Family Ministry
Our Programs and Activities
Bethany Kids
Our Sunday School program offers engaging Bible lessons, interactive activities, and fun crafts designed to teach children about God's love and the stories of the Bible.
Bethany Youth
The Youth Group meets weekly for fellowship, worship, and discussions on faith and life. We also organize outings, service projects, and special events to foster community and spiritual growth.
Special Events
Throughout the year, we put on various events for children. From our Easter Club to sports week, we offer fantastic ways for children to learn about Jesus in a fun and dynamic environment.
Our Vision
We envision parents embracing the roles for which God created them, faithfully guiding their families as they disciple their children, praying for and with them, and studying the Word and worshiping together at home.
Whether you are a parent, a friend, an aunt or uncle, a grandparent, a mentor or ministry worker/volunteer, there is a job for you to do in the lives of our families and we want to equip everyone to do this effectively.
Why we believe this is important?
Faith development in children is crucial
Did you know the vast majority of Christians come to faith before the age of 19, yet research shows that just 50% of children growing up in Christian homes will keep their faith as adults.
Traditionally, the ‘church’ has sought to develop structured programmes to disciple children and there is something powerful about children learning from one another and doing activities they enjoy together. However, when we consider how many children and young people are leaving the church before adulthood, it is clear that solely relying on children's work to develop children's faith isn't enough.
It's not all about church programmes!
Children spend considerably more time with their parents or carers than anyone else. In fact, it would take 421 years for the church to spend the same amount of time a parent or carer has with a child before the age of 10. An hour on a Sunday will never be enough!
We realise that not every child we have contact with will have Christian parents or carers, but when they do, the biggest influence on them growing up with a lasting faith will be their parents or carers.
So, how can we shift our focus? How can we equip our parents and carers so that children's faith is nurtured at home as well as at Bethany?
But requires a 'whole church' approach
We’re building on our existing foundations and adopting a 'whole church' approach to Family Ministry.
This will mean some minor changes, but we believe the most effective family ministry takes place where we:
· Intentionally put parents at the centre of children's faith development
· Create an environment where intergenerational relationships can develop
· Build a culture where there's a place for children to serve and belong
That involves everyone!
Moses’ words to the newly formed people of God in Deuteronomy 11:18-19 offer us great insight:
‘Fix these words of mine on your hearts and minds; teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.’
As a church we need to think beyond our youth and children’s work programmes and focus on how we can empower our parents and carers, and how we can mobilise our wider church community to support faith within family life. As our parents intentionally weave faith into everyday activities, this will build firm foundations where faith can grow.
And does not happen overnight
What we are developing is not a quick fix activity, event or programme but a long term strategy for cultural change.
Whether the families we are in contact with have been Christians for years, are beginning to explore faith or have no faith at all, building relationships with them will help them to know they and their children are a valuable part of our church community.
So watch out for some changes in the way we do things, some exciting plans we have in progress and most importantly play your part in helping us to become a welcoming church, that values children, empowers parents and becomes a connected community.
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