WHAT IS THE FOUNDATIONS FOR KIDS CLASS?
The Foundations for Kids class is designed to build the educational foundation that helps your children make spiritual decisions. The class has four sessions and uses a student workbook.
The following topics are covered during the class:
The Gospel
Justification, Salvation, and Sanctification
Baptism
The Lord’s Supper
Prayer
Sharing your faith
The class is a teaching tool in your child’s spiritual development. It may emphasize spiritual truths that your child has already grasped. At the same time, there may be children who complete the sessions and still are not ready to accept Christ.
Children are concrete thinkers and we are careful to help them understand that it is not attending the class that makes them a Christian. Additionally, we believe that decisions about salvation and baptism should be made by each child with parental guidance and supervision. At no time will any child be pressured to make a spiritual decision. Our teachers are trained to instruct, guide, and encourage.
CAN MY CHILD ATTEND?
The class is designed for 1st-5th graders who have questions about what it means to be a Christian. It is also beneficial for those who have recently accepted Christ as their Savior. Although it is not required, a child who has already made a profession of faith is encouraged to go through the class before being baptized.
WHERE IS THE CLASS HELD?
The Foundations for Kids class is held in Room 2164 in the Children’s area of the Hope Building at 9:00am during the Sunday School Connect Group hour and Wednesday at 6:00pm over the course of two weeks for 4 classes total.
WHEN IS THE CLASS OFFERED?
The Foundations for Kids class is offered several times during the year. It is taught in a two-week period. Two Sundays during the 9:00am Sunday School/ Connect Group hour and the two consecutive Wednesdays at 6:00pm. Announcements will be made in The VOICE or in the Online Bulletin.
AS A PARENT, HOW CAN I BE INVOLVED?
Parental involvement is very important in a child’s spiritual development. Did you know that parents are instructed to be teaching their children about the Lord every day?
During the Foundations for Kids class, parents play a key role in communicating with the Foundations teacher and working through the take home book with their child.
Parents are encouraged to help the teacher better discern their child’s understanding and participation in the class. A Family Discipleship training session is provided for the parents during the last session of the class, to help encourage them as they train and point their child to Jesus.
CAN MY CHILD BE BAPTIZED AFTER ATTENDING THE CLASS?
One purpose of the Foundations class is to help parents better understand the spiritual condition of their child. If you believe your child is ready to make a public announcement of their commitment to Christ through baptism, we’ll be happy to schedule their baptism. You may call the church office at 931.245.0000 or email Tabitha at tabitha.dowdy@fbct.org.
Please remember: This class will not make your child a Christian. Baptism should ONLY follow a salvation decision.
CAN THIS CLASS REALLY MEET THE NEEDS OF 1ST-5TH GRADERS?
Yes, it can. The issues dealt with are hard concepts to grasp, but with the teacher’s help and parental participation at home, we know that a first-grader can complete the class as well as a fifth-grader. If your child makes a salvation decision but does not have a clear understanding of baptism, we encourage parents to let their children wait until they have gained more understanding.