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A younger generation asks,
"Will our generation ever have what our parents had?"
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Hi good friend!
Recently I listened to a radio interview in which a financial adviser fielded questions about making wise personal financial decisions in our challenging economic times. (By the way, my husband and I don't believe our economy is "crumbling," as many people say. We think it's resetting or "rebooting.") Anyway, a young caller asked, "Will our generation ever have what our parents had?" The adviser answered, "You will have more. You will have values."
Instilling Values...
If you are reading this newsletter, I assume you're actively instilling values in your children at home, school, and church. Instilling values is a family affair, whether "family" is the at-home unit or the wider church family. Instilling values is an intergenerational task. We start with ourselves. After all, we can enter the child's world. Even though childhood now is different in some ways from when we grew up, we've been children and can view it with some perspective. But it's impossible for a child to enter the adult world. A child has no idea of what it really is to be an adult and has not even developed the mental ability to think in adult ways.
The "Significant Adult" in a child's life...
 If you've read I Want to Believe, But I Can't, you'll know that I'm a firm believer in grace-minded adults mentoring children of all ages. In Child-Sensitive Teaching, I stress the importance of what I call "the significant adult," the person(s)  who is able to "speak into" the child's life, to affect the child's values. Parents are, of course, the adults of choice. But teachers, grandparents, and family friends can take on these roles as well. How do you know who is a significant adult? Ask these three questions:
- 1) Who spends time with the child?
- 2) Who plays (and works at chores) with the child?
- 3) Who listens (with interest and without judgment) when the child has something to say?
Intergenerational activities...
Family devotions provide a unique time to become significant adults, as do small, multi-age group meetings that include children. Day school and Sunday school can  provide this time as well. This month we are featuring a tried-and-true set of intergenerational guides that take groups through the life of Jesus with one featured lesson per week: Families Learning Together. Each lesson contains a variety of simple, hands-on activities to reinforce the theme for different ages. Leaders and parents can choose which of these activities would work best for the age-levels in their group. I've used these myself and know that involving adults in these activities is a fun way to start the discussions. People of all ages learn best by doing, and adults sometimes learn more in the activities than by simply sitting and listening to a discussion. In fact, one group of single professionals used the activities without any children and loved it! Of course, children think it's great fun to enjoy the activities with adults. Talk about becoming a significant person!
These guides don't have to be used with intergenerational groups, of course. They are just as effective with one age level. However, for those of you who work with multi-age groups, Families Learning Together might be just the guide you need as one component in your efforts to instill values in the next generation.
Blessings!
Karyn Henley
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Speaking & Exhibitor Events
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March 13-14, 2009
Exhibitor only
Hearts at Home National Conference
Illinois State University
Normal, IL
Contact: www.hearts-at-home.org
March 20-21, 2009
Live Seminar with Karyn Henley
"Kids and Faith in Today's Culture"
First Alliance Church
2201 Old Higbee Mill Road
Lexington, KY 40514
Contact: Kids@faclex.com
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May 8-9, 2009
Exhibitor & Vendor Workshop with Karyn Henley
Arlington Book Fair
Arlington Convention Center
Arlington, TX
Contact: Hearth & Home Ministries
www.HomeSchoolBookFair.org
Karyn's Workshop:
"Faith and Moral Development: Birth Thru Adolescence"
Friday, May 8 - Room M-9, 9:30am - 10:30am
(repeated Saturday, May 9 - Room M-9, 9:30am - 10:30am)
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More dates are pending. Please check our Events Calendar for updated information. Want to have Karyn present a seminar at your church? Email Ralph Henley or call 1-888.573.3953__________________ |
Our discussion group & Karyn's Blog
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A Karyn Henley Resources discussion forum has been launched at cmconnect.org for friends and users of Karyn's books, videos, curriculum and other materials.
Whether you are a children's pastor, family minister, parent, or educator, you are invited to join in, share your ideas, and let others know about the unique ways you have been using Karyn's materials.
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You are invited to visit
Karyn is currently leading a thought-provoking walk through the gospel of John as seen through the eyes of Jesus' friend Lazarus. Previous lessons & thoughts are available if you want to join in.
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