Session 3: Passing on the Faith

Our discussion this week encouraged us to take the steps to starting having the "Behind-the-wall" conversations with our youth/children. Behind-the-wall conversations help us bring meaning to our faith, traditions and why they are important to us personally. Realizing the first few times these conversations may fail, we are starting to create a space or culture allowing our youth/children to ask questions and seek their own understanding in the world around them.

We also talked about how "Behind-the-wall" conversations do not need to defend against "On-the-wall" conversations (conversations happening in culture and the world). "Behind-the-wall" conversations can help make sense of "On-the-wall" conversations in a way where God is infused within the world all around us and is telling God's story everywhere. 

With the upcoming holidays take some time to ask your extended family members to talk about their faith and why they find it important. Ask them to share a struggle they have had as well as a time where they felt God was close to them. As a parent/guardian we are encouraged to share our stories as well, yes our youth/children may roll their eyes at us and pass us off as being weird, but eventually they will take parts of our story with them out into the world!

Faith Tool Focus

It's important to remember that on-the-wall and behind-the-wall conversations are for one single purpose: so that the language of the empire does not prevail in the lives of our students. Faith conversations are the explicit and implicit curriculum in the lives of people of faith. We talk with our students about our beliefs, and as we do that, they are taught correct theology and doctrine. The more we chat about our beliefs, the more their beliefs are fleshed out in their lives. And the more that happens, the firmer their foundation will be.

Conversations Starters:
Behind-the-Wall- There's nothing special about starting a behind-the-wall conversation with your youth. These conversation starters below are designed to get your "behind-the-wall" conversation started with your student. You can begin with a question or by sharing something and then inviting youth to respond.