Children's ministry

What Is Faith @ Home

It's easier to say what Faith@home isn't than what it is. It's not a program or a sermon series. Neither is it the latest church fad.

In fact, the latest research offers a sobering reality regarding Faith@Home. Fewer than 10% of parents who regularly attend church with their kids read the Bible together, pray together (other than at meal times) or participate in an act of service as a family unit. Only 28% of churched youth have talked with mom about faith. Only 13% of churched youth have talked with dad about faith. And finally, 69-94% of evangelical children are leaving the church shortly after they graduate from high school.

Admittedly, this problem is tempting to lay at the feet of our culture. It's Hollywood's fault, or the work of secularism run rampant. But is it really that easy? The Scriptures are clear that the home is where faith is nurtured and passed from generation to generation. (Deuteronomy 6:1-9, 2 Timothy 1:5). If so, is it time then to look at the log in our own eye?

Could it be that the church has become such a trusted partner for "outsourcing" spiritual growth that a robust, Christcentered spiritual life in the home seems less important? Research suggests that the answer just might be yes.

So what do we do? Part of the solution is to continue shaping ministry programs so that they are increasingly homecentered. In short, that's Faith@Home—an initiative to help us fully embrace this difference. Interested? Then please read on.

“As the man goes, so goes the marriage. As the marriage goes, so goes the family. As the family goes, so goes the church. As the church goes, so goes the nation" -Rob Reinow

For a complete detail of Faith @ Home, please contact our Minister to Children, Jamon Speed, at 281-354-3339 or

Who's It For?

Close Do you have a home? An apartment? A dorm room? Is your house full of kids? Are you newly married, single, or now living in an empty nest? Then Faith@Home is for you.

The home—your home, whatever it looks like—is where your faith wears shoe leather. To use a biblical term, it's where faith becomes incarnate, literally where your faith becomes apparent "in meat." When this happens, the home is where a faithful person becomes a fruitful person.

It's obvious really. If we're different people at home than we are at church on Sunday morning, people notice. On the other hand, if we live out the gracious, loving spirituality that makes a typical Sunday morning such a special time, then people will notice this even more. That's why we say, "Faith begins at home, or not."

Jesus said it best, "…let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16 ) The people who notice your light will likely be your kids, grand kids, friends, neighbors, and even your co-workers.

Consider that Faith@Home is one of the best strategies for fulfilling the great commission—to go and make disciples of all nations. And you can start doing it right in your own Home.

Why Is It Important?

Reason #1 – The Antidote to Hypocrisy

* One of the primary reasons why people leave, or do not engage in, the Christian faith is hypocrisy. Many have grown up in or around Christians who act, dress and behave one way at church while they live a completely different way a part from church.

* Faith@Home is critical for both churches and individuals today as it strikes at the core deterrent that is turning many people away from Christianity. Faith@Home is about helping people live a 24/7 Christian lifestyle not a one hour, at church only, Christianity.

Reason #2 – Top Influence

* When Christian teenagers were asked to identify the things that influenced them to become and remain Christians the top two influences identified were mom and dad. In fact, mom and dad were two to three times more influential than any church program.

* It is clear that what happens at home is more influential than what happens at church. While church programs are important they are secondary in impact to the influence that the home life has on faith development and nurture.

Reason #3 – Multi-Generational Impact

* The choices and decisions we make today will not only impact us but it will impact our children and grandchildren as well.

* The good news is that the decision we make today, to be a Faith@Home household and Faith@Home focused church, will not only impact us but it will impact future generations as well!

Where Does It Happen?

Close At home, of course. But that raises an obvious question: What about church? Shouldn't it be the center of any good Christian's spiritual life? Actually yes, but the role of the church is to be a life-long partner, not replacement or drop off center. In Deuteronomy 6:20 Moses writes, "In the future, when your son asks you, "What is the meaning of the stipulations, decrees and laws the Lord our God has commanded you? Tell him…" When your son or daughter asks you, "What does it mean to be a Christian?" What are you supposed to do? Are you supposed to take them to church and drop them off so the experts can explain it? NO! YOU are supposed to tell him/her.

And the role of the church is to be a place that will help you KNOW the story of Christ and what it means to be a Christian so you can TELL the story and BE the story in the context of your own home. What happens at church is an important reinforcement but it is not the primary process for Christian living.

Martin Luther once stated that we were called to be the Bishops, Apostles and Priests of our own homes. The church will train you, equip you, encourage you and support you in the role you have to be a "Bishop, Apostle, or Priest" in your own home yet we must never lose sight of the fact that what happens in the home is more important than what happens at church. That is where the rubber truly hits the road. That's why we must be Faith@Home focused individuals living in a life-long partnership with Faith@Home focused churches.

Take It Home Events

Close Take It Home Events are designed to be a systematic approach to build Faith @ Home specifically with parents and their kids. The purpose of the events is to bring parents together with their kids to learn a new faith skill/topic that they can continue developing in the home. Take It Home Events will occur monthly on Sunday mornings at 9:15am and will cover a wide array of important skills/topics that are strategically paired with specific ages/grades from Birth-12th grade. These skills/topics include Baby Dedication, Discipline, Family Blessing, Family Worship, Corporate Worship, The Bible & Prayer, The Church, Salvation & Baptism, Family Service, Money, Peer Pressure, Rite of Passage, Defending the Faith, Dating/Purity, Media, Biblical Roles, Life Preparation, and Graduation.

Basically each Take It Home Event will consist of three elements:

• Explain- A teaching/instruction time where the purpose and value of the particular skill/topic will be addressed

• Model- A demonstration time where you are shown practical ways to incorporate and develop the skill/topic in your home

• Practice- A hands-on time where you can practice and have direct involvement with the skill/topic

2012 Events (PDF)