Our Family Life Class, aimed at adults of a younger age and their families, we is studying new course, Alpha for Families. This is the well-known Alpha Course designed to encourage family conversations with your spouse or children about some of the ‘big’ questions of faith.

Every Sunday, we will watch a 15-20 minute video about a big question (e.g. “How do I have faith?” or “Does God heal today?”). You can watch alone or with your spouse, kids or friends! There’ll be a few ‘pauses’ in the message for you to think about what you believe and discuss it with whomever you’re watching.

For younger children, you will find a conversation starter guide in the email and on the website. So, after you watch the teaching, you can start having deeper faith conversations with your younger kids who might not sit through the video.

The Rev. Dr. Suse E. McBay
Associate for Adult Christian Education and Prayer Ministries

The Rev. Alex D. Graham III
Associate for Children and Family Ministries
Please do not reply to this email.
To respond to this Bible study, please email
the Rev. Sharron Cox at scox@stmartinsepiscopal.org.
A Guide for Discussion with Younger Children

Welcome!

We encourage you to use this guide to have a conversation with your children. Maybe over dinner, before bed or on a drive somewhere, there are always opportunities to start talking with our kids about some of these basic beliefs of Christians, and to help them think it through for themselves. You, as their parents, have an important role to play in giving them permission to ask these questions, and you do not have to have all of the answers!

Does God Heal Today?

To make someone healthy again is the definition of healing. We’ve heard stories throughout the Bible where Jesus healed others - lepers, blind people, and more. Sometimes we think about that being an old story, but Christians believe God heals today too. Many will say “the more we pray the more people are healed, even though God doesn’t heal everyone.” Discuss the following questions as you look at how and if Jesus still heals people today.

  • Do you believe God heals people? Is that easy or hard for you to believe? Why?
  • If Jesus heals someone, does that mean he loves them? What if he doesn’t heal someone - does that mean he doesn’t love them? Do you think it’s possible for Jesus to love someone but that person remains unwell?
  • Who do you know that needs to feel better? Could you pray for them?