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. Dr. Russell J. Levenson, Jr. at lhough@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!

Why did Jesus die?

At church, we have communion - to remember Jesus’ death on the Cross. But why did Jesus die? We always hear that Jesus came to save the world, but save the world from what, sin? Sin is an immoral act - anything that goes against God. How can Jesus’ death fix that? Can you talk about these questions with your family and friends?

Questions for discussion with your children
  • Why is sin not a good thing?
  • Why did Jesus have to come to Earth? Why couldn’t he stay in heaven with the Father?
  • When you think about a cross, do you picture Jesus there? Is that easy for you?