Dear Parents of Two-Year-Olds

(Church letterhead)

(date)

Dear Parents of Two-Year-Olds,

Isn’t it amazing what your two-year-old has learned to do? Their minds and hearts are ready for a very spiritual experience – sitting on your lap while you read to them from their very own picture Bible. That is why we are offering the three-session course called Picture Bible, which is one step of the Faith Legacy Series. See the enclosed Faith Legacy Series flyer for more information.

At these three sessions, you will learn…

• How to talk about God and matters of the faith with your kids. • How to create a home environment that invites God to be real and present. • How to pray more effectively with your child. • How to speak words of blessing to your child. • You will also have the chance to discuss with other parents of two-year-olds the challenges and joys of spiritual parenting.

On Sunday, (date and time) service, class participants will present their two- year-olds with a Picture Bible, while speaking a spiritual blessing over them.

At the first session on (date), you may order a Picture Bible through www.kidskountpublishing.com, or purchase a different Picture Bible on your own. In subsequent sessions we will provide different ideas to help you speak the words of blessing for the Picture Bible ceremony on (date).

Session Dates: (dates) Time: (time) Place: (location)

Please register today using the enclosed registration form, or by calling (contact) at (000-0000) or by email (your contact email address).

Thank you for the amazing privilege of partnering with you as we together bring kids and families to know, love and follow Jesus!

In His Wonderful Name… Registration Form “Picture Bible”

Picture Bible is one of the steps of the Faith Legacy Series – designed to help families grow spiritually. The three class sessions involve parents of two-year-olds in discussions centered on short video presentations about important parenting topics, including: • How to talk about God and matters of the faith with your kids • How to create a home environment that invites God to be real and present • How to pray more effectively with your child • How to speak words of blessing to your child

On (date), parents will speak a spiritual blessing over your two-year-old and present them with a Picture Bible at a special blessing event in the (time) worship service.

Session Dates: (date) Time: (time) Place: (location)

At the first session on (date), you may order a Picture Bible at www.kidskountpublishing.com, or purchase a different Picture Bible on your own. In subsequent sessions, we will provide different ideas to help you speak the words of blessing for child.

Mail this registration form to: (Your church mailing address).

Parent / Guardian Name(s): ______

Name(s) of 2-year-old(s): ______

Phone: ______Email: ______

You may also register via… • Email – (your contact email address) • Phone above information to: (your contact name and phone number)

This Picture Bible step is part of our Faith Legacy Series, which helps families grow spiritually every two years of a child’s life: birth, age 2, age 4, age 6, age 8, etc. Invite your neighbors and their kids to the Faith Legacy Series! Picture Bible (2-Year-olds) Blessing Script in the Worship Service Pastor: Invite Picture Bible parents with their 2-year-olds to come forward. Introduce the Faith Step Facilitator, who continues with the following:

Introduction: Faith Step Facilitator Something important is happening here. These families are passing on a legacy of faith. These parents of 2-year-olds are part of the Faith Legacy Series. They have met for three sessions in the Faith Step called Picture Bible where they learned how to help their 2-year-olds grow spiritually. Today they will bless their child and give them a Picture Bible. Hold up a Picture Bible.

For some, they will keep it in their Faith Chest at home to remind them of how God is growing the treasure of faith in their child’s life. Have a Faith Chest open and place the Bible inside.

Pastor’s Blessing to the Parents: Pastor Parents, we commend you for taking seriously your responsibility to help your families grow spiritually in the home. Receive this blessing: May God abundantly pour his Holy Spirit upon your family that your child would know, love and follow Jesus. Amen.

Address and Blessing to the Children: Pastor To the children: Boys and girls, we are so proud of you. You are ready to have your own Picture Bible. Moms and Dads, please hold up their Picture Bible for all to see.

This is God’s special book. It will tell you about Jesus. Boys and girls, I bless you to know Jesus…to love Jesus…and to follow Jesus all the days of your life. Amen.

Parent’s Blessing and Passing the Picture Bible: To the congregation: It is time for these parents to speak a personal blessing to their children. While they are doing that, let’s all pray for these families.

Faith Legacy Series: Picture Bible Blessing Event Script 1

Copyright 2005 Kids Kount Publishing, Omaha, NE 68137, www.kidskountpublishing.com Permission to photocopy Faith Legacy materials granted to purchaser only for local church use. Option: Congregation, if you would like, you may extend a hand toward these families as you pray for them.

Parents, kneel down, face your child, place your hands on his/her shoulders, and speak a blessing over your child. When you are through, pass the Bible to your child. Allow a minute to complete.

Another option is to use a microphone and listen to each parent’s blessing, though this takes more time.

Congregational Blessing to the Children: Faith Step Facilitator

I invite everyone to repeat the words after me as a blessing to these children. Boys and girls, you do the actions that I do with your Bible. Are you ready? Hold your Bibles up high. Congregation and parents, repeat after me…

Tell children: Hold the Bible over your head. This is God’s Word, from our Father above. (Congregation repeats) This is God’s Word, from our Father above.

Tell children: Hug the Bible to your chest. I’ll hold it close. It shows us His love. (Congregation repeats)

Tell children: Open the Bible. I’ll open it up, and Jesus I’ll see. (Congregation repeats)

Tell children: Close the Bible and hug it to your chest. God’s love is for all, for you and for me. (Congregation repeats)

Closing Blessing: Pastor

To congregation and children: In the name of Jesus, I bless you to enjoy spending time with him everyday reading your Bible. Amen.

Closing Response: Faith Step Facilitator

To the 2 year-olds: Boys and girls, hold your Bible’s up high. We are so proud of you and you are getting so big!

To congregation: Let’s all put our hands together to celebrate that these little ones will use their new Bibles!

Faith Legacy Series: Picture Bible Blessing Event Script 1