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Book Review: Faith at Home by Wendy Claire Barrie

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Faith at Home Book Review

Faith at Home: A Handbook for Cautiously Christian Parents by Wendy Claire Barrie is fantastic. I’ll just make my assessment clear from the get-go. It would be a valuable addition to any home or church library. It’s better than its cover lets on and is a must-read for all of us interested in passing onto our children our Christian faith, a different understanding of the Christian faith than the one we grew up with, or our newly-found Christian faith.

FREE PDF: We’ve put together some helpful information for you to know as you think about buying this new work by Barrie and included much of it in a downloadable PDF which you can get for free. Be sure to scroll to the bottom to get your free outline of the book.

Quick Facts about Faith at Home

Title: Faith at Home: A Handbook for Cautiously Christian Parents
Author: Wendy Claire Barrie
Publisher and Date: Morehouse Publishing, 2016
Page Count: 160 pages
Price: $16 on Kindle, $12.23 on Paperback

About Wendy Claire Barrie

Faith at Home Book ReviewBarrie writes Faith at Home out of her experience as a parent and a Christian educator, directing programs for children, youth, and families since 1989 in seven Episcopal congregations, large and small on both coasts. She is presently serving Trinity Church Wall Street in lower Manhattan and has served as Vice-President and board member of Forma, a network of Christian formation professionals.

Field, Form, and Audience

Faith at Home resides within the fields of faith formation and family ministry. The book’s 160 pages are broken down into eight chapters. These include: Talking about God, Talking with God, Bible Stories, Why Church?, Seasons and Celebrations, Making Home Holy, Finding God in Difficult Times, and Meeting God in Others.

First, Barrie identifies the complexity and challenge of speaking about faith with our children in this ever-globalizing and pluralistic world when many of us disagree about who and what God is. She navigates this quite well, as it’s obvious she’s wrestled on her own and is writing authentically about how she has formulated her theology. Barrie writes from a uniquely Christian perspective and also possesses a clear openness to, and inclusion of, varying points of view and other faith traditions.

Furthermore, Barrie writes with candor, hope, and lightheartedness. An education in Christian family ministry is not necessary to enjoy and apply the suggestions in this handbook. Barrie includes practical ideas in an approachable manner. The title states that the book applies to parents only. Yet, it would be a fantastic resource for grandparents, caregivers, church ministry leaders, and teachers, too.

Resources, Tips, and Ideas

Faith at Home Book ReviewBarrie clearly wants her readers to go forth and do. Not only does she say that, but she makes it easy to do. Throughout the book, Barrie includes references for further reading in the book, even a sprinkling of children’s Bibles she recommends. And, in the back, she gives a list of readings for children and adults. She goes so far as to include a glossary of some of the terms that may be unfamiliar. Faith at Home breaks down each topic simply. Barrie goes about describing ways of welcoming spiritual disciplines into the home, e.g.: prayer, scripture reading, and rituals for each liturgical season as well as celebrations like meal times and birthdays.

She gives practical advice for speaking to children and others in times of difficulty and tragedy. She follows that with a chapter aimed at assisting our children in their relationship with God and their fellow humans by exposing them to varying traditions and perspectives. Her long list of refreshingly simple but nevertheless engaging suggestions makes this a great resource to pull from during all seasons.

Barrie ends with a couple of notes, one to caretakers and one to church leaders. To parents, she encourages risk and faith, both in God and in their own intuition as they go about nurturing their children’s faith. To church leaders, she encourages them in their role as resources for parents, who are the primary pastor of their own children. She challenges leaders to migrate toward a model of church that is based on an intergenerational approach, i.e.: keeping children and youth engaged in church rather than sent off to their own programs.

Potential Uses

This book would be a great choice for…

  • Parenting classes and workshops hosted in your church
  • Gift for parents at baptism
  • Gift for parents after the birth of a child
  • An addition to the church library
  • Gift for a Christian educator or family ministries director

Areas of Improvement

First, as I stated previously, the cover art could be more compelling. Second, it would be helpful to have questions for each chapter. They would be fabulous fodder for conversation among parents in a class, small group, or workshop. Reflecting and sharing could make for deeper meaning and even richer cultivation of families’ faith at home.

Conclusion

Faith at Home Book ReviewOverall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who has the desire to nurture the faith of children. It’s a quick read filled with practical ideas in a style that invites and encourages caretakers in their own journey. I tend to be disappointed often in the offerings out there for building faith at home. Seldom have I come across a family faith formation book that…

  • is realistic about what parents can actually do given the demands on families
  • acknowledges the hesitation that so many parents feel in passing on their faith tradition
  • possesses a theologically progressive and unapologetically Christian perspective
  • presents the content in such an encouraging, non-critical way
  • offers such a wide range of ideas for the entire year that require intention but little to no prep

If you’re looking for ways to inspire your children in their discovery of God, buy the book. You’ll be happy you did.

BOOK GIVEAWAY: Click here to receive your outline review of the book as a bonus gift!

Connecting with Kids Amidst School Year Craziness

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Connecting with Kids

Connecting with Kids Amidst School Year Craziness

I don’t know about you, but my summer is flying by like I’ve been drivin’ 90mph in a convertible. So fun! And so fast. Cue the tears and whimpering. As we prepare to say goodbye to summer, we may also be bracing ourselves for the increase in crazy that the school year can bring. Homework, projects, tests, sports practices, music lessons, tournaments, volunteering, productions, lunch packing can all seem somewhat daunting. And, holy cow, the driving. The driving! Now the driving is so often copious, but what if…? What if all that driving creates precious space for connecting with kids?

Connecting While Driving Here and There

Over here at ICM, we’ve been reflecting on just what a gift the extra car time is for meaningful conversation with kids. In the busyness, we can lose track of each other and long for the windows of connection we found during our summer road trips, slow mornings and family BBQs. But the space for connecting with kids is still there while zipping around town from activity to activity. And we’ve come up with a few ideas for doing just that. We’d love to hear in the comments below how you’re connecting with kids amidst school year craziness, too. Whether they’re your kids you’re driving around, kids you care for or neighborhood kids in your carpool, give us your ideas!

FREEBIE: And if you want to download a colorful printable list of these ideas to keep in your car, be sure to click here for this week’s freebie!

Connecting with Kids Amidst School Year Craziness

Ways Of Connecting with Kids Without Even Talking

Sharing Music: It can be hard to keep up since the music scene so rapidly changes in the Information Age. Nonetheless, find out what music your kids are listening to and what their favorites are. As you’re driving around, have it playing. This works for all age groups, keeps us parents young at heart, and helps your kids feel like you value their interests. Play some of your music from when you were a child, too; it may even be hip again. (Let’s be real, it never went out of style.) This may bring up stories you can share with your kids about that time in your life. It could expand their musical preferences. Or maybe you just laugh together at how ridiculously bad it is now.

Moments of Silence: As life gets busy, one of the first things to get squeezed out is time to get quiet. I get consumed by the tasks, and all other things can get sidelined. This is true for our kids, too. And with cell phones constantly in hand that keep our brains whirring even when we’re not actively doing anything at all beyond scrolling, we can struggle to remain centered in our lives. Before beginning a drive together, take a few moments to just be quiet, take a few deep breaths and receive God’s peaceful presence in your midst. Not only can this practice set the tone for what’s ahead in the day and lower stress, but it also improves overall health, too.

Connecting with Kids Amidst School Year Craziness

Ways Of Connecting with Kids Through Conversation

Gratitude Alphabet: This will likely work best for kids ages 3-10 years or so. Going through the alphabet, share a thing you’re thankful for in your life right now. Go around the car, each person taking the next letter in succession. For example, the first person to start could say something like, “I’m thankful for my best friend, Annie.” Then, the next person is on B and says, “I’m thankful that I got to bat during P.E. baseball today.” Next person is on C, and so on. This encourages gratitude in our kids and conversation between you and them. Additionally, it can give a window into what has gone on in your children’s recent days. A few other great ways of expressing gratitude can be found in our post on ten different ways to pray with kids.

Silly Descriptions of the Day: This will likely work well for kids 7 years old and up. As the day comes to a close and you drive home, ask your kids how they would describe their day in various silly ways. Use any of the following prompts and others you think up.

If your day was…

  • …an animal, what would it be and why?
  • …a type of geographical terrain, what would it be and why?
  • …a TV show, what would it be and why?
  • …a song, what would it be and why?
  • …a sport, what would it be and why?
  • …a flower, what would it be why?
  • …a piece of clothing, what would it be and why?
  • …a smell, what would it be and why?
  • …a movie, what would it be and why?
  • …a type of food, what would it be and why?

We would love to hear how you’re planning on connecting with your kids this coming school year in those in-between times. Share your ideas with all of us in the comments section below!

FREEBIE: Don’t forget to download your freebie!

10 Ways to Pray with Kids

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10 Ways to Pray with Kids
FREE BOOKMARK: We have a special gift for you. One of the prayer ideas below is a 5-Finger Prayer, and we have created a unique printable bookmark for you to use with your family, or perhaps you’d want to email it out to families in your church or community. If you would like to download it, click here.
FAMILY RESOURCE ON PRAYER: If you want to check out a brand new resource on prayer, be sure and look into An Illustrated Lent for Families: Reflections on Prayer. You can check it out and download a FREE sample here.

10 Ways to Pray with Kids

Discovering ways to pray with children offers them space for connection with God and, not surprisingly, has been shown to improve well-being time and again. Consequently, we give our children an invaluable and timeless gift when we teach them how to pray. Additionally, it’s a gift they can carry with them throughout all of life. At ICM, we think this is so important we compiled a list of 10 ways to pray with kids. Pick and choose, mix and match any way you’d like.

Pray Through Art

Coloring Prayer: First, gather coloring utensils and coloring sheets. Second, decide what you’ll pray for with each color. For example, use purple while praying aloud for animals, green for family members, blue for the Earth and the environment. Tailor the categories to your own family or classroom. (Also, looking for some fresh coloring sheets? Grab a free sample pack here!)

Ways to Pray with Kids

Prayer in Song: One of the easiest ways to teach children to pray is through singing. There are several options out there. The doxology is one song used as a prayer of praise and thanksgiving. The lyrics are as follows:

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Praise God all creatures here below.
Praise God above ye heavenly host.
Praise Father/Mother, Son and Holy Ghost.
Amen.

Prayer Journal: Invite your children to begin drawing and writing their prayers to God. Even little ones can draw their prayers. For those who are older, they may want to write letters to God. Additionally, giving children a prompt can offer needed structure. Perhaps encourage them to write God about their hopes for the coming school year.

Pray Using Your Body

Prayer through Movement: There are several ways to pray with kids that teach how their minds and bodies communicate with God. So, try this simple prayer below, especially useful for the kinesthetic learner. Additionally, yoga and dance are great options that can be done with children of all ages.

(3 deep breaths)
God, you are above (reach toward the sky), below (touch your toes), inside (hands to heart) and all around (big arm circles).
I worship you (reach toward the sky), and give my life to you (touch your toes).
And I love you (hands to heart) with all that I am (big arm circles).
(3 deep breaths)

Five-Finger Prayer: Developed by Pope Francis, this prayer practice assigns each finger something to pray for. The thumb is for those closest to us. The index finger for those who teach, instruct and heal us. The middle finger, our tallest, is for our leaders. The ring finger, our weakest, for those who are weak. The pinky is for ourselves. Click here to download your free printable bookmark version of this prayer.

Pray Through Conversation

Fill in the Blank Prayer:  Take turns going back and forth or from person to person, if you’re in a group, saying, “God is great, God is good, thank you God for ______________.” See how long you can keep it going. It’s fun (and sometimes breathtaking) to hear what your children say. Discussing what is inside our hearts and minds with each other is a crucial way to build relationships. Consequently, this practice builds both relationships with God and with each other.

Prayer Walk: Go for a walk together in search for the things you’re thankful to God for. Sidewalks, trees, bird songs, smiles from other pedestrians, flowers in bloom, passing cars and buses that make travel possible. So much to appreciate! Additionally, this is an excellent way to get outside, slow down the mind and get active together.

Pray Through Silence

Centering Prayer: Pray silently in this way to empty the mind and become open to God’s presence. Young children can struggle to sit quietly and still since their bodies often desire movement and activity. Therefore, two to five minutes can be plenty for young elementary children to start with. Now, for older children, try up to ten minutes once they’re acclimated to the practice. First, invite them to close their eyes and imagine that they are standing in a forest along the side of a stream. Second, explain that when a thought comes into their minds, they can imagine the thought landing on a leaf, floating down onto the surface of the stream and away until it’s out of view.

Ways to Pray with Kids

Breath Prayer: First, choose a word or brief phrase to repeat in one breath. Now, if it’s a phrase, say one part on the inhale and one part on the exhale. For example, invite your children to think in their minds or whisper to themselves Psalm 56:3. Next, on the inhale, think or say “When I am afraid.” Then, on the exhale, think or say “I will trust you.” Repeating breath prayers is a meditative practice that can be done with children of almost any age.

Scripture Prayer: First, choose a Bible verse and use it as a prayer to begin and end each day with your children. Try John 3:18, Psalm 46:1 or Romans 15:13. Additionally, it may be helpful to have it posted by their bed to read together.

Ways to Pray with Children

Tell Us Your Prayer Ideas for Kids

Phew, that was a lot to take in! We hope this has given you a few ways to pray with kids that help cultivate spiritual growth and connection. Also, how do you and your kids pray? We’d love to hear in the comments below!

Five Finger Prayer