by Kirsty Dronfield

It’s no secret, I would love to be a mum! I don’t know if it’s in God’s plan for me – that’s another story for another day – but I am an auntie. This gives me the privilege of being able to talk to my niece and nephews about God. But to be honest, most of the time I feel like I waste that privilege…. do you ever wonder: ‘Are my non-parent friends even interested in my kids’ spiritual lives? If so, how can I encourage that in an appropriate way?’

Everywhere we go, we’re surrounded by symbols. Even the youngest children can recognise the logos of their favourite brands and television shows, and many will recognise the symbols and icons that help us to navigate the digital world. The Christian faith is also full of symbols. For centuries, we have used symbols such as the cross, the dove and the ichthus to share our values and beliefs.

By Janine Parkinson, Scripture Union

I grew up in a volatile home, love was scarce and smacking and shouting was plentiful! I can’t pin all the blame on my parents as my father came from an abusive home; the eldest of six children who then buried his head into the royal marines which left him even harder and unable to show love. My mother was a war baby adopted from birth in 1945 and has suffered with her mental health ever since. So really, circumstances hadn’t been kind to them; both introverts trying to bring me up - an extraverted, touchy feely, desperate for love girl. I probably wasn’t the easiest child to relate to.

by Joanne Gilchrist

Over the years, I’ve come across several anecdotal versions of ‘spiritual styles’ but last year, while writing Next Steps to Following Jesus with Shell Perris, I stumbled across David M. Csinos’s academic research while listening to Ronni Lamont on UCB Radio. I was intrigued because Shell and I had decided to add different ‘pathways’ for children to respond to the Bible text, based on different personalities or learning styles.

When my son was young, he liked me to act out the Bible. He wanted to “see it” for himself. When he was four he gave his heart to Jesus, completely off his own back, in a shop car park. He said “Mummy I’ve never asked Jesus into my heart let’s do it now”! A perfect example of childlike faith.

by Joanne Gilchrist

"I’ve never been much of a walker but I grew with a youth leader who loved hiking! One day, our youth leader decided we should start prayer-walking round the streets of our home-town on a Friday evening. Great, I thought. Two of my least favourite things - walking and praying aloud. But something amazing happened on those prayer walks and I found my voice. I discovered I could pray in a way I’d never imagined. I prayed with passion, with conviction - in spirit and in truth. What was it that made the difference?"

by Joanne Gilchrist, writer and founder of Ruach Resources

What version of this question have you or your child ever asked? Perhaps “Can God help me?”, “Will God protect me?” or even “Why didn’t God protect them….?” I’d love to shed some light on where God can be found in the storms of life and how you can help your child run to the strong tower of God and his word.

by Fiona Walton, primary school teacher, author, Mum and Grandma

As adults perhaps a question we are inclined to ask is, “Where is God to be found when I need him?” or as children might put it, “Where does God live?”

What does the Bible say?

by Susan Box, illustrator and Designer “Conversation Starters”

Ask most people what advent means to them and you’ll hear mention of chocolate shapes behind cardboard doors, ordering turkeys or rushing to get the last “must-have” toy.

But, as followers of Jesus, advent is a time of watching and waiting. It’s a season all of its own, and we’re missing out if we treat it as simply a stepping stone to Christmas Day.

by Ashley Davidson, Mum, Pastor and Author

I believe our children’s generation is one that is destined to walk in the supernatural gifts of God. I have heard so many prophetic words about their generation seeing revival, seeing God’s glory and a move of the Holy Spirit so great that it changes our world. Because of this, my heart is to raise my kids in an atmosphere where they daily experience God’s tangible presence, receive His blessing and have shared experiences and encounters with each other and Holy Spirit.

by Celeste Majcher, Author.

Do you know how hard it is to be a Christian and suffer from depression? 

The entire world tells you that your faith should be enough, that God should heal you and that feeling depressed is ungodly. 

In fact, any kind of negative feelings are often characterised as unchristian. Anger? Anxiety? Fear? Jealousy? Sadness? All wrong according to the worldly expectations of our faith. 

by Becky Sedgewick, Parenting for Faith

For most of us, our journey of parenthood starts with a tiny person handed to us. And our instinct is to protect them, keep them close and keep them safe from everything.

But we can’t do that. So what we do is to start to equip them to manage being out there in the world. How do we prepare our children when it comes to social media.