Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it. – Proverbs 22:6

Every weekend that we share with our faith community here in Wake Forest is positive, full of life, and encouraging. However, if my wife, Rebekah, had to choose one particular Sunday each year as her favorite, there’s a good chance she’d say, “Placing God’s word into the hands of the children.”

GOD’s WORD: Here at WFPC our 3rd-graders complete a three-month “Prep-for-Worship” course and then receive their Bible in church. It’s a big deal, they’re all very excited, and Rebekah takes the time to talk to each child individually. This year she told each of them the meaning of their name, and placed a word in their hearts that captured the joy of taking God’s good word into our very selves, and living it out in our lives as followers of Jesus and Children of the King.

We pour a lot of time and resources into children’s ministry here (WFPC Children’s Ministry Page), Lisa Baker is a phenomenally gifted director, and we have a lot going on.

The new “His Kids” 9:00 worship is a big hit, as is traditional children’s worship at 11:15; “STARS” on Wednesdays engages kids and their parents; “Club 4/5” has been humming; Sunday School between services rocks; and of course Vacation Bible School 2015 is looking like another blockbuster in the making.

By the time these children head into youth group they are grounded in scripture and enthusiastic about growing in faith.

Additionally, the active overlap with discipleship ministries is doing more and more to equip parents. The new adult-ed class for young families is bursting with energy, Wednesday night’s parenting workshop has been well-received, and a number of small-groups are addressing the needs of dads, moms, couples, and more.

EXCITEMENT! It’s all exciting stuff, and it’s full with life around here every week! But there was something extra special about this past Sunday morning, so I’m sharing a bunch of photos so that you can feel some of the energy too.

The scripture I started with is the “classic,” but this passage from Deuteronomy speaks volumes to me about the tremendous opportunity – and responsibility – we all own to raise our children to personally know and love their wonderful Creator.

“Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” – Deuteronomy 6:5-9

This is what we’re all about here at WFPC. It’s a good word for the church, and it’s a good word for us as families, and as individuals too.

Peace, blessings, and “Hear, O disciple…!” – DEREK