Here is a list of Sources that might be useful for families looking for Faith Formation Guidance. It is not definative and has been erred toward sites that offer free or predominately free resources for Families
AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND RESOURCES
Growing Faith at Home
What’s available: Growing Faith at Home worksheet resource, Worship notes, Talk time cards, articles
Form available: reflection sheets, articles, handouts
Covers which Stages: Families of all stages, from couples to grandparents.
Price of Resource: Annual subscription: $40, some resources are free
Media Platforms: website, Facebook, You tube, Pinterest,
Languages other than English: None
Mission: a weekly lectionary based resource for households to live, share and celebrate faith together weekly and daily. A resource for parents and grandparents to share faith in their homes.
Created by: Lutheran Church of Australia
Country of origin: Australia
Notes:
What’s available: Known as Family Space, this has a collection of resources for different stages and institutions, Children, Church Matters, Parents and Carers and Teens and Young Adults.
Form Available: articles
Covers which Stages, children, teenagers, parents and care givers and congregations
Price of Resource: free
Media Platforms: website, can sign up for monthly emails
Languages other than English: none
Mission: To equip, empower and nurture family households and congregations
Organisation: Scripture Union Queensland
Country of origin: Australia, Queensland
Here 2 stay
What’s available: An 8 pillar, 2 Foundational principle scaffold to help families and churches to find a life long discipline for faith formation.
Form available: articles, videos, downloads
Covers which Stages: families and congregations
Price of Resource: free
Media Platforms: Website, Facebook, You Tube
Languages other than English: Family Chatmats are available in 11 other languages with another 12 due soon
Mission: To develop lifelong active followers of Jesus
Supported by: Bible Society, Compassion, Focus on the Family Australia, Scripture Union Queensland, Willow Creek Australia
Country of origin: Australia,
Notes: Great resources list, easy website for families to negotiate, ie. Specific family’s resources page
https://www.max7athome.org/en?fbclid=IwAR3sB9BsxbCFlL52qgsyxyPe9kGJMI5TgfwA-M0LLsMErqqlFIJ7qzGGxxw
What’s available: Topics named Family Fitness, (physical and theological engagement for the whole family, great for Kinesics learners) https://www.max7athome.org/en/resource/familyfitfunintroductionvideos
Songs to Sing Together, Bible Story Video’s, At Home Activities
Form available: Video’s, pdf’s, songs, games, downloads
Covers which Stages: child and youth and families
Price of Resource: Free
Media Platforms: Website, Facebook, twitter, Linkedin
Languages other than English: 20 Languages
Mission: Family, youth and child resources for use in the home
Created By: influenced by the Laucerne Agreement
Country of origin: Australia
Notes: Easy for Families to find the things they need,
You can search for resources that best fit a chronological age suitability, or for Biblical Book resources. Personal Love, the Chatmats
https://wordpress.com/block-editor/post/thecrossinmybackyard.wordpress.com/1398
What’s available: A weekly collection of ideas to help share the Revised Common Lectionary with Children
Form: Blog and Facebook pages
Covers which Stages: Birth- end of Primary School, Parenting resources
Price of Resource: Free
Media Platforms: Facebook, Blog and Twitter
Languages other than English: none
Mission: To help parents/guardians and those in paid ministry positions to share the faith at home and during structured worship
Created by: Wendy Lewis
Country of origin: Australia, Melbourne
Notes
What’s available: Resources for congregations and families, Links to resources including Grief and Bereavement, Disaster and Trauma, mental health and Anxiety, to share with families. Family on Mission Journal
Form available: Links, articles and video’s and podcasts.
Covers which Stages: Families with children and the communities in which they worship.
Price of Resource: free
Media platforms, website, Facebook, Pinterest, you tube,
Languages other than English; some Moari
Mission: Equipping congregations and families in faith formation
Operated By: Anglican Church of Aotearoa New Zealand and Polynesia
Country of origin: New Zealand
Notes: primarily aimed at church leaders to enhance their family faith formation, building on 5 areas of ministry, Kingdom Pilgrimage, Strategic Faith Formation, Partnering with Families, Intergenerational, and Whanau (build community connections). The Families, faith formation link is easy for parents to use
INTERNATIONAL RESOURCES
What’s available: Together Apart, weekly Revised Common Lectionary resources for congregations or families, as well as resources for Assembly, activities, prayer.
Form available: downloadable work sheets and suggestions
Covers which Stages: all types of learning and ages.
Price of Resource: free, donation requested.
Media Platforms: Website and Facebook
Languages other than English: None
Mission: The author believes everyone should have access to free resources for community or family devotions
Created By: Fay Rowland
Country of origin: UK
Notes:
What’s available: articles and suggestions for 3 stages, 4-7, 5-8, 8-11, Faith at home magazine
Form available: Website, articles and downloads, magazine
Covers which Stages: Ages 4-7, 5-8, 8-11
Price of Resources: Mostly free, Magazine £4.00
Media Platforms: Facebook, twitter
Languages other than English: None
Mission: Finding creative ways to share God with Children
Created By: Victoria Beech
Country of origin: UK,
BRF (The Bible Reading Fellowship)
What’s available: 6 programs across the ages,
Parenting for Faith, equipping parents to raise children and teens. https://www.brf.org.uk/what-we-do/parenting-for-faith/
Messy Church, https://www.brf.org.uk/what-we-do/messy-church/
Holy Habits, Missional discipleship as a way of life https://www.brf.org.uk/what-we-do/holy-habits/
Living Faith, Resourcing your spiritual journey https://www.brf.org.uk/what-we-do/living-faith/
Barnabas in Schools, exploring Christianity in schools https://www.brf.org.uk/what-we-do/barnabas-in-schools/
Anna Chaplaincy: Spiritual Care in later life https://www.brf.org.uk/what-we-do/anna-chaplaincy/
Ideas Hub, free resources for groups and all age services https://ideas.brf.org.uk
Great ideas for parents to use for Bible studies at home at home with their children.
Form available: website,
Covers which Stages: All ages and stages in life
Price of Resource: free
Media Platforms, Facebook, twitter and Instagram
Languages other than English: None
Mission: To enable all ages to grow in faith and understanding of the Bible
Created By: An Anglican congregation in 1921, people presently involved include Canon Richard Fisher, Jane Butcher, Lucy Moore, Rachael Turner
Country of origin: UK, Abingdon
Notes:
https://parentingforfaith.org/
What’s available: podcasts, course – Parenting Children for a Life of Faith
Form: video’s, articles and podcasts, DVD and Handbooks available for purchase.
Covers which Stages: For Families and Churches (including parenting as a church leader)
Price of Resource: Free, DVD and Handbooks can be purchased in the UK
Media Platforms: website, Facebook, and twitter
Languages other than English: none
Mission: “equipping parents to raise God-connected children and teens”
Created by: BRF, person of note, Racheal Turner
Country of origin: UK, Abingdon
Notes: Site easy for parents to negotiate.
https://www.faithathome.com/resources.html
What’s available: Structure, to focus your home life faith formation on.
Form: Webinairs, website, and books
Covers which Stages: Mums, Dad’s, Teenagers, Grandparents, Couples and Singles
Price of Resources: Webinairs are free, books vary in price
Media Platforms: Website, Facebook, twitter, Instagram and You Tube
.Philosophy: The Scriptures are clear that the home is the primary place where faith is nurtured and passed from generation to generation. (Deuteronomy 6:1-9, 2 Timothy 1:5).
Country of origin: USA, Minnesotta based, with International representatives in New Zealand and Singapore
Created By: Mark Holman, Brian Siewerd, Dr Mark Smith,
Country of origin: USA, Minnesotta based, with International representatives in New Zealand and Singapore
Notes: Areas of website were still under construction on the 15/8/2020
https://www.growchristians.org
What’s available: great articles on Parenting, reading suggestions
Form available: emails, articles
Covers which Stages: Grow Christians is for parents ”practicing faith at home”,
Price of Resource: free
Media Platforms: Website, Facebook, Twitter
Languages other than English: none
Mission: Grow discipleship in all ages and stages. Grow Christians is aimed at supplying reflections, stories, images and recipes for discipleship within the home.
.Created By: Forward Movement, a ministry of the Episcopal Church
Country of origin: USA, Ohio
Notes:
D6
What’s available: Splink: a weekly devotional for families, magazine, blogs, books, podcasts
(conference and marriage mentoring). Resources also available for congregations
Form available: Splink is sent each week to your inbox
Covers which Stages: Families with children
Price of Resource: Splink is free.
Media platforms: website, twitter, Facebook, Vimeo, Pinterest, Instagram
Languages other than English: None
MISSION: A family ministry movement connecting Church and home
Created by: Randall House, publishing arm for the National Association of Free will Baptists.
Country of origin: USA, Nashville, Tennessee.
Notes: Family resources are easy to access.
https://www.wearesparkhouse.org
What’s available: Resources, for the faith education of all, programs such as Frolic (for Babies and Toddlers, including boos and playgroup resources)
Sunday School Resources Spark (2 yo –Grade 6),( Whirl, (pre-K –Grade 6) Holy Moly,(Grades K-4) Connect,(grades 5-6)
Re:Form, (empowers youth to explore faith and question, to go deeper into the backstory and history, including specific resources, for Lutheran, Methodist and Reformed traditions)
Echo the story, (creative, student centered learning)
Colaborate, specific denominational learning
T.B.D.,Think Do Believe, for Grades 9-12, small group programme
Wholeness and Holiness, Purity, wholeness and Holiness, discussions
Animate (small group discussion, faith practices and perspectives in 7 sessions) and
Dialogues On (dialogues for faith communities) $US 9.99-24.99 some free
Form available, books, video’s, downloads, webinair
Covers which Stages, from birth to old ages, specifically early childhood, children, youth and Adults for parents, and Sunday school educators
Cost: many items free,
Does not ship to Australia, Koorong stocks some Bibles, eg. Spark, Whirl Bibles @ $36.99, and Holy Moly resources from $4.50-75.00. Echo the Story resources from $14-99 – 85.00. most programs available as digital download from $US49.99-179.99 annually
Media platforms: Facebook, website, twitter and Instagram,
Languages other than English:
Mission: Faith formation resources for each stage of life, both at home, corporate worship and education, across many denominations
Created By: A division of 1517 Media, the publishing ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Country of origin: USA, Minneapolis
Notes: very USA colloquial, website is easy to navigate, aged products are clearly defined.
What’s available: Articles on practical discipleship at home for parents, Book suggestions, Splink newsletter, website suggestions. For ministry, articles, website, and Facegroup and book and leadership recommendations.
Form available: articles
Covers which Stages: Intergenerational and families at all stages, including grandparents.
Price of Resource: free
Media Platforms: Website, twitter, Facebook,
Languages other than English: None
Mission: Resource, encourage and support for Intergenerational and Family Focused Ministry
Created By: Chrisitna Embree
Country of origin: USA, Kentucky.
Notes: None
Building Faith
What’s available: Inspirational articles, Resources to grow faith, predominately for an adult audience.
Form available: Blog, webinars,
Covers which Stages: all ages and stages
Price of Resource: free
Media Platforms: Website, Facebook
Languages other than English: none
Mission “To equip and inspire churches and individuals for the ministry of Christian Education and Faith Formation”
Created by: Virginia Theological Seminary, and including the work of Sharon Ely Pearson ( who commenced it), Sarah Bently Allred, Charlotte Hand Greeson, Keith Anderson, Christine Hides, Matthew Kozlowski, Dorothy Linthicum and Santi Rodriquez
Country of origin: USA, Virginia
Notes: Best for those involved in Ministry
https://www.dofaithathome.org/
What’s available: Resources for Intergenerational worship and reflection both weekly and daily, based on the Revised Common Lectionary
Form available: downloadable resources,
Covers which Stages; Faith @Home, provides lectionary based resources for use at home,
Price of Resource: free
Media Platforms, website, twitter and Facebook
Languages other than English: Spanish
Mission. Faith @Home, provides lectionary based resources for use during the week in an intergenerational environment.
Created by: Forward Movement a mission of the Episcopal Church
Country of origin: USA, Ohio.
https://www.crcna.org/FaithFormation/practices
What’s Available: Ideas based on 12 faith practices to engage families with children.
Form: Monthly Faith Practice suggestions with links to more ideas including a link specifically for Families.
Covers Which Stages: Families with children, Individuals and groups.
Price of Resource: free
Media Platforms: Website, Facebook, twitter and email
Languages other than English: Spanish
Mission: Helping Churches grow faith for Life
Created By: Christian Reformed Church of North America
Country of Origin: USA: Michigan
Notes: aimed at those in church ministry
MUSIC
Seeds Family Worship
What’s available: Memory Verse Songs,
Family Bible study Plan (The 10 minute Journey) https://www.seedsfamilyworship.com/product/10-minute-bible-journey/
Devotional Dippers (Prayer tool)
Interactive Children’s Worship Service
20 Verses in 2020, Family Memory verse challenge
Streamed Music
Scripture Backgrounds
Downloadable Memory Verse Cards
Family Worship Boxes
BLOG, shares practical family advice re faith formation
Form: Downloads, mp3, CD, DVD, You Tube, Books, Blog
Covers which Stages: Birth to Adult
Price of Resource:
FREE: Interactive Children’s Worship Service, 20 Verses in 2020, Family Memory verse challenge, streamed Music, Scripture Backgrounds, Downloadable Memory Verse Cards, Chord Charts.
Albums or individual songs, download –CD, $US11.97
10 Minute Bible Journey $US16
Book Indescribable $US11.97 Other books from $US 9.00
Bible Dippers $US 9.95
Media Platforms: Website, You Tube, Facebook
Languages other than English: None
Mission: to see God’s Word, the Bible, planted in as many homes and hearts as possible around the world.
Created By: Jason Houser, Josh Hauser and John Majors
Country of origin: USA, Idaho
Notes: BEST For: Families who enjoy sharing their faith through music
What’s available: Songs, Video blog (Winning with Kids)
Form available: Download, CD, video
Covers which Stages: Winning with Kids is for Parents, and aims to equip and empower parents of children
Price of Resource: Music $13.99 to $18.99, vlog – free, Books from $18.99
Media Platforms: Facebook, website, twitter, Youtube, Soundcloud, Instagram
Languages other than English: none
MISSION: to equip parents in raising counter cultural word based children
Country of origin: Australia
Notes: Best for visual learners and those who live out their faith through music
GAMES
Guardians of Ancora
What’s available: Game, parental advice, including suggestions for Family Faith Formation
Form available: downloadable app for tablets and smartphone
Covers which Stages: School age children from 8-11 years old
Price of Resource: free
Media platforms: Downloadable app for tablets and smartphones, twitter, and Facebook, website
Languages other than English: Welsh, Serbian, and Albanian,
Mission: A creative game where children can discover and engage with the Bible
Created by: Scripture Union
Country of origin: UK
Notes:
What’s available: Computer Game, parent information pack and reading plan, Bible and extension packs.
Form available: Downloadable Game, Android tablets, ipad, windows and MacOs
Covers which Stages: Preteens and families
Price of Resource: Season 1 (family Pack) access for up to 5 players $US49.99, Individual Access $US24.99 Family reading plan available through You Version, free. Also, free companion levels for download
Media Platforms: You tube, Instagram, twitter and Facebook
Languages other than English: None
Mission: To create an allegorical Bible presentation that was entertaining, educational, formational.
Created By: Scarlet City Studios
Country of origin: New Zealand
Notes:
APPS
You Version
and Bible App for Kids
What’s available: Bible downloads, and The Bible App for Kids, children’s story book Bible for personal electronic devices.
Form available: iOS, Android Apps, webpage
Covers which Stages: all ages.
Price of Resource: free
Media platforms, Apps, webpage, twitter and Facebook
Languages other than English: 60 available, (55 for the Bible App for Kids)
Mission: To encourage a daily rhythm of seeking intimacy with God
Created by: Life Church
Country of origin: USA, Oklahoma
Notes: resources for parents on the website, also 2 year church curriculum.
D6 App
What’s available: Family Fun Questions, Splink – family devotional, Parent Pages – background devotional information, Family Fun Night suggestions, podcasts, D6 information and products
Form available: App
Covers which Stages: All stages and ages of Faith Formation
Price of Resource: free
Media platforms: website, app, Your Tube, Facebook
Languages other than English: none
Mission: that parents are the primary, disciplers of their families.
Created by: Randall House
Country of origin: USA, Tennessee
Notes: very Parent friendly
Blessings
Wendy L
(if you have foudn this useful please mention where you found it)
The Cross in My Backyard 