PARTNERING WITH PARENTS
TO MAKE DISCIPLES
God calls the family to play a vital role in discipling the next generation. How this is accomplished varies from family to family and is as unique as the DNA of each home. Family discipleship isn’t one-size-fits-all, and it isn’t easy—even the most intentional of Christian parents may find themselves at a loss as to how to begin. At CCO, we want to come alongside parents to help them craft their own approach to family discipleship. Though each family is unique, we believe that vibrant family discipleship can take shape through family worship and a framework of time, moments, and milestones.
FAMILY WORSHIP
Worshiping together is one of the most spiritually significant and influential things your family can do. Our hope is for children to catch a desire and passion for worshiping God by seeing Mom and/or Dad enjoy Him in the corporate gathering. For this reason, we invite our kids (1st - 5th Grade) to join their parents in the main sanctuary for worship. When worship has concluded, the kids will be dismissed to children's church where they will have a special message and activities just for them!
TIME, MOMENTS, AND MILESTONES
TIME
WHAT IT IS:
Parents build intentional time into the rhythm of family life for the purpose of thinking about, talking about, and living out the gospel.
HOW WE HELP PARENTS: We help parents create family discipleship time in the home by providing weekly material and resources that build on and connect to what your child is learning in our programming environments.
MOMENTS
WHAT IT IS:
Parents capture and leverage opportunities in the course of everyday life for the purpose of gospel-centered conversations.
HOW WE HELP PARENTS:
To help parents capture family discipleship moments our Family Discipleship team has created a clear and concise vocabulary list of theological terms. This can be used by parents to teach their kids spiritual concepts such as forgiveness, grace, and salvation.
MILESTONES
WHAT IT IS:
Parents mark and make occasions to celebrate and commemorate significant milestones of God’s work in the life of the family and child.
HOW WE HELP PARENTS:
Milestones are the significant moments and markers in the life of your child and family. They present a unique and very special opportunity to celebrate and remember the Lord’s faithfulness. Additionally, they provide a rallying point for the church and home to partner together for the purpose of celebrating the child and equipping parents. We would love to celebrate each of the following milestones with your family and provides resources and equipping for parents to mark them.
MILESTONE 1 - LOSING YOUR MARBLES CEREMONY
WHEN: 0 - 2 Years Old
WHAT IS IT?: The Losing Your Marbles Ceremony is an event designed to introduce parents to the family discipleship approach at CCO and to one another.
MILESTONE 2 - FIRST BIRTHDAY BIBLE
WHEN: 1 Year Old
WHAT IS IT?: To celebrate a child's first birthday and mom & dad's first year of parenthood with their new baby, CCO Kid's would like to provide a picture bible to our kids.
MILESTONE 3 - KINDERGARTEN BLESSING
WHEN: When a child starts Kindergarten
WHAT IS IT: At the beginning of every school year, the church will have a time of prayer for students, teachers, and parents. There will be a special blessing for students starting Kindergarten.
MILESTONE 4 - GENESIS WEEKEND
WHEN: 4th, 5th, and 6th Grade
WHAT IS IT?: This is a retreat for parents and their kids. During this retreat, parents will have a lot of 1-on-1 time with their kids to discuss topics like identity, self, and manhood/womanhood.
MILESTONE 5 - ASCENSION
WHEN: 6th Grade
WHAT IS IT?: This is a fun service for students and their parents sponsored by CCO YTH to celebrate a students transition from the Kid's ministry to the Student Ministry.
MILESTONE 6 - IDENTITY WEEKEND
WHEN: 7th & 8th Grade
WHAT IS IT?: This is a retreat for parents and their kids. During this retreat, parents will have a lot of 1-on-1 time with their kids to meaningful conversation on topics like identity, sex, and gender.
MILESTONE 7 - HIGH SCHOOL GETAWAY
WHEN: 9 - 12TH Grade
WHAT IS IS?: This is a fun getaway for our high school students. During this retreat, the high schoolers will create memories, discuss deeper topics, and building lasting friendships.
MILESTONE 8 - HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION
WHEN: When your student graduates
WHAT IS IT?: This is a formal ceremony for the youth group and family members to honor those graduating high school. Each graduate will have a chance to share about their experience.