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If you’ve completed the suggested agenda for the first seven steps, you will have a good understanding of heart change, building character, the importance of teaching the Bible and spiritual disciplines. You have begun the process of helping your child better understand and explain his or her faith. You will also have begun regular time with your child to read and to talk about spiritual growth. We trust, this time has allowed you and your child to grow closer together as you both seek God leading in your lives. Now it is time to focus more and more on your child and his or her specific growth needs.
Pray
Continue praying with each of your children each day, asking God to guide your efforts and work in the hearts of your children.
Read & Study
Continue daily Bible study or readings from an age-appropriate Bible.
Over time, go back and read the other Aslan Academy resources you may have missed. You will find further insight into each of the main topics.
Look for interesting new resources highlighted in the Dawn Treader News to further deepen your understanding of discipling your children.
If you child is at the stage to begin considering colleges, you and your child should read How to Stay Christian in College and discuss the key questions and concepts raised in the book.
Apply
Look for evidence of heart change in your child. Find those “teachable moments” to reinforce opportunities to help their heart change.
Continue introducing the spiritual disciplines in an age-appropriate manner. Guard against becoming legalistic in your approach. These disciplines are to help your child have a deeper, personal relationship with Jesus, not simply to “earn points” by doing works.
Continue working through the tough questions and build confidence in your child’s ability to explain his or her faith. Use the apologetics questions from the Dawn Treader News to guide these discussions.
Update your assessment of your child’s personality, heart, character and status of conversion. Continue to be intentional about encouraging positive growth and helping your child address weak areas.
If you have a child who is an adolescent or teen, develop a plan to use the resource Building Character: A Bible Study for Adolescents and Teens, listed under “Resources in Developing Character and Faith That Lasts.” If possible, work with your child and other parents to form a group of children who can go through this nine-week Bible study on their own. Pray about how this might be organized and for God’s leading in bringing together the right people. As your child goes through the program, discuss with your child what he or she is learning and how he or she plans to make life changes in response. If it is not possible to organize a group of children to go through this study together, make plans to go through it with your child or together as a family.
Family Activities
At unhurried mealtimes, use the “Aslan Moments” (from the Dawn Treader News) to guide a discussion each week on key topics.
Continue special outings with each child if possible, or as a group, to continue character discussions and provide memorable activities to illustrate learnings and reinforce growth.
Continue family readings as well as encouraging your children to listen and learn on their own. Find time to discuss what they are reading and hearing.
Pray
Continue updating your prayer team and seek specific prayers as you learn more about your child’s needs.
C.S. Lewis Institute
C.S. Lewis Institute, in the legacy of C.S. Lewis, works to develop wholehearted disciples of Jesus Christ who will articulate, defend, share, and live their faith in personal and public life. Founded in 1976 by Dr. James Houston and James R. Hiskey, the Institute provides leading teachers who address important issues of the day from the perspective of Biblical orthodoxy, while also providing discipleship for individuals in small groups.
COPYRIGHT: This publication is published by C.S. Lewis Institute; 8001 Braddock Road, Suite 301; Springfield, VA 22151. Portions of the publication may be reproduced for noncommercial, local church or ministry use without prior permission. Electronic copies of the PDF files may be duplicated and transmitted via e-mail for personal and church use. Articles may not be modified without prior written permission of the Institute. For questions, contact the Institute: 703.914.5602 or email us.
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