child & family| Baptist Magazine New Zealand

Children, church & mission

For the sake of the generations to come, who is the church called to be? And what might a refreshed theological vision that answered that question look like? KAREN WARNER considers these questions and offers a catalyst for further discussion.

Education choices for Christian families

Will your faith inform how your children are schooled? PETE SLANEY explores the pinnacles and pitfalls of three educational choices.

Getting the whole story

We constantly form stories about other people through our own experiences and from what we know, see, believe or even feel about them. SARAH RICE looks at how images used in child sponsorship marketing may be shaping how we view people in poverty.

Bursting into Flame

Teaching children about a holy God can seem daunting! Where do you even start? Here, Scripture Union New Zealand considers how we can encounter God through the Bible, and we caught up with one Kiwi family who have built daily rhythms into their family life to help them know God. What can we learn here about the life-changing holiness of God?

Growing an Intergenerational Church

Throughout much of Christian history, the intergenerational church was the norm. However, in the last several decades we have built a church with distinct silos, separating ministry with children, youth, and adults. Diana Langdon takes a look at what we have to gain if we reconnect the generations, and what we have to lose if we don’t.

Childhood Norms

Think of the changes in the past two millennia – they are extensive! Our children live lives that would in many regards be unimaginable for the children of Jesus’ time. In this two-part article, Sarah Harris considers a childhood in the Nazareth of Jesus’ day.

Awakening Spiritual Parenting in Today's Families

Perhaps you are like me; everywhere I turn, there is someone having an inspiring discussion about Family Ministry and the need to raise up spiritual parents in the home. Or maybe you relate more to my experience as a young mom, wondering, “will I make it through this day alive and sane?!” Yet now, just one year away from being an empty nester, I can’t help but wonder how it all happened so fast!

What's Spiritual about Parenting?

In the April issue of the Baptist Magazine, Michelle Anthony shares some thoughts with us about spiritual parenting. She notes that, “spiritual parenting is not perfect parenting but rather imperfect parenting from a spiritual perspective.” Here, she unpacks this a little further with some practical pointers.

Emotional Resilience in Children

What is the reassurance a child needs when they discover Dad loves alcohol more than he wants to provide for them? What hope does a child need to know when Mum is terminally ill? What reassurance would be strong enough for them to cling to when their parents decide divorce is their best option?

Spirituality with Children

Our children have a wealth of spirituality that may be expressed and nurtured in a number of ways. Journeying with our children enriches both them and us and can help all know more of God.

How Would Jesus Parent?

Just imagine if Jesus had been a parent, and if he’d designed a parenting course for his followers. It would run on six Tuesday nights during the school term, at 7:30pm in someone’s lounge, with cake to share and ring binders of notes, right?