Equipping Parents of Adolescents at Grace Baptist Church, Somerset, Kentucky, to Lead Family Devotions

Abstract

This project first measures the perceptions and practices of the parents of adolescents at Grace Baptist Church, Somerset, Kentucky, in the area of leading family devotions. It then seeks to equip parents of adolescents with the knowledge, skills, and habits necessary to lead family devotions through the provision of a thirteen-week family devotion guide.

Chapter 1 provides the ministry context, defines key terms, explains the limiting factors, shares the rationale, and describes the research methodology used for the project.

Chapter 2 provides the biblical and theological foundations for the project. Five biblical texts provide a foundation for how parents are to teach their children about the Lord in intentional ways (Deut 6:7, Eph 6:4, Ps 78:1-8, Exod 12:1-28, Josh 4:1-24). The leading of family devotions is one way in which parents can fulfill the instruction of Scripture to intentionally teach their adolescent children about God.

Chapter 3 is a survey of the family devotion resources that have been available to parents and pastors since 1950. These resources are evaluated based upon their usefulness in helping pastors equip parents to lead their children spiritually and in equipping parents to lead family devotions.

Chapter 4 describes the project in detail. Parental perceptions and practices regarding family devotions are evaluated initially, followed by training for how to lead family devotions. Parents are then presented with a thirteen-week devotional guide. At the end of this time period, the parents are re-evaluated to determine the success of the project.

Chapter 5 is an evaluation of the project in which it is determined whether the goals have been met; and the strengths and weaknesses of the project are revealed. The chapter concludes with personal reflections from the author regarding the project.

This project provides a greater understanding of how to best equip parents of adolescents to lead family devotions and ultimately results in a resource for parents beyond Grace Baptist Church to utilize in leading their adolescent children in family devotions