After the first Growing Kids God’s Way parenting videos were produced in 1988, an overwhelming number of Christian educators, Pastors, and class facilitators told us they needed a resource that could help them maximize the learning potential of their students. Since that time to the present, the Growing Kids God’s Way Leader’s Guide has faithfully served that purpose. The 2008 edition represents a considerable advancement on the earlier works and contains numerous tools and resources to help class facilitators maximize their teaching and relational investment. Our hope and goal is with the aid of this website resource and the Leaders workbook, every class facilitator will find their discipling experience richer and more meaningful as they serve other parents with the life giving message of Growing Kids God’s Way.
Relationship Between Website Resources and the Printed Leader’s Guide
We designed the Growing Kids God’s Way Leader’s Guide to interact closely with the resources on this website. You will find the menu of teaching tools on the buttons to the right. You will find three major categories: General Ministry Mechanics, Class Forms, and Lesson Support and Student Handouts. Here is a quick guide to each.
General Ministry Mechanics
These resources were designed specifically to help church leaders and class facilitators begin, manage and lead parenting classes in a small group setting. Articles in this section include:
1. Getting Started with Growing Kids God’s Way: (How to implement a parenting ministry.)
2. Class Format and Locations: (Covers the how, what, where and why of structuring a class.)
3. Tips for a Successful Class: (Practical suggestions for helping leader’s get started.)
4. GKGW Chapter Summaries (A brief synopsis of each video presentation.)
5. Additional Resources
Class Forms
This section includes non-educational forms relating to setting-up and managing your classes. All forms are in a Microsoft Word* format and can be easily adapted to meet the unique needs of individual leaders and churches. This may include placing the church name on the application or the class facilitator’s personal contact information. The forms can also be adapted to work with the other GFI curriculum. In this section you will find:
1. Class Registration Form
2. Attendance Sheet
3. Refreshment Sign-up
4. Class Schedule
5. Prayer Request Forms
6. Video Run Times
7. Class Evaluation Form
Lesson Support and Student Handouts
The Lesson Support and Handouts reinforce the educational elements of the Growing Kids God’s Way. Here you will find a variety of practical charts, teaching aides, even report cards to help measure the progress of class participants. The handouts can be used ‘as is’ or revised to meet the unique needs of your class. Use them with confidence; they are proven resources helping parents transfer biblical principles into practice. In this section class facilitators will find:
1. Lesson Review Cards (In business card format)
2. Couch Time Motivators
3. Couch Time Grading Sheet
4. Couch Time Report Card
5. Touchpoint Test (Adults)
6. Touchpoint Test (Children)
7. Father’s Mandate Cards (In business card format)
8. Sample Father’s Mandate Letter
9. Class Aides & Fun Ideas
About the Growing Kids God’s Way Leader’s Guide
In terms of content, the Leader’s Guide parallels the Growing Kids God’s Way student text, page for page. The Leader’s section is located at the end of each chapter, highlighted by the gray side tabs.
What the GKGW Leader’s Guide Contains Chapter by Chapter
1. Growing Kids God’s Way Chapter Outlines with answers filled in
2. Video Run Times
3. Answers to the Questions for Review
4. Key Principles in Review
5. Possible Discussion Topics
6. Scripture References for each chapter
7. Leader’s Notes and helpful suggestions to reinforce Key principles from selected chapters
We believe the success of any leader is in part, tied to their familiarity with the resources listed above. In addition to this workbook and the website resources, Growing Families International offers leadership training throughout the year, and most noteworthy at our National Leadership and Alumni Training Conference held each July. These training opportunities are packed with helpful workshops and keynote messages geared toward encouraging and equipping leaders at every level from just starting out with a local GFI ministry to seasoned leaders of many years.
Finally, we wish to personally thank all of our class facilitators for joining the vision to reach the world for Christ one family at a time. Our goals today are the same as when this ministry first began; to help parents become fully devoted followers of Christ and teach ‘God’s Way’ to their children. The advantage we have today is your partnership. Enjoy your journey as parents and mentors of a new generation of Moms and Dads.
Gary and Anne Marie & the National GFI Leadership Team (2008)* Trade Mark