Continuity . . . Connect the Children's and Parent's Ministries!

So . . . you have a vision and purpose for your children's ministry and you are watching to be sure each part of your ministry connects to the others, but have you collaborated with the leaders of your parent's ministry to be sure the children's and parent's ministries connect and have continuity? Consider the following . . . 

• Deuteronomy 6 is pretty clear about it being the parent's responsibility - and joy - to be the primary disciplers of their children. There is certainly a role for the church, but it is the parent's primary responsibility; so what do you do to be sure the parents know what their children are learning? Do you communicate regularly - or ever - with the parents?
• Do you take time to be sure the parents know the scope and sequence of what their children will be learning?
• Do you take time to help parents understand the materials their children bring home and how to incorporate it into their family's conversations throughout the week?
• Do you have a unified curriculum so all ages of children learn the same lesson the same week - this makes it significantly easier for parents to continue the conversations at home throughout the week.
• Do you give parents ideas of what to talk about with their children during the week?

Continuity is essential if we want to see lasting results in our children's ministry; and this includes continuity with the parents. Think about what you can do to connect your children's and parent's ministries!