Baptism is the beginning of your child's life of faith. As the primary educators of their children, parents have the privilege and duty of carrying this new son or daughter of God into Christ's family, the Church. With the priest or deacon, godparents, parish, friends, and family, your baby's baptism will be a celebration and sign of lifelong love and grace. Part of the Liguori Sacramental Preparation Series, this book will prepare you for your baby's special day and remind you of your own baptismal promises and calling. It includes: A short history of baptismal practices and traditions The meaning of the sacrament and its symbols A step-by-step guide to the rite
The issue of baptism has troubled Protestants for centuries. Should infants be baptized before their faith is conscious, or does God command the baptism of babies whose parents have been baptized? Popular New Testament scholar Scot McKnight makes a biblical case for infant baptism, exploring its history, meaning, and practice and showing that infant baptism is the most historic Christian way of forming children into the faith. He explains that the church's practice of infant baptism developed straight from the Bible and argues that it must begin with the family and then extend to the church. Baptism is not just an individual profession of faith: it takes a family and a church community to nurture a child into faith over time. McKnight explains infant baptism for readers coming from a tradition that baptizes adults only, and he counters criticisms that fail to consider the role of families in the formation of faith. The book includes a foreword by Todd Hunter and an afterword by Gerald McDermott.
This is the perfect resource for congregations, and parents, to use as they prepare for a child's Baptism. Pastors will want to give a copy of this book to every family having a child Baptized, and parents will want this book in order to more fully understand the gift of Holy Baptism. Inside is useful information such as the Scripture's teaching about Baptism, a look at the Baptism service, and everyday activities that can be done with a child to help him/her after the Baptism.
The most important disciple a parent will make is within their own home, and yet this is the most difficult disciple to make. Family Discipleship by Matt Chandler and Adam Griffin helps readers develop a sustainable rhythm of gospel-centered discipleship through a guided framework focusing on moments of discipleship in 3 key areas: time (intentional time gathering your family around gospel activities or conversations), moments (leveraging opportunities throughout the day), and milestones (celebrating significant life events). Each section provides parents with Scriptures to consider, questions to answer, structures to implement, and ideas to try out as they seek to see Christ formed in their children. Here is a book that begins with the end in mind, offering ideas and examples of what gospel-centered family discipleship looks like, helping parents design their own discipleship plan as they seek to raise children in the love and fear of the Lord.
Baptism and Beyond is a sacramental preparation resource for Catholic parishes. The Baptism and Beyond Parent Guide helps parents to understand the sacrament of baptism and also develop skills to foster the spiritual development of their child in the years between baptism and first eucharist. Part I examines the symbols and scriptures of baptism and complements Session I in the Leader Guide. Part II provides easy-to-understand information about the stages of a child's faith development and simple activities to connect their home with the life of the larger church. Parents are encouraged to use the Parent Guide as an interactive journal and memory book during the initial, formative years of their child's life.
An introduction to the sacrament and ritual of baptism guides little ones through the baptismal ceremony step-by-step, with interactive questions that encourage discussion between parent and child.
Baptism is a huge milestone in the Christian Journey. As a child, understanding baptism is key in order to be baptized. "A Kid's Guide to Baptism" is a workbook written to help your child understand what baptism means, and reasons why they should be baptized. Your child will read through scriptures and answer some tough questions as they work through their faith and determine if they are ready to take the next step and be baptized. They will also learn how to prepare a personal testimony as they ready themselves to make a public declaration of their faith.Book Features: BIBLICAL DEFINITION OF BAPTISMThrough scriptures, your child will study and learn about baptism: what it is, why it is important, and why they should be baptized. DEVOTIONALWhile studying baptism and Christian character your child will answer personal questions relating scripture to their own life. JOURNALParts of this workbook include questions that document the personal faith journey of your child. They will record things they have learned and feelings they experience both before and after being baptized. TESTIMONYYour child will answer questions about their life and faith that will help them craft a personal testimony after the example the Apostle Paul gave to us.
The fourth edition of the bestselling booklet Together at Baptism includes texts from the new English translation of TheOrder of Baptism of Children, which must be used by parishes in the United States beginning on April 12, 2020, but may be used as early as February 2, 2020. Author Robert M. Hamma helps parents understand the sacrament with brief commentaries that provide insight not only on the celebration of Baptism but also on handing on the Catholic faith to their children in the midst of everyday life. Together at Baptism offers parish staff a practical, concise tool to help prepare parents and godparents for the Baptism of a child. It offers both spiritual support and important information about the sacrament. The booklet contains twenty-six brief commentaries by Robert M. Hamma on the essential elements and liturgical texts of TheOrder of Baptism of Children. Parents will learn about their role as first witnesses to the faith, the essential support of godparents, the distinctively Catholic understanding of the sacrament, and the joys and challenges of lifelong commitment to the faith. The familiar and popular features of earlier editions of Together at Baptism remain in place, but have been updated to meet the realities of today’s Catholic families, including shifting family structures, the influences of digital distractions on family life, and the need for basic education about the faith. The words of the baptismal celebration and the three-fold immersion in or pouring on of holy water are the same, but many of the greetings, prayers, and instructions of the liturgy have subtle, important changes shifting the tone to the more formal language of the newest edition of the Roman Missal. These changes affect such elements as: the greeting for the Rite of Receiving the Child; text of the Renunciation of Sin and Profession of Faith by parents and godparents; the post-baptismal Explanatory Rites—the Anointing after Baptism, Clothing with the White Garment, Handing on of a Lighted Candle, and the Ephphatha (be opened prayer); and the formulas for the Prayer of the Faithful. The booklet also contains all the Lectionary readings assigned for the celebration of Baptism, the alternate prayer texts provided by The Order of Baptism of Children, and a selection sheet for parents invited to choose readings, prayers, and other texts for the liturgy.
The journey of faith is spectacular, full of wonder and discovery, but it is also challenging, filled with questions and doubt. This is doubly true for teens who navigate the journey of discovering their faith, while simultaneously discovering themselves. As teens change and grow, so does their faith. Affirm recognizes the difficulties and anxieties that emerge from raising a young person to be faithful. In response, the Affirm Parent Guide provides parents will the tools to be companions to their teens on this journey. As a parent, you’ll be invited to reflect on your own faith, so that you can help them as they learn about their own. The Affirm Parent Guide is full of helpful tips and activities to use as you both strive to grow in your faith and deepen your relationship with Christ.
