We are convinced that God designed the church and the family to work together to raise the next generation of Christians. In both the Old and New Testaments, we see this truth clearly portrayed in passages such as Deuteronomy 6, Psalm 78, Matthew 28:18-20, and Ephesians 6.

Because of this, we view discipleship as a two-sided coin: Church and the Family. If the church and family are to work together to equip the generations, we must have a common path on which to walk. We call this the path of Legacy Milestones and it is our desire to focus everything that we do to help people mature along this path.

On this path of Legacy Milestones, we work to equip families to disciple the next generation through leading Faith Talks, capturing God Moments, and celebrating Milestones.

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up.”

Deuteronomy 6:4-7

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:19-20

faith talks


Faith Talks are intentional times set aside at least once each week for conversation around the Scripture with your family. We see this as a priority because we are convinced that spiritual training takes place one step at a time in the context of everyday life. While leading Faith Talks, relationship is your priority, the Bible is your handbook, and life is your classroom. For parents with young children, Faith Talks are the primary vehicle for leading your children along the path between each milestone.

God moments


God moments are opportunities to teach our children spiritual truths informally as God moves in their lives.  These moments can appear at any time, such as a good question from an inquisitive child or an unexpected blessing of family provision.  We must be careful to capture these God Moments for the sake of discipleship.  Our families need to see that God is working in the world and by capturing these moments we provide clear evidence of this reality.

 

milestones


Milestones can best be described as “an event, preceded by a period of instruction from parents, which celebrates a spiritual development point in a child’s life.” We believe that these Milestones are critical markers in the life of every individual and these Milestones help to provide a clear path for Spiritual development throughout all of our ministries.

The Legacy Milestones Path

Family Dedication

The first step on the legacy pathway is Family Dedication. This is a seminar and a ceremony that normally occurs for parents who have children between birth and one year of age. Parents, through a required seminar, learn how to become primary faith trainers for their children and accept the responsibility. Resources and learning opportunities are provided for the new parents desiring to dedicate their child to the Lord. During the ceremony, the church body commits to partner with the parents in the faith development of the child for the duration of the journey.

First Steps (2 hour required seminar)

This Seminar covers topics like: Understanding Parent/Child Dedication, The Development of Your Child, The Importance of Mom and Dad and Ways to Bless Your Child and Build Biblical Foundations

Parent/Child Dedication ceremony during the worship service.

Gospel Foundations

An important milestone in the life of every person is salvation and baptism. For the child growing up in a Christian home and in the context of a local church, a decision point is often reached between the ages of 7 and 11. This decision may also occur later in life. Between Milestone 1 and Milestone 2, we partner with and equip parents to lead their kids toward a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, which leads toward salvation. Parents are encouraged to attend a seminar that teaches the biblical truth about salvation and baptism, and are equipped and given resources to lead family devotions in their homes where these principles are taught. To make this milestone steps memorable and special, families can include a Spiritual Birthday which focuses on the child’s date of salvation and a family celebration at and following the child’s baptism event. Parents are encouraged to invite family, friends, and those who spiritually influence the child.

How to Lead Your Child to Christ

This Seminar covers topics like: Accepting Christ as Savior, Is My Child Ready for Salvation?, God’s Plan of Salvation, Baptism Explained and Discipleship Begins at Home.

Campus Event: Baptism
Family Celebration: Spiritual Birthday Party

Preparing for Adolescence

It is so important to help children prepare spiritually, emotionally, and physically for adolescence. Between the ages of 10 and 12, we begin to introduce these concepts to kids as they attend church ministries and activities. We also equip parents to intentionally prepare their children to enter the teen years. Parents are encouraged to attend a two hour seminar called Preparing for Adolescence: Parent Edition. This seminar teaches the basics concerning talking with your kids about relevant issues such as physical changes, identity in Christ, and sex. Parents will learn how to use James Dobson’s CD series called Preparing for Adolescence in the course of a road trip for just you and your maturing child.

Preparing for Adolescence: Parent Edition

This seminar covers topics like: Relating to Your Adolescent, Facing the Challenges of Junior High, A Look at Today’s Culture, Faith That Prevails,and The Biggest Obstacles to Christian Living.

Campus Event: 4th and 5th grade retreat

Family Celebration: Road Trip

Purity for Life

During Junior High, it becomes blaringly obvious that we must address “SEX” from a biblical perspective. The Student Ministry partners with parents by teaching students the importance of accountability, healthy friendships, and biblical standards for purity. At the same time we think it is much more important for students to learn these principles from their parents. We coach parents to focus on these issues in faith talks and intentional conversations before, and throughout the middle school years.

Purity for Life

This seminar covers topics like : The Biblical Standard For Purity, Spiritual Training of Teens: Parent Roles and Church Roles, Identity in Christ, Accountability and Communication.

The parent seminar we provide resources to help in those conversations and faith talks. We encourage all students and parents to participate in Purity for Life weekend on our campus during the eighth grade year. Parents often give their student a ring as a symbol of the purity commitment made by the student.

Campus Event: Purity for Life Weekend
Family Celebration: Purity Ring Celebration

Rite of Passage

The passing of a child into adulthood is a significant event. Biblically, we must equip our children to become men and women of God. Age 16 is a significant time of freedom in our culture. Rite of Passage is not about keys to the car; instead, it is about becoming a man or woman of God. In our seminar we will equip you to disciple your freshmen and sophomore students for adulthood. Issues such as spiritual gifts, the roles of men and women, spiritual disciplines, service in the church, dealing with failure, and other Biblical issues will be explored both in your family devotion and on the church campus. We teach parents to host a very special “Rite of Passage” ceremony as the discipleship process has been completed and the student enters his or her 16th year of life.

Preparing My Student for Adulthood

This seminar covers topics like: The Biblical Roles of Men and Women,Spiritual Training of Teens, Parent Roles and Church Roles, Rite of Passage: The How To, and Following Up After You Have Completed the Rite of Passage.

Family Celebration: Rite of Passage Ceremony

High School Graduation

Between the ages of 16 and 18, parents must help their students develop the practical and spiritual skills to leave home. Our seminar teaches parents how to prepare their students for the world outside of the nest. This can be a very healthy time in the family journey if parents continue to keep the lines of communication open with their students. Issues such as basic apologetics, courtship and marriage, determining the will of God, life skills for living away from home, and other biblical issues will be explored both in family devotions and on the church campus. We teach parents to write out a spiritual blessing for their child to be presented at the Senior Summit just before graduation. These important years of discipleship are our last chance to shape the faith of our children before they are on their own.

Preparing My Student to Leave Home

This seminar covers topics like: Apologetics, Connecting With Other Adults, Knowing the Will of God For Your Life, Dating and Marriage and Money.

Campus Event: Senior Summit
Family Celebration: Written Blessing

Life in Christ

Life in Christ is a journey of following Jesus. John 15 sets the precedence for this amazing journey by describing a fulfilling life with an eternal purpose. Real life begins and grows in relationship with Jesus Christ.  From that relationship, a Christ-follower grows in each Core Competency throughout the journey. It is a path filled with both high and low places and ends in eternity with Jesus. Life in Christ is experienced by every adult believer no matter one’s life stage or circumstances. Day by day, life in Christ is learning to remain in Him.

I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. – John 15:5

Life in Christ

This seminar covers the core competencies of milestone 7, touching on the importance of each.

Campus Event: Bible Study, Worship

RESOURCES

Find these and others inside our Legacy Resource Center at Bay Area Church.

The Legacy Path is a great resource to equip you and your family to walk the Milestone path together.  It was written with parents in mind and will help you to discover intentional spiritual parenting one step at a time.

Relentless Parenting

This book engages the hearts of parents by providing ideas for how they can stay connected to their teens. Topics include: words of power not pain, building identity, learning to listen, setting healthy boundaries, and the importance of home. Readers will find a compassionate yet challenging message to keep being the parent even when the road gets tough.