LEGACY MILESTONES

According to a recent survey by George Barna, most parents in America believe that it is their responsibility to instill spiritual truth in the life of their children. Deuteronomy 6, Psalm 78, and Ephesians 6:4 compel parents to take the spiritual training of their children very seriously. As parents, our best effort at spiritual training is often bringing our kids to church. This is only a small part of the solution. At Kingsland we believe it is our job to equip parents to effectively train our children in the Christian faith as they do the common things of life. Faith is far more important than just two hours on Sunday. How does a parent take on the responsibility of “primary faith trainer” in the life of his growing child? First, the parent grows in his or her own understanding of the Bible and relationship with Christ. Second, parents learn how to effectively practice age-appropriate family devotions in their own home. Finally, parents learn to equip their children for the natural, spiritual milestones of life.

At Kingsland, our spiritual formational process for preschoolers through graduating seniors is designed around six Legacy Milestones. Kingsland partners with the parents to equip preschoolers, children, and students with the Biblical and practical understanding to experience the next phase of life. In this way we build a legacy of faith into the next generation. We have created a simple path for families to walk on called LEGACY MILESTONES. This is literally the pathway for parents to walk as they train their children in the faith. All of our events, seminars, and processes at Kingsland are designed to support this pathway.

Milestone #1 Parent/Baby Dedication

Staff Contact: Barbara Brennan, Minister to Preschool
Event: Parent/ Baby Dedication
Seminar: First Steps (required for everyone participating in Baby Dedication)

The first step on the legacy pathway is Parent/Baby Dedication. This is a seminar and a ceremony that occurs for parents who have children between birth and one year of age. Parents, through a two hour required seminar, learn how to become primary faith trainers for their children and accept the responsibility. Resources and learning opportunities are provided for the new parents desiring to dedicate their child to the Lord. During the ceremony, the church body commits to partner with the parents in the faith development of the child for the duration of the journey.

Milestone # 2 Salvation & Baptism

Staff Contact: Vicki Hoyle, Minister to Children
Event: Baptism
Seminar: How to Lead Your Child to Christ

An important milestone in the life of every person is salvation and baptism. For the child growing up in a Christian home and in the context of a local church, a decision point is often reached between the ages of 7 and 11. This decision may also occur later in life. Between Milestone #1 and Milestone #2, we partner with and equip parents to lead their kids toward a personal relationship with Jesus Christ which leads toward salvation. Parents are encouraged to attend a seminar that teaches the biblical truth about salvation and baptism.  Parents are equipped and given resources to lead family devotions in their homes where these principles are taught.

To make these milestone steps memorable and special, families can include a Spiritual Birthday celebration which focuses on the child's date of salvation and a family celebration at and following the child's baptism event.  Parents are encouraged to invite family, friends, and those who spritually influence the child.

Milestone # 3 Preparing for Adolescence

Staff Contact: Vicki Hoyle, Minister to Children
Staff Contact: Patrick McCrory, Minister to Students
Event: Road Trip; 4th and 5th grade retreat
Seminar: Preparing for Adolescence: Parent Edition 

It is so important to help children prepare spiritually, emotionally, and physically for adolescence. Between the ages of 10 and 12, we begin to introduce these concepts to kids as they attend church ministries and activities at Kingsland. We also equip parents to intentionally prepare their children to enter the teen years. Parents are encouraged to attend a two hour seminar called Preparing for Adolescence: Parent Edition. This seminar teaches the basics concerning talking with your kids about relevant issues such as physical changes, identity in Christ, and sex. Parents will learn how to use James Dobson’s CD series called Preparing for Adolescence in the course of a road trip for just you and your maturing child.

Milestone # 4 Purity for Life

Staff Contact: Patrick McCrory, Minister to Students
Event: True Love Waits Commitment Ceremony
Seminar: Purity for Life

In Junior High in our culture, it becomes blaringly obvious that we must address “SEX” from a biblical perspective. The Kingsland Student Ministry partners with parents by teaching students the importance of accountability, healthy friendships, and biblical standards for purity. At the same time we think it is much more important for students to learn these principles from their parents. We coach parents to focus on these issues in family devotions and intentional conversations throughout the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade year. In our parent seminar we provide resources to help in those conversations and devotions. We encourage all students and parents to participate in a True Love Waits weekend on our campus during the eighth grade year. Parents give their student a ring as a symbol of the purity commitment made by the teenager.

Parents with Teens Student Family Devo, written to coincide with the Bible Study for Life curriculum, is used on Sunday morning.  You can find this under the resource's page at the top right hand side of the page.  Just click and you will be sent to a page containing a PDF document with the devotional.

Heart Connex devotionals is written by Richard Ross, Assistant Dean, Division of Human Growth & Development, Professor of Student Ministry at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.  These devotionals can be found at www.heartconnex.org.

Milestone # 5 - Rite of Passage

Staff Contact: Patrick McCrory, Minister to Students
Event: Rite of Passage Ceremony
Seminar: Preparing My Student for Adulthood

The passing of a child into adulthood is a significant event. Biblically, we must equip our children to become men and women of God. Age 16 is a significant time of freedom in our culture. Rite of Passage is not about keys to the car; instead, it is about becoming a man or woman of God. In our seminar we will equip you to disciple your freshmen and sophomore students for adulthood. Issues such as spiritual gifts, the roles of men and women, spiritual disciplines, service in the church, dealing with failure, and other Biblical issues will be explored both in your family devotion and on campus at Kingsland. We teach parents to host a very special “Rite of Passage” ceremony as the discipleship process has been completed and the student enters his or her 16th year of life.

Parents with Teens Student Family Devo written to coincide with the Bible Study for Life curriculum used on Sunday morning.  You can find this under the resource's page at the top right hand side of the page.  Just click and you will be sent to a page containing a PDF document with the devotional.

Heart Connex devotionals is written by Richard Ross, Assistant Dean, Division of Human Growth & Development, Professor of Student Ministry at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. These devotionals can be found at www.heartconnex.org.

Milestone # 6 - High School Graduation

Staff Contact: Patrick McCrory, Minister to Students
Event: Senior Summit
Seminar: Preparing My Student to Leave Home

Between the ages of 16 and 18, parents must help their students develop the practical and spiritual skills to leave home. Our seminar teaches parents how to prepare their students for the world outside of the nest. This can be a very healthy time in the family journey if parents continue to keep the lines of communication open with their students. Issues such as basic apologetics, courtship and marriage, determining the will of God, life skills for living away from home, and other biblical issues will be explored both in family devotions and on campus at Kingsland. We teach parents to write out a spiritual blessing for their child to be presented at the Senior Summit just before graduation. These important years of discipleship are our last chance to shape the faith of our children before they are on their own.

Parents with Teens Student Family Devo is written to coincide with the Bible Study for Life curriculum used on Sunday morning.  You can find this under the resource's page at the top right hand side of the page.  Just click and you will be sent to a page containing a PDF document with the devotional.

Heart Connex devotionals is written by Richard Ross, Assistant Dean, Division of Human Growth & Development, Professor of Student Ministry at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. These devotionals can be found at  www.heartconnex.org.