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/F-cover/without%20spine/9780802433381.jpg "Forming Faith: Discipling the Next Generation in a Post-Christian Culture")
Resiliently rooted in Christ—living into this formational moment.
What would it look like to form kids with lasting faith in Jesus, no matter the culture or context? Does this seem possible? It's getting harder to imagine in our highly secularized culture. Current approaches to faith formation aren't working. Matt Markins, Sam Luce, and Mike Handler combine leadership experience from Awana—global pioneer in children's discipleship—with pastoral wisdom, to provide a much needed, timely resource for the church and home.
Forming Faith helps us understand what isn't working, why it doesn't work, and what we can do to build the church. Markins, Luce, and Handler—fathers and leaders—look at the blueprint often employed in children's ministries that seems innovative but is greatly misguided. Forming Faith brings not only analysis; it provides biblically based, backed-by-research solutions to form lasting faith in our children.
We have real concerns and fears for the kids we love. More than anything we want to see younger generations follow Jesus with conviction and compassion. What must we be doing at church and at home to strengthen our influence? This resource provides the focus, resiliency, and hope we all need!
Praise for Forming Faith
"This is a book that could change churches and transform families! In Forming Faith, Matt, Mike, and Sam present an enormously compelling vision of a new era of church that comes alongside parents, showing them how to raise the next generation of passionate, all-in followers of Jesus. In the process, the authors ask challenging questions, urging leaders—and parents—to rethink children's discipleship and to make radical changes as a result. What they envision for our children is no less than what Paul prayed for the people he loved: that they would experience the love of Christ in the everyday-ness of real life."
—Diane Comer, Cofounder, Intentional Parents International
"Drawing from the Scriptures and significant sociological research on children's and family ministry, Matt, Mike, and Sam make the case that what the next generation needs isn't attractional gimmicks or even programming excellence but biblical orthodoxy, faithful shepherding, and a loving church community. If you're a children's ministry leader, this book will help you move from merely declaring that parents are the primary disciple-makers in kids' lives to intentionally coming alongside parents and growing with them as they learn to shepherd their kids in the faith."
—Jared Kennedy, Editor at The Gospel Coalition and author of The Beginner's Gospel Story Bible, Keeping Your Children's Ministry on Mission, and The Story of Martin Luther
"I want our kids to love Jesus, in the seasons of mountaintop victories and heartache-filled valleys. I want it for the ones that live at my house and the ones at yours. Forming Faith will open our eyes to what resilient and unwavering faith looks like. Matt, Mike, and Sam are shining a light for us all to follow. May we hold the wisdom they are offering us with much care as we boldly allow faith to be formed in those we minister to. Let this generation be known as a generation that has 'on Christ the solid rock I stand' written on their heart, for all of their days."
—Yancy, Worship leader, author, and Dove Award winning songwriter/artist
"Forming Faith is essential reading for anyone working with children, whether at home or in a church setting. Matt, Mike, and Sam not only highlight our past mistakes but also provide a clear roadmap for correction. Having witnessed their message firsthand, I immediately recognized the necessity of this book. It addresses the pressing needs of today's parents and church leaders, and its wisdom will remain invaluable for generations. Kudos to these authors for their brilliant and masterful work. I wholeheartedly endorse both them and this message!"
—Jim Wideman, Pastor, author, and pioneer in kidmin and family ministry, Nashville, TN
"If you are in children's ministry, this book will shake up your world. If you are really serious about seeing the next generation follow Jesus, then this book should be on your reading list. This book goes way beyond surface talk and dives deep into how to see kids grow up to love and follow Jesus for a lifetime."
—Dale Hudson, www.buildingchildrensministry.com
