Birth to 6 Years
Child Dedication
Get started on the right foot. Dedicating your child allows you to proclaim publicly your desire to raise him or her for the glory of God. Dedications serve as a vessel for parents to express gratitude to God and to acknowledge their responsibility before Him in raising their children.
The Blessing
The art and practice of verbally blessing our children has been largely lost in our culture. It is worthwhile to recapture it! How do you give your child your blessing? Here are some resources to get you started with this ancient, biblical practice:
Understanding HIStory
It’s time to begin to teach your child the broad strokes of the greatest story ever told. Storytime, prayer, and music are all powerful tools for you to employ for this task. RBC’s Quest ministry follows a curriculum throughout the pre-school years, based on the Jesus Storybook Bible. A good place to start is with purchasing your own copy and reinforcing the lessons at home.
Bible Basics: A Baby Believer Counting Primer (book for infants and toddlers)
How to Teach Kids About the Hard Parts of the Bible
The Bible has some challenging passages and events, even for adults, but the wise parent helps their child understand these while they are still young. This collection of articles will help you tackle tough parts of scripture with your children.
Parents who are fearful of talking to their kids about sex leave a void of silence the world will be glad to fill. The problem is, many parents are too afraid to talk to their kids about sex because they don’t want to say “too much too soon.” Unfortunately, “too much too soon” often turns into “too little too late.” Here are some age appropriate resources to help you along the way to overcome confusion, secrecy, and embarrassment about our bodies with truth.
Pre-School (0-5 years old)
Your child will ask the questions that give you an easy opening. Kids at this age are concrete thinkers, so just answer them in the most age appropriate way you can, without using figurative speech or metaphor. Don’t shame them for asking or for being curious about the human body. Shame sends us into hiding and begins to identify you as an unsafe person in the mind of that child. A good place to start is building safety and basic understanding into your child. (good touch/bad touch, body parts, etc)
God Made All of Me: A Book to Help Children Protect Their Bodies (2 to 8 years)
It’s not too early to begin studying your child’s unique bent.
The 5 Love Languages of Children by Gary Chapman & Ross Campbell is a good place to start.
The Kids Flag Page is a fun tool for kids from 3 to 12 years, from Family Matters.
Pre-School (0-5 years old)
Your child will ask the questions that give you an easy opening. Kids at this age are concrete thinkers, so just answer them in the most age appropriate way you can, without using figurative speech or metaphor. Don’t shame them for asking or for being curious about the human body. Shame sends us into hiding and begins to identify you as an unsafe person in the mind of that child. A good place to start is building safety and basic understanding into your child. (good touch/bad touch, body parts, etc)
God Made All of Me: A Book to Help Children Protect Their Bodies (2 to 8 years)
Money Matters
Teaching our children biblical perspectives on real life concerns like money, work, saving, and generosity while they are young, will save them a world of trouble and heartache in the young adult years. Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University provides resources for elementary school through college age children, as well as homeschool curriculum, and other valuable resources.
General
God’s Wisdom for Little Boys and God’s Wisdom for Little Girls by Jim and Elizabeth George will cover many of the character traits you will want to begin building into your child while they are still young (ages 4-7).
6 to 10 (Grade School Years)
The Blessing
The art and practice of verbally blessing our children has been largely lost in our culture. It is worthwhile to recapture it! How do you give your child your blessing? Here are some resources to get you started with this ancient, biblical practice:
Understanding HIStory
By age 7 children are increasingly curious about the world around them, are beginning to think more abstractly, and are developing the cognitive ability to grasp the deep things of God. This is the time to begin transitioning away from story bibles to an early reader translation of the Bible like the NIrV. Here are some other helpful tools as you guide them to see God.
RBC Quest curriculum
Each lesson comes with a parent devotional and discussion prompts to use with your student.
The Bible Project videos
These engaging videos cover word studies, book overviews, and explanations of broad themes, in a way that will draw in you and your student alike.
How to Teach Kids About the Hard Parts of the Bible
The Bible has some challenging passages and events, even for adults, but the wise parent helps their child understand these while they are still young. This collection of articles will help you tackle tough parts of scripture with your children.
Family Quest Mission Trips (4th grade & up)
The Family Life and Quest ministries take a parent-child mission trip to Brazil biennially over Spring Break. These are powerful trips for giving your child a vision for missions, the church of Jesus around the world, and parent-child bonding around the Gospel.
(9+ years) EtS with a parent
Equipping the Saints (EtS) is a series of modular discipleship classes offered at RBC throughout the year. All of these classes would be appropriate for children from age 9 and up if attending with a parent. Children in the middle and high school ministries may attend on their own.
Parents who are fearful of talking to their kids about sex leave a void of silence the world will be glad to fill. The problem is, many parents are too afraid to talk to their kids about sex because they don’t want to say “too much too soon.” Unfortunately, “too much too soon” often turns into “too little too late.” Here are some age appropriate resources to help you along the way.
Grade school (6+)
It’s time to begin getting more intentional and direct with your child. Their friends will already be getting disinformation from the world, so you need to be sure to get there first with the truth.
The Talk: 7 Lessons to Introduce Your Child to Biblical Sexuality (book)
The Wonderful Way Babies Are Made (Bethany Backyard)
Protect and Prepare
People raise children in dangerous places all over the world; in deserts, jungles, and all sorts of other hostile environments. These places are full of any number of plants, insects, and animals that can kill or maim you. How do any of these children survive to adulthood?! The answer is in the double-edged approach of protecting and preparing. Providing basic safety, so that the hard work, of preparing our children to live with the dangers, can occur. One will not succeed without the other. Our digital jungle is no different. These video and print resources will help get you started. Welcome to the jungle!
Watch videos from RBC pastors on how to protect and prepare your kids
Download parent resources (PDF) with helpful books, articles, and websites
If you haven’t already started, it’s time to begin studying your child’s unique bent.
The 5 Love Languages of Children by Gary Chapman & Ross Campbell is a good place to start.
The Kids Flag Page is a fun tool for kids from 3 to 12 years, from Family Matters.
Grade school (6+)
Your child will ask the questions that give you an easy opening. Kids at this age are concrete thinkers, so just answer them in the most age appropriate way you can, without using figurative speech or metaphor. Don’t shame them for asking or for being curious about the human body. Shame sends us into hiding and begins to identify you as an unsafe person in the mind of that child. A good place to start is building safety and basic understanding into your child. (good touch/bad touch, body parts, etc)
God Made All of Me: A Book to Help Children Protect Their Bodies (2 to 8 years)
(10-11 years) 5th grade rite of passage
5th grade shepherd groups happen in the winter/spring of your child’s 5th grade year, and are focused on the S.H.A.P.E. of a young man or women of God. These end with a rite of passage event involving Mom or Dad.
Money Matters
Teaching our children biblical perspectives on real life concerns like money, work, saving, and generosity while they are young, will save them a world of trouble and heartache in the young adult years. Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University provides resources for elementary school through college age children, as well as homeschool curriculum, and other valuable resources.
The Children’s Book of Virtues by William Bennett
Storytelling is a powerful way to teach important virtues to our children, and has been for millenia. This book of classic tales from around the world will help to infuse godly values into your children in a way they will enjoy.
God’s Wisdom for Little Boys | God’s Wisdom for Little Girls
Storytelling is a powerful way to teach important virtues to our children, and has been for millenia. This book of classic tales from around the world will help to infuse godly values into your children in a way they will enjoy.
Other important wisdom topics for this age
All of these traits are transmitted best by a multi-sensory approach; verbally, visually (example), and in practice. (1 Timothy 4:12)
- Choosing friends wisely
- Service – loving God by loving others
- Honesty
- Courtesy & Respect
- Developing a sense of the appropriate (behavior based on situation and environment)
- Forgiveness & compassion
- Generosity & thankfulness
- Table manners – (excusing oneself from the table, eating politely, posture, etc)
- Work ethic
- Honor – (think chivalry, class, and integrity)
9 to 13 (Middle School Years)
The Blessing
The art and practice of verbally blessing our children has been largely lost in our culture. It is worthwhile to recapture it! How do you give your child your blessing? Here are some resources to get you started with this ancient, biblical practice:
Faith Talks
Spiritual formation takes place in the context of everyday life, “as you walk along the way,” and through open, honest communication. As our children get older this becomes more difficult. No longer are they willing to simply sit and listen to our discourse (if they do, you can be pretty sure they are just waiting for you to be finished with the “lecture” so they can move on). They have their own thoughts, feelings, doubts, and questions. As parents, we need to make the shift from monologue to dialogue if we hope to see them grow spiritually. The following resources will help you keep the conversation going.
Discuss THIS!
Deeper Connections through Great Conversations: Open-ended questions are often just the thing to get families interacting – and Discuss THIS! has 52 of them! Anyone who wants to deepen relationships with the kids in their lives and encourage their faith, will love this card collection! Non-confrontational, Bible-based, and fun! Designed for ages 12 and up.
New City Catechism
The New City Catechism is a modern-day resource aimed at helping children and adults alike learn the core doctrines of the Christian faith via 52 questions and answers. This is a great dinnertime conversation starter for all ages.
(9+ years) EtS with a parent
Equipping the Saints (EtS) is a series of modular discipleship classes offered at RBC throughout the year. All of these classes would be appropriate for children from age 9 and up if attending with a parent. Children in the middle and high school ministries may attend on their own.
Parents who are fearful of talking to their kids about sex leave a void of silence the world will be glad to fill. The problem is, many parents are too afraid to talk to their kids about sex because they don’t want to say “too much too soon.” Unfortunately, “too much too soon” often turns into “too little too late.” Here are some age appropriate resources to help you along the way.
Protect and Prepare
People raise children in dangerous places all over the world; in deserts, jungles, and all sorts of other hostile environments. These places are full of any number of plants, insects, and animals that can kill or maim you. How do any of these children survive to adulthood?! The answer is in the double-edged approach of protecting and preparing. Providing basic safety, so that the hard work, of preparing our children to live with the dangers, can occur. One will not succeed without the other. Our digital jungle is no different. These video and print resources will help get you started. Welcome to the jungle!
Watch videos from RBC pastors on how to protect and prepare your kids
Download parent resources (PDF) with helpful books, articles, and websites
Middle school is a confusing time; a virtual “no man’s land” between childhood and the teen years. Helping your child discover more about how God has uniquely created and gifted them for service in His body the church, can provide your student with a sense of purpose that can help overcome many of the crisis they will face. One great tool RBC provides for you is our Equipping the Saints class, “One Body, Many Parts; where do I fit?” They will learn what it means to be a part of the “church,” have a chance to do a personality profile, spiritual gifts test, and discuss how they may fit into God’s bigger picture for His people. This is a great class to take together with your young disciple.
13-year-old rite of passage
Raising a Modern-Day Knight / Raising a Modern-Day Princess (book)
Take a mission trip
Both the Junior High and the Family Life ministry offer opportunities to get to the mission field with your student. This is a wonderful rite of passage experience.
Money Matters
Teaching our children biblical perspectives on real life concerns like money, work, saving, and generosity while they are young, will save them a world of trouble and heartache in the young adult years. Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University provides resources for elementary school through college age children, as well as homeschool curriculum, and other valuable resources.
Other important wisdom topics for this age
All of these traits are transmitted best by a multi-sensory approach; verbally, visually (example), and in practice.
- Maintaining healthy friendships (more asset friends than liability friends)
- Service
- Honesty
- Courtesy & Respect
- Developing a sense of the appropriate (situational awareness for clothing, speech, and conduct)
- Forgiveness & compassion
- Generosity & thankfulness
- Table-manners: eating out with class (how to speak to wait-staff, tipping, and more)
- Work ethic
- Honor (think chivalry, class, and integrity)
- Confidence in social situations
- Read “How to Win Friends & Influence People” – Dale Carnegie
- Meeting new people – shaking hands, eye contact, etc.
- Think before you speak. Proverbs 17:28
The Book of Virtues by William Bennett
Study Buddy Bible Study Guide: Proverbs – Growing in Wisdom by Amber Lia
13 to 17 (High School years)
The Blessing
The art and practice of verbally blessing our children has been largely lost in our culture. It is worthwhile to recapture it! How do you give your child your blessing? Here are some resources to get you started with this ancient, biblical practice:
Faith Talks
Spiritual formation takes place in the context of everyday life, “as you walk along the way,” and through open, honest communication. As our children get older this becomes more difficult. No longer are they willing to simply sit and listen to our discourse (if they do, you can be pretty sure they are just waiting for you to be finished with the “lecture” so they can move on). They have their own thoughts, feelings, doubts, and questions. As parents, we need to make the shift from monologue to dialogue if we hope to see them grow spiritually. The following resources will help you keep the conversation going.
Discuss THIS!
Deeper Connections through Great Conversations: Open-ended questions are often just the thing to get families interacting – and Discuss THIS! has 52 of them! Anyone who wants to deepen relationships with the kids in their lives and encourage their faith, will love this card collection! Non-confrontational, Bible-based, and fun! Designed for ages 12 and up.
New City Catechism
The New City Catechism is a modern-day resource aimed at helping children and adults alike learn the core doctrines of the Christian faith via 52 questions and answers. This is a great dinnertime conversation starter for all ages.
EtS with a friend
Equipping the Saints (EtS) is a series of modular discipleship classes offered at RBC throughout the year. All of these classes would be appropriate for high-school age students.
(Senior year of High School) Gird yourself
You’ve followed the path of parenting, you’ve done your best, and prayed them through to this point. Now it’s time to release them to fly. Before you do, it is a wise pilot instructor who gives his student one more pre-flight briefing.
Preparing Your Teens for College (book by Alex Chediak)
Ravencrest – a Torchbearers International retreat center
Ask It (video study with Andy Stanley – available on RightNow Media)
Prepared (video study w/ Andy Stanley – available on RightNow Media)
Parents who are fearful of talking to their kids about sex leave a void of silence the world will be glad to fill. The problem is, many parents are too afraid to talk to their kids about sex because they don’t want to say “too much too soon.” Unfortunately, “too much too soon” often turns into “too little too late.” Here are some age appropriate resources to help you along the way.
Protect and Prepare
People raise children in dangerous places all over the world; in deserts, jungles, and all sorts of other hostile environments. These places are full of any number of plants, insects, and animals that can kill or maim you. How do any of these children survive to adulthood?! The answer is in the double-edged approach of protecting and preparing. Providing basic safety, so that the hard work, of preparing our children to live with the dangers, can occur. One will not succeed without the other. Our digital jungle is no different. These video and print resources will help get you started. Welcome to the jungle!
Watch videos from RBC pastors on how to protect and prepare your kids
Download parent resources (PDF) with helpful books, articles, and websites
Preparing for Marriage
You’ve been modeling marriage before your children for 15 years, now it’s time to begin to explain the example in concrete terms.
Begin the conversation with what to look for in a godly spouse and how to be a godly spouse worth finding now.
Here is a useful resource for how to prepare now to be a husband/wife in the future.
High school is a time of big decisions. What college, what major, what sports & activities, what are my strengths, what is my purpose in life? Helping your student discover more about how God has uniquely created and gifted them for service in His body the church, and in the world, can give them a sense of purpose and help to navigate some of these big life questions. The Equipping the Saints class “One Body, Many Parts; where do I fit?” is a useful tool for this. They will learn what it means to be a part of the “church,” have a chance to do a personality profile, spiritual gifts test, and discuss how they may fit into God’s bigger picture for his people. This is a great class to take together with your young disciple.
Senior High Mission Trip
Consider applying for one of the many mission team opportunities offered through the GAP ministry at RBC.
16-year-old rite of passage
This important age coincides with more adult responsibilities like driving, holding a part-time job, and beginning to think of the post-high school years. Creating a special event, dinner, or weekend away in order to verbally bless your son or daughter, honor them, layout their new freedoms, responsibilities, and your expectations of them in this phase of life, and explain the changing relationship they have to you. This is a wonderful time for exhortation and encouragement of your young person.
Money Matters
Teaching our children biblical perspectives on real life concerns like money, work, saving, and generosity while they are young, will save them a world of trouble and heartache in the young adult years. Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University provides resources for elementary school through college age children, as well as homeschool curriculum, and other valuable resources.
Other important wisdom topics for this age
All of these traits are transmitted best by a multi-sensory approach; verbally, visually (example), and in practice.
- Maintaining healthy friendships (more asset friends than liability friends)
- Finding and holding a job – creating a resume, first impressions, application and follow up, being on time, a teachable spirit, etc.
- Service
- Honesty
- Courtesy & Respect – Addressing authorities (law enforcement, elders, coaches, teachers), how to behave on a date or with friends of the opposite sex.
- Developing a sense of the appropriate (situational awareness for clothing, speech, and conduct)
- Forgiveness & compassion
- Generosity & thankfulness
- Table manners: eating out with class (how to speak to wait staff, tipping, and more)
- Work ethic
- Honor (think chivalry, class, and integrity)
- Confidence in social situations
- Read “How to Win Friends & Influence People” – Dale Carnegie
- Meeting new people – shaking hands, eye contact, etc.
- Think before you speak. Proverbs 17:28
