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FAITH FORMATION MATTERS
June 2021
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New from the Faith Practices Project

This month we released resources for the practice of wonder as part of the Faith Practices Project—a year-long dive into twelve life-giving spiritual disciplines. Find highlighted posts and resources below, or explore our webpage for more ideas for practicing wonder individually, with a group, or at home. We’ll release new resource sets on other practices monthly, so check back often on the project landing page.

Wonder: Glimpsing a Surprising God

by Chris Schoon, director of Faith Formation Ministries

Imagine for a moment the giddiness of a four-year-old trying to tell you about how a butterfly paused on the very tip of their nose and looked straight into their eyes.

Or picture another child, arms spread wide, head tilted up toward the sky, mouth gaping, their tongue out as far as they can stretch it, dizzy with delight as they catch the first snowflakes of the season.

Or think of looking through a telescope and seeing for the first time the divots on Earth’s moon, the glimmering rings around Saturn, or the cluster of stars we call the Milky Way.

I, for one, find myself caught up in a sense of wonder when I slow down enough to notice the brilliant orange of a Baltimore oriole, the sweet aroma of a lilac bush after a spring rain, or the way a cacophony of “ribbiting” frogs can evolve into a symphony of forest musicians. In some of those moments, I’ll borrow the psalmist’s cry “Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” (Psalm 8:1, 9) because it seems so fitting. At other times, lingering in silent gratitude is all I can manage.

Continue reading »

The Life-Changing Spiritual Discipline of Wonder

Nearly a half-century ago, when I was about 7, a moment of wonder changed my life forever. 

I was lying on the floor of my great-grandma’s little lake cottage, giving my easily-fried skin a break from the summer sun. In front of me was a coloring book, open to a cartoonish drawing of mushrooms. 

As I busily filled in the mushroom caps and stems with red and orange Crayolas, my mom sat down next to me. After a minute she asked, “Do you want to see something?” Using a darker crayon, she showed me how to shade one of the mushrooms to make it look three-dimensional—and the doors blew off my world.

Continue reading »

Try This Fresh Idea for Helping Families Explore Faith Practices This Summer

What if, this summer, instead of providing a variety of things for a family with children to do, we provided them with simple faith practices to help them be; encouraging and equipping them to explore each practice at their own pace?

Read about summer family faith formation »

Starting Small: Creating Consistent Faith Practices, One Baby Step at a Time

Jill Benson, our Dwell Curriculum Coordinator, shares how small steps toward faithfulness can build into life-changing leaps.

Take a small step and read more »

Building Blocks of Faith Toolkit

We’re renovating and expanding our Building Blocks of Faith Toolkit—stay tuned for an announcement this fall! In the meantime, learn more about how the Building Blocks can help you assess faith formation efforts in your church, Christian school, or other faith community.

Overview of the Building Blocks of Faith »

10 Ways to Help Your Family Grow in Faith

For many Christian parents and caregivers, the idea of helping children grow in faith is intimidating. Before you do anything else, exhale. Family faith formation is a journey, not a destination, and growing in faith is an adventure, not a checklist. "Ten Ways to Help Your Family Grow in Faith" gives parents ten affirming tips for beginning a journey of family faith formation in everyday life.

Download this resource for free »

Faith Formation Resource Corner

5 Ways to Wonder with Kids

Encouraging curiosity in kids helps them want to learn more. A sense of wonder is an important part of their faith development too! Here are 5 ways to promote curiosity and wonder in your family life. Download 5 Ways to Wonder with Kids for free.

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The CRC’s Faith Formation Ministries is supported by Ministry Shares and by donations from individuals like you. Your gifts help us support ministry leaders, provide curriculum and other resources, and equip CRC churches with new ways to help people grow in faith. If you would like to partner with FFM in this exciting work, please click below.

About Faith Formation Ministries
Faith Formation Ministries (FFM) supports CRC congregations as they carry out their callings in faith formation and discipleship. FFM recognizes that each congregation has a unique identity, history, context, and calling; FFM listens, dialogues, and then suggests ideas and develops resources to strengthen these ministries. Coaching conversations with our regional catalyzers range from a fifteen-minute check-in on a small detail to a year-long congregational re-visioning journey—and anywhere in between. If you face a faith formation question or challenge, let's talk!

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