Many of our summer ministries are split between camps, Vacation Bible School, and getting ready for fall restarts. But, it’s also a great time to enable our families to disciple their children at home. We all know that the key to discipleship for children is the home. In the summer, we can encourage this family discipleship. We can help our families prepare things to do for in between events, long vacation drives, dinnertime devotions, and even rainy-day backup plans!

With even just a small bit of planning, you can give your families some simple ways to add biblical discipleship to their summertime plans. You can provide the materials or just give your families a handout or calendar of ideas! It doesn’t have to be a family Bible trivia night (although that could be an idea).

If your budget allows, provide some or all of the needed items for your families. If not, make a list of ideas to give parents. Include a list of the Bible stories or topical theme for your Sunday and Wednesday summer classes to help give parents’ ideas!

Here are some suggestions:
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​Create your own rainy-day or road trip activity kit.
Include things like:
Bible story craft sets
Bible story activity books or puzzle books
Family scripture memorization or conversation cards
Flash cards – make your own, or purchase, Bible story review games

Host neighborhood backyard Bible Olympics. Some families who travel together or who are in the same neighborhood could use some helps to get kids away from screens in the summer. Help them out with ideas for a backyard bible skills “Olympics”
Books of the Bible games (check Pinterest or curriculum for ideas)
Bible Memory Verse games (ring toss to find the right word for a fill-in-the-blank Bible verse, or other games from  books or curriculum)
Use bible skills questions to earn “helps” for physical activities (name 5 books in the Bible with the letter l to get 5-    foot head start in a relay race)

Offer a Family Summer Devotion Series. You can use existing curriculum that is often less used during summer activities to provide weekly refresher devotions for between Sundays.

By providing suggestions or supplies, you are providing “helps” for families who may want a new way to spend time together this summer. Whether you have the budget to provide items, or can offer a library system for families to use throughout the summer, you can help children and parents fill their summer with fun and continued learning in the Word.

Jane Robinson is the brand manager for CTA – Christ to All. Jane’s background is in Christian education, children’s choirs, and product development. She enjoys meeting new friends in ministry and spending time with her husband, Paul, and three grown children.