what you are learning with your spouse or another participant in Growing Families.
- Use the conversation cards in your resource bag anytime during the month.
- Attend the Saturday, February 8th breakfast at 9:30 am at the Community House. RSVP link by Wednesday.
Week 3
- Parents, look at the table of contents in your book on teens/kids and screen time. What intrigues you? Write down questions and thoughts to share at the Friday, March 7th lunch in Cordelia.
- Look back at your October curriculum to re-engage the topic of core values. You could play the Value Card Game.
- Go over your memory verse for the month. Meditate on the scripture verse, and consider what action steps God might ask you to take.
Week 4
- Look at the Spiritual Conversations resources page on the website.
- Discuss what you are learning this month.
- Practice telling God’s Story as a family. You can watch the video and use your story pieces while Val Stark tells the story.
- Catch up on what you haven’t engaged in yet this month.
Week 1
- Watch the February Introduction video with Laura Hunter.
- Watch God’s Story Video Part 1 with Valerie Stark. Watch Part 2 as soon as you find time.
- Eat the family snack during God’s Story or a Spiritual Conversation.
- Parents read ‘Spiritual Conversations with Your Family’ found in your curriculum. Try these 10 listening skills in your conversations with your children.
Week 2
- Parents: Watch Dr. Russell Hall’s video. Use the corresponding worksheets. Discuss what you are learning with your spouse or another participant in Growing Families.
- Use the conversation cards in your resource bag anytime during the month.
- Attend the Saturday, February 8th breakfast at 9:30 am at the Community House. RSVP link by Wednesday.
Week 3
- Parents, look at the table of contents in your book on teens/kids and screen time. What intrigues you? Write down questions and thoughts to share at the Friday, March 7th lunch in Cordelia.
- Look back at your October curriculum to re-engage the topic of core values. You could play the Value Card Game.
- Go over your memory verse for the month. Meditate on the scripture verse, and consider what action steps God might ask you to take.
Week 4
- Look at the Spiritual Conversations resources page on the website.
- Discuss what you are learning this month.
- Practice telling God’s Story as a family. You can watch the video and use your story pieces while Val Stark tells the story.
- Catch up on what you haven’t engaged in yet this month.
TELLING GOD'S STORY
"The Cross and Resurrection" - Part 1
Watch the video and retell the story using the two gold bags of props.
Watch the video and retell the story using the two gold bags of props.
"The Cross and Resurrection" - Part 2
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
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
Watch as Steph Peterson leads you through the art of weaving. Each of you will respond with a work of art. The weaving looms are reusable so don’t throw them away.
For babies and toddlers
We have another fun rhyme to introduce your babies and toddlers to God’s Story. Watch this sweet video and practice it together.
VERSE OF THE MONTH
“We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders.”
Psalm 78:4 NLT
“We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders.”
Psalm 78:4 NLT
Parent Lesson
“Open up, be present, do what matters”
This month, Dr. Russell Hall teaches us how to help our children, and ourselves, become more resilient. By opening ourselves up rather than avoiding pain, being present in the moment with our children, and making decisions led by our values, we can develop these traits together as a family.
This month, Dr. Russell Hall teaches us how to help our children, and ourselves, become more resilient. By opening ourselves up rather than avoiding pain, being present in the moment with our children, and making decisions led by our values, we can develop these traits together as a family.
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.
