Faith Stepping Stones + Living Forgiven

Stone #5: Living Forgiven

A three-session course for late elementary children and parents in the church and community.

What is the purpose of this Stone?

• To teach the importance of living a forgiving, forgiven lifestyle
• To teach the meaning of Holy Communion as a preparation, preview or review for children and parents
• To add confession and absolution (that is, calling parents and children to say "I’m sorry" and "I forgive you"...every night in every home) to the nightly bed time ritual of reading one Bible verse each night, the sharing of Highs & Lows, prayer, blessing, and putting children to sleep with music that features God’s Word

What Sessions are included with this Stone?

Three sessions on Biblical history from Passover to the Lord’s Supper, the Meaning of the Meal, and the concept of living a forgiven, forgiving lifestyle:

Session 1: From Passover to Last Supper

Lead parents and their children to understand and experience the origin of the Lord’s Supper and its roots in the Passover.

Session 2: The Meaning of the Meal

Lead parents and their children to understand and experience the meaning of Holy Communion.

Session 3: Living Forgiven

Lead parents and their children to understand the importance of living a forgiving, forgiven lifestyle.

Additional Details on Stone #5:

No matter what age first communion is celebrated, an argument can be made for offering a communion instruction course for preadolescents and their parents together. By the time children reach Year 4 to Year 6age, parents and children usually have more than ample reason to talk about forgiveness and absolution.

Stepping Stone 5: Living Forgiven ends at the altar with a family communion service where the parent serves the child and the child serves the parent. Then both pledge together to confess and forgive each night, and to continue the nightly verse, Highs & Lows, prayer and blessing, and bedtime music that feature the Word of God.

If you have any questions about the Faith Inkubators Australia Faith Stepping Stones system, please contact Faith Inkubators Australia, at bcyfm@lca.org.au.