Equipping Parents

Equipping Parents

Our vision at Church Acadiana is to equip parents to reach the next generation for Christ.

The key word in our vision statement is “parents.”  We believe that…

  • Parents are the key to reaching the next generation.
  • Parents are called to disciple their kids in the home.
  • Parents are strategically positioned to make the biggest spiritual impact on their kids.
  • Parents can more effectively disciple their kids when they do church as a shared experience, rather than being separated from them.

That’s why we do things a little differently.  We are a family-integrated church.  What is a family-integrated church?  We teach parents how to disciple their kids at home, and then enable them to do church with their kids as a shared experience.  (See the article,  “Why Family-Integrated Church?”)

Therefore, instead of the church discipling kids FOR parents, the church EQUIPS parents to disciple their kids at home.  Instead of separating kids from their parents, we keep families together at church so that parents can make an even bigger impact on their kids.

What this means is that we do not have a traditional “youth group” or “children’s ministry.”  Instead, kids and youth are invited to get involved in everything we do.  They sit next to their parents in Sunday church.  They participate with their parents in Home Group.  They serve alongside their parents on ministry teams.  They tithe.  They invite their friends to church.

We do not have a “youth ministry” or a “children’s ministry” because we ARE a youth ministry and a children’s ministry.  Kids are not the church of tomorrow; they are the church of today.  We encourage kids to not wait until adulthood to serve God, and we empower them to play a vital role in what God is doing at Church Acadiana right now.

On this page you will find helpful resources by Pastor Andy and others about family-integrated church in particular, and Biblical parenting in general.

Essential Reading for Parents (from Pastor Andy’s Blog)

Essential Sermons for Parents:

Essential Books for Parents:

  • Home Discipleship Catechism, by Andy Manning.  The Home Discipleship Catechism is a resource written by Pastor Andy Manning to equip parents to disciple their kids in the home. It contains a catechism of 51 questions and answers, and then 51 chapters explaining each question in greater detail. Each chapter has Discussion Questions and references For Further Study.
  • Raising Kids of Christlike Character, by Andy Manning.  Teach your kids Christlike character.  Each chapter begins with a short Bible story, then an explanation of a Christian virtue, and concludes with discussion questions.  Great for use in family devotions.
  • Family-Driven Faith, by Voddie Baucham Jr.  A helpful book about parenting, with two chapters about family-integrated church.
  • Family Worship, by Donald S. Whitney.  Gathering together for worship is an indispensable part of your family’s spiritual life that lets God reveal himself in a powerful way! Whitney’s practical guide reviews examples of family worship in the Bible and throughout church history; explains essential elements, including Scripture reading, prayer, and singing.

Resources for Bible Time

For Bible Time With Little Ones (2-5)
For Bible Time With Big Kids (5-12)
  • Home Discipleship Catechism, by Andy Manning.
  • Leading Little Ones To God, by Marian Schoolland.  This book is a great tool to use in home discipleship.  Every day’s reading teaches an important doctrine and illustrates it with a major Bible story.  Recommended age:  4-10.
  • Classic Bible Storybook, by Kenneth N. Taylor.  120 Bible stories present the truths of the Bible in language that is understandable to kids.  Each story has 3 or 4 comprehension questions to help children’s understanding of Biblical concepts.
  • The Action Bible.  With 215 fast-paced narratives in chronological order, The Action Bible makes it easier for readers to follow the Bible’s historical flow as the story builds up to the thrilling climax of Christ’s life.
  • Bible Project (YouTube).  The Bible Project has many videos to help you understand the Bible.  Consider watching one at a time with your kids, and then have a discussion.
For Bible Time With Teens (13 and up)