Last week, one of our small group leaders told me this story, and I wanted to share it with you:

“We’ve been in small group with this same set of students for multiple small group sessions now. And these students have known each other for quite some time now, but more often than not, small group was about rallying students together, quieting them down to pay attention, and attempting to herd them in the right direction.

Well this week, our group FINALLY opened up!

We’ve been attempting to get the students to go deep and open up, but this week, our group finally turned a corner, and we had that moment.

During the group members shared deeply impactful and important moments with other members of the group and even indicated that they were trusting the others with this information, because it could be used against them in the future, if it wasn’t handled with care.

At the end, our group all said how much more they appreciate it when our group went like this, and how they felt like they could really trust each other after this night.”

And this, parents, grandparents and guardians is the reason why we do what we do.

Students live in a world where friendships and hollow and temporary, and where most people in their lives are untrustworthy.

In addition to solid friendships, a good small group will also challenge, point and direct students to a deeper walk with Jesus.

Kids don’t always have the words to tell us about their day, but it doesn’t mean they don’t need to. End the Night Right is a tool designed to help create a bedtime habit where kids talk with their parents about their day and parents can point them to wisdom from God that can help!

Purchase “End the Night Right” →

We know kids need to feel seen and known and loved by their families. And we also know they love to hear funny stories about their parents growing up!

Our friends at North Point Community church created the Say What?! Family Game, a brand-new app for you to play during dinner, on the weekends, or whenever there’s time as a fun way to learn more about your kids and for them to learn more about you!

Your kids will know what’s important to your family by the questions you ask and how often you ask them. Create a bedtime habit of checking in with your kids about things you want them to know and grow in. You’re the best person to teach them!

Make a list of topics that are important to you that they learn. Here’s an example: maybe this month, focus on courage. You can help them understand what courage looks like in our everyday lives with these bedtime prompts.

Ask them for anything they might be worried or fearful about.
Kids don’t know what stress is. But they do know if they’re too nervous to eat breakfast before school or worried about going to practice that night. Help them identify anything they might be fearful of and begin to talk about what showing courage in that area might look like.

Talk about courage when you see it.
The best way for your child to understand what it looks like to stand up for what’s right is to show them. Highlight the everyday courageous actions of the real-life people that are all around us.

Care for people first.
It’s always the right thing to care for and value people. When your kids are guided by a basic sense of compassion for others, the courageous actions often become clear.

Remind them they are not alone.
Sometimes when you stand up for what’s right, you find yourself standing alone. Let your kids know that you admire them for standing strong. Remind them that though they may feel alone, in truth, they are never alone. None of us are. God is always with us and has promised that he will be with us wherever we go!

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Communicating with toddlers and preschool aged children can be a challenge and it often ends with a tantrum on the floor. This podcast explores the art of communicating with young children while providing tools to eliminate frustrations for both adults and little ones in the process.

Do you find it difficult to communicate with your child? Have you ever been in the middle of a conversation and thought, “Are they even listening and hearing me?”

I think we’ve all been there, no matter what age our kids are. Here are some tangible ways to better communicate with your child at each phase.

Sometimes when we are in the thick of it with our kids, it’s easy to forget that most of their emotional responses are cries for connection with us. When we feel tired, disconnected, or stressed by our own circumstances, we can miss out on those chances to connect with our kids. Will Hutcherson shares 5 simples tenants with us in his book “Seen” to help us remember the super power that we have as our kids’ parents.

When we show up, they feel loved.

When we see them, they feel understood.

When we just listen, they feel safe.

When we speak life, they feel worthy.

When we develop grit, they feel empowered.

We’ve included a helpful one page printable that you can put on your refrigerator to remind you in those moments when you need it!