Just as we celebrate the first tooth, first steps, and first word, we also celebrate the firsts of our faith lives. This year, the Children’s Ministry at Decatur Presbyterian Church is launching a Milestones Ministry to celebrate milestones for children of every age level.
The Milestones Ministry includes hands-on activities, family engagement, and special events. The intention is to provide for all types of learners, support the family unit, and connect with the larger church. Children, like adults, are at various places on their faith journey. The following guide gives you a starting point with your child. The information is cumulative, so the hope is that by the time a child moves into the youth group in 6th grade, they will have a solid faith foundation.
The following Faith Milestones are intended to encourage children to take the formation of their faith seriously. They also serve as a guide to help support parents and other adults in the congregation in investing in the lives of children. Children can begin at any stage of life; these do not have to “be completed” in a certain order. This is a guide for their faith journey that is ongoing throughout their entire lives.
Decatur Presbyterian’s mission statement includes this charge, “Every child of God—belonging, engaging, being transformed.” In the Children’s Ministry, we are committed to love, connect, and nurture all families seeking faithful living. We are committed to actively working with families to support children with special needs. We pray the milestones project will be meaningful for every child of God.
Infants and Toddlers
An early spiritual affirmation for a child is knowing that they belong. At this stage, faith development comes in the form of relationships. Children innately recognize that relationships are special. One of the most important things we can do for our kids is expand their nurturing circle. The church is a great place for children to experience the love and care of other people. From the nursery workers to the adults they meet in the hallway, we come together at church to build a strong foundation.
Young children learn faith as they learn more about themselves and others through play and sharing. At this stage, a child begins to sense that they are an individual loved by others. In Jesus Christ, God came as close to us as possible and showed us how to be in a relationship with one another. We learn about God by loving others and understanding that others love us. At this stage, children begin to understand that Church is a special place to feel welcomed.
Though baptism can happen at any time, Presbyterians often practice infant baptism. In this sacrament, we recognize that God loves and claims our little ones even before birth. Baptism takes place during the worship service in front of the larger congregation to show the support of the community of faith for the family. The water demonstrates the power of clean, fresh starts on our discipleship journeys.
Infant Guide
- Talk to a Pastor at DPC about the meaning of the sacrament.
- Schedule your child’s baptism.
- Place the special certificate and a short note about the day in your child’s Faith Milestone Memory box. This will help share the story about their baptism with them as they grow.
- As you hold your child, say a prayer out loud for them.
- Set aside time each day for uninterrupted play time with your baby.
- Talk with a Pastor at DPC about how you can plug into the community of faith. Surround yourself with various people who can support you and your child in life.
- Make time for self-care. Being a parent to an infant requires a lot of your time focused on another human being. You can’t show your baby the love they need and deserve if you are running on empty. Prioritizing your needs is not selfish.
Toddler Guide
Concepts:
- God is love.
- God created all things, including me.
- God is good.
- God takes care of me.
- God loves me.
- Jesus is a special baby sent by God.
- Jesus is my special friend.
- Jesus loved children.
- I belong to God’s family.
- I am an important part of the Church.
- God wants me to be kind to others.
- Learn to say I’m sorry to others.
- Learn that day and night are a part of God’s dependable plan.
- Become aware of how wonderfully we are made through the five senses.
Bible Skills
- Begin to learn Bible stories by reading a Bible Storybook with parents.
- Know that the Bible is a special book God gave us to learn about God.
Spiritual Practices/Worship Skills:
- Take a meal to a sick friend or family member (or other act of service).
- Be able to name something the child wants to thank God for.
- Say blessings before meals: Thank you, Father or God is Great and God is God, or Oh, the Lord is Good to Me.
- Prayer is the way we talk to God
- Be able to name something they want to thank God for
- Bringing an offering to church is a way to say thank you to God and to serve God.
- Showing kindness to others through acts of service with family
- Add pictures of practices or artwork to your child’s Milestone Memory box.
- Parents: model the Golden Rule from Matthew 7:12: “Treat others the way that you want to be treated.” Talk openly about what you are doing and thinking, even if there are times when you don’t make all the right choices. Being honest with your child about mistakes helps them to see that they are still deeply loved when they don’t get it right and have a chance to make different choices in the future.
Songs
- Jesus Loves Me
- The B-I-B-L-E
- Away in a Manger (first verse)
- Go, Tell it on the Mountain
- Come, All Ye Faithful (chorus only)
- We Are the Church
- Praise God, Praise God
- This Little Light of Mine
- Easter Song
PRE-K
God gave us the Holy Scriptures in order to learn more about who God is and what God intends for us. As Presbyterians, we do not read the Bible literally. But we do believe it is Spirit-inspired and authoritative for our lives. The Bible’s stories matter to who we are and what we do. They show us God’s love in Jesus Christ. Help your child learn the basics of Bible stories by encouraging wonder and engagement with the texts. Wonder with your child to demonstrate that wonder is a spiritual practice that we do for the rest of our lives.
Concepts
- Know the names of the pastors.
- Children can serve God by joining the choir.
- Jesus told stories about God’s love.
- The Church is not a building: the Church is people.
Bible Skills
- Identify the Bible as a special book
- Become familiar with these Bible stories. Choose one of the stories below to read with your child before bedtime or after breakfast. Wonder with your children about the part they liked best and what part they think is the most important. Re-reading these stories is important at this age to help build a foundation and also practice regular scripture reading and study.
- Creation story
- Jesus birth
- Jesus’ death and resurrection
- Noah and the flood
- Moses as a baby
- Jesus in the Temple
- Good Samaritan
- By the end of the year, be able to share one Old Testament and one New Testament story with an approved adult- Sunday School teacher, Choir Director, or Pastor
Spiritual Practices/Worship Skills
- Watch the cross being carried into worship
- Watch the acolytes light the candles
- Say a short prayer to thank God and say “I’m sorry to God.”
- Attend worship service for the presentation of the PreK Bible and add a picture of the day to your child’s Faith Milestone Memory box (Check communications for details and a date).
- Start attending Children’s Chapel at least twice a month
Songs
- Jesus Loves the Little Children
- He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands
- God is so Good
- Down in My Heart (I’ve Got the Joy)
- Zacchaeus Was a Wee Little Man
KINDERGARTEN
Children are born with an innate sense of connection to God. One of the ways to develop this spiritual gift is through music. We believe music will usher children into the presence of God. Encourage your Pre-Kindergartener and Kindergartner in service to the church through learning songs of faith by participating in choirs, singing during worship, and singing at home. Help children at this stage to see that spiritual formation happens in and outside of church. Read the Bible, pray, and wonder together as a family to help children see that they have access to God wherever they are.
Concepts
- Know the names of the pastors.
- Children can serve God by joining the choir.
- Jesus told stories about God’s love.
- The Church is not a building: the Church is people.
Bible Skills
- Listen to Bible stories
- Know that the Bible has two parts: The Old Testament and the New Testament
- Know that the Bible is made up of many smaller books
- By the end of the year, be able to share about one of the people of the Bible with an approved adult- Sunday School teacher, Choir Director, or Pastor
- Become familiar with these people of the Bible:
- Adam and Eve
- Noah
- Abraham and Sarah
- Joseph
- Moses
- Ruth
- David
- Mary and Joseph
- Jesus
- Peter
- Paul
Spiritual Practices/Worship Skills
- Be able to sing the doxology
- Find hymn numbers in the hymnal
- Stand up to sing hymns
- Tell God you are sorry during silent prayers of confession (in worship and at home)
- Listen during the intergenerational moment in worship.
- Pray for family and friends
- Attend Children’s Chapel at least twice a month
- Attend Baptism workshop (Check communications for details and date). Add a piece of artwork and/or picture from this day to your child’s Milestone Memory box.
Songs
- The Doxology
- Silent Night, Holy Night
- Father, I Adore You
First Grade
- Children are comforted to know that Prayer is a way to talk to and spend time with God. Children will learn gratitude by thanking God for blessings, forgiveness by telling God they are sorry, and empathy by praying for people beyond family and friends. This year, encourage your child to connect with God through regular Prayer, personally (at home) and corporately (at or with the church).
Concepts
- The Golden Rule: “Treat others the way that you would want to be treated.”
- Sin is things we do that we shouldn’t and things we don’t do that we should.
- God forgives us because God loves us. God helps us to forgive others.
Bibles Skills
- Learn how to use the Table of Context in the Bible
- Name the 4 gospels
- Memorize 2 verses of scripture
- Become familiar with these Bible stories and people by spending consistent time together reading scripture. (builds on PreK stories):
- Abraham & Sarah’s big family
- Exodus and Moses
- Exile
- John the Baptist
- Jesus’ Teachings, Parables
- Ascension and Appearances of Christ
Spiritual Practices
- Pray for people beyond our family and friends.
- Ask a pastor, Sunday school teacher, parent, or another adult if she/he has a prayer request. Pray for the person and the request for a week.
- Practice gratitude by telling God and others what you are thankful for.
- Welcome children who are new to the church, school, or other activities.
Worship Skills
- Attend Children’s Chapel or Sunday school at least twice a month.
- Be able to talk about the cycle of the church year.
- Make a promise to those being baptized
- Attend worship service to celebrate moving from Children’s Chapel to participating in worship (Check communications for details and date). Add a picture of this day to your child’s Milestone Memory box.
Songs
- This is the Day
- Rise and Shine
- Amazing Grace
Second Grade
Children have a strong sense of right and wrong. Help them learn more about compassionate ethics through the stories of faith. Learn about God’s covenant promises, the “Ten Best Ways” to live, and respect for all creation. For faith to “stick”, we all need to know how ancient stories still impact our lives. This year, support your child as she/he digs more deeply into the Biblical text.
Concepts
- The Holy Spirit is a guide inside us and at work in the world.
- Ten Commandments
- God wants us to be good stewards of what God gives us. We practice stewardship by giving to the church and taking care of what we have. Covenant is a holy promise between God and people. God is always faithful to God’s covenant.
Bible Skills
- Become familiar with these Bible stories and people by spending consistent time together reading scripture. (builds on previous stories):
- Tabernacle
- Temple
- Prophets
- Jesus’ Work
- Pentecost, Peter, and Paul
- Show knowledge of stories as either Old Testament or New Testament
- Memorize the Ten Commandments
- Understand the Psalms as expressions of faith and that we can express our faith as honestly as the Psalms.
- Be able to talk about how stories and verses from the Bible apply to our daily lives.
Spiritual Practices
- Ask thoughtful questions of the scripture to a Sunday school teacher, parent, pastor, or other adult
- Identifying when you saw God during your day.
Worship Skills
- Be able to identify the Prayer of Adoration, Confession and Assurance of Pardon, and Passing of the Peace. Tell why we do these things in worship.
- Pass the offering plate and put money in it
- Follow the verses in the hymnal
- Attend Worship 101 class during Sunday morning worship (Check communications for details and a date). Add pictures or artwork from this class to your child’s Milestone Memory box.
Third Grade
- Children are filled with reverence. Worship participation encourages the cultivation of this innate sense through prayer, music, Bible readings, and sacraments. This year, your child will participate in worship leadership and stewardship season and memorize and recite the Apostles’ Creed.
Concept
- God gives us talents to use to honor God.
- Have a better understanding of the life and teaching of Jesus.
- Understand that regular attendance and active engagement in worship are expressions of a love for Church.
- Have a better understanding of the work of the Holy Spirit
Bible Skills
- Know how to locate scripture by book, chapter, and verse
- Learn the first 5 books of the Bible in order
- Become familiar with these Bible stories and people by spending consistent time together reading scripture. (builds on previous stories):
- Isaac and Rebekah
- Jacob
- Leah and Rachel
- Miriam
- Joshua
- Deborah
- John the Baptist
Spiritual Practices
- Understand the importance of regularly giving of your time, talent, and money.
- Share your talents with the church and community.
- Create a space in your home where you read the Bible and pray regularly.
Worship Skills
- Memorize and recite the Apostles’ Creed for pastor, teacher, and/or other leader.
- Pledge time and talents to the church in November on Commitment Sunday.
- Give to the church regularly.
- Participate in Worship Leadership as Greeter, Usher, Liturgist, Musician, Acolyte, Crucifer, etc.
- Attend the worship service and reception for the presentation of 3rd-grade Bibles (Check communications for details and date). Add a picture of this day to your child’s Milestone Memory box.
Fourth Grade
Children are concrete thinkers. In our tradition, the sacraments are a visible representation of the invisible grace of God. The Lord’s Supper is an opportunity for people of all ages to come close to God while God comes close to us. This year, you and your child will explore the biblical roots of this sacrament and the rich meaning of the bread and cup.
Concept
- Communion is to remember how much we are loved by God.
- All are welcome at the table for communion
Bible Skills
- As you read stories in your Bible, use the map to locate the different cities.
- Find scripture and follow along
- Become familiar with these Bible stories and people by spending consistent time together reading scripture. (builds on previous stories):
- Solomon
- Isaiah
- Jeremiah
- Esther
- Elijah
- Nehemiah
- Read the story of the Last Supper in all 4 of the gospel books (Matthew 26:17–30, Mark 14:12–26, Luke 22:7–39 and John 13:1–17:26)
Spiritual Practices
- Bake bread on a communion Sunday to share with your family.
- Create artwork to say what you understand is happening at communion
Worship Skills
- Put in order the parts of a worship service including the celebration of the Lord’s Supper.
- During communion, pass the elements (bread and cup). Know how to participate in communion by intinction.
- Learn the Apostles’ Creed.
- Know when the church year seasons of Advent, Lent, and the day of Pentecost are and why we observe them.
- Attend Communion workshop (Check communications for details and date). Add a picture and/or a piece of artwork from this day to your child’s Milestone Memory box.
Fifth Grade
Christian faith and love are expressed in service. This milestone introduces the biblical foundation of service and mission and culminates in a service project planned and completed by students and their families. Other emphases this year include connecting to nature, understanding other faith traditions, and developing Sabbath practices.
Concept
- Differentiate between Christian and secular practices for major holidays.
- Be able to explain the idea of Sabbath and how one can practice it.
- Learn to respect other faith traditions
Bible Skills
- o Be able to recite Psalm 23
- Memorize 5 new verses
- Identify and locate key passages: The Ten Commandments, Narratives of Jesus, Lord’s Prayer, Beatitudes.
- Know the location of all the books of the Bible
Spiritual Practices
- Practice Sabbath by spending uninterrupted time in ways that connect you to God
- Practice Creation Care by recycling, helping in a garden, walking, or riding a bike to church or school
- Plan and organize a service opportunity for friends or your family.
- Participate regularly in service opportunities.
Worship Skills
- Be able to share something about why baptism and communion are important practices of the church.
- Be able to tell one thing from the sermon after worship.
- Be able to explain the different parts of the worship service and their importance.
- Attend the worship service and reception to transition into the youth group. (Check communications for details and a date.). Add a picture of this day to your child’s Milestone Memory box.
Memory Verse Suggestions
- Genesis 1:1
- Exodus 34:6
- Deuteronomy 6:4-5
- Joshua 24:14-15
- Psalm 8
- Psalm 23
- Psalm 103
- Psalm 121
- Psalm 122
- Psalm 150
- Micah 6:8
- Matthew 5:3-12
- Matthew 25:40
- Matthew 28:16-20
- Luke 12:48
- John 3:16
- Acts 1:8
- Romans 8:28
- 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
- 1 John 4:19
