Launch

As a multi-generational church here in Parker County, we recognize that North Side is made up of all kinds of families – old and young, big and small – experiencing life and issues in so many different seasons. Our desire is to lead, care, and support you and your family no matter the makeup. One of the ways we are seeking to best accomplish this challenge is through our FAITH@HOME strategy which is based on a biblical belief that God designed the family as the primary place for discipleship.

To support this belief and your family, we have a great tool in our Faith Path initiative to partner with you as you guide your teenager’s spiritual journey one step at a time. It is based on age-appropriate kits that have been created to help you leverage the best faith formation strategy for your student’s stage of development. In this LAUNCH kit, you will find practical ideas and suggested resources to help you release your child to embrace independence. We urge you to start today by taking the following simple steps and look forward to watching your teen and family grow in your biblical understanding, relationships, spiritual discussions, and life application.

STEP ONE: LEARN
Check out the provided video that explains this particular Faith Path step. This video comes directly from the original launch of Faith Path and is used in a partnership with LakePointe Church. You will hear from both experts and ordinary families as they share practical suggestions from their experiences. You will also find a guide that offers practical tips and what we consider the best resources on the topic.

STEP TWO: START
To help make the process easier, this kit includes a Before You Leave discussion guide and a Sample Blessing Letter. Use these tools to create meaningful moments with your emerging adult before he or she leaves the nest. We hope you find this kit helpful in the process of forming the faith of your child at home. It can be life-changing not only for your child, but your relationship with them and family as you walk through this kit and the Faith Path strategy together in the years to come. Feel free to visit with our staff below to learn more or to determine if your child/children are ready for other Faith Path steps.

We’ve all heard the phrase “failure to launch” describing young men and women who don’t make the transition into responsible adulthood. Unfortunately, many parents inadvertently keep their teens from growing up due to overprotection and lack of intentionality. Whether your son or daughter is going off to college, joining the military or entering the workforce, how can you be intentional about successfully launching them into a God-honoring life?

BE A GOOD COACH
As the parent of an older teen on the verge of adulthood, you are a very important coach. You can motivate, encourage, challenge and advise, but you can’t force feed. You can help them articulate what they believe, challenge their thinking, remind them of the “basics” already learned during earlier years, but the time has come for your teen to truly own his or her own beliefs and choices. Provide a listening ear as they wrestle with and possibly question the values they learned as a teenager. Try to maintain a strong relationship that includes frequent, open dialogue.

GIVE PERSPECTIVE CONCERNING BIG QUESTIONS
During the transition into adulthood your son or daughter will face big questions including: Where should I go to college? What kind of work should I do? Where should I live? What should I do with my life? Who should I marry? Direct your child back to overarching Biblical principles. The last words of King David to his son Solomon (in 1 Chronicles 28:9) provide a model for parents advising emerging adults: “And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind.” In the midst of the practical advice parents may offer on setting goals, choosing a job, finding a spouse and so forth, we must also elevate the importance of making decisions in light of the scriptures.

GIVE A VISION FOR MARRIAGE & FAMILY
Parents often go to extremes to help a student prepare for college or the workforce but don’t know exactly what they can do when it comes to preparing them for the more important work of marriage and family. While a small minority will be called to life-long celibate service, most young people are called to marriage and family (Genesis 2:18-24). We sometimes overlook how much marriage and family serve as the organizing structure of life and the prime arena for our spiritual development. You have a vital part to play in helping your teenager leave your nest and cling to their future spouse.

MAKE THE MOST
While leaving home is a healthy and good process, it can be emotional for parent and teen alike. Ease the pain by using the remaining time your son or daughter has at home to create lasting memories. Spend quality time together connecting and talking about the exciting adventure of adulthood.

PREPARE THEM
Set your teenager up for the best opportunity to succeed and make an easy transition.

1. Plan a special time together to discuss the Before You Leave card included with this kit. Use the conversation to identify areas that might require some coaching before they leave.
2. Choose a particular book or resource to go through together. Schedule coffee dates to talk through specific topics.
3. Write a blessing letter to encourage your student. Let your teen know that you are praying for them during this season of transition. A sample letter is included with this kit.

Best Use
As a guideline for writing a blessing letter to your teenager who is leaving home.

Summary
Amid the last-minute packing and tearful goodbyes that accompany launching your young adult from the nest, stop to spend a few minutes writing him or her a letter of blessing. Feel free to use the sample letter on the reverse side as an example as you craft your own. Suggestion: You may want to include a few of your favorite Scriptures that have guided and encouraged you through the years.

Dear NAME:

I received you as a gift from God on BIRTHDATE/ADOPTION DATE. I now give you back to Him as you leave home to ATTEND COLLEGE/MOVE AWAY/ESTABLISH YOUR OWN HOUSEHOLD. Being your parent has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. And while our daily relationship will now change, my love and prayers for you will never end.

I will ask our heavenly Father to protect, guide and bless you as you enter an exciting new season of life. I plan to cheer you on as God uses you to impact His world.

PERHAPS MENTION SPECIFIC AREAS OF THE CHILD’S SKILLS/INTEREST.

I will pray that God will give you grace to maintain your faith and integrity when you face inevitable struggles and temptations. He made you for a purpose. If you stay in God’s Word and follow His leading, I know you will become all that He made you to be!

I want you to know I am very proud of you. I am only a phone call away if you ever want to talk or need advice or wisdom.

I love you NAME. I can’t wait to see how God will use you in the years to come!

DAD/MOM

BEST USE
As a guide to help your young adult gain confidence before leaving for college, renting his/her own apartment, etc.

SUMMARY
It can be both emotional and exciting to help teenager leave the nest. Before they pack up and drive away, plan for a weekend or a day together doing something fun. Use the time to go through a checklist of basic life skills they will need and helpful items that can set them up to succeed. The reverse side can help guide a conversation that will highlight a few areas in which your student might welcome some last-minute guidance or coaching.

READY TO GO?
CAR: Are you confident handling basic car issues such as changing a tire, checking tire pressure and fluid levels?

• TIP: If moving to a new town, help your child check with AAA.com or a local mechanic to identify a reputable mechanic in the area.

LAUNDRY: Do you know how to wash and dry a load of laundry? Colors and whites?

• TIP: Consider a fun trip to the laundry mat for your child to figure out how to use a different machine than you have at home.

FOOD: Can you cook a few nutritious meals?

• TIP: Let your son/daughter choose a meal and guide them through the preparation and cooking process. Enjoy the time together as you create a fun memory that will also increase their odds of survival!

MONEY: Do you have a budget?

• TIP: Consider going online to daveramsey.com to download budget forms to fill in with your child.

HEALTH: What doctor will you visit if you get sick?

• TIP: Help your child have a plan for any medical emergencies and/or finding a new doctor if moving to a new town.

CHURCH: If moving to a new town, what church will you attend?

• TIP: Ask a pastor at your present church for suggestions on how to find a good church in the area. Also, consider visiting different churches together with your child and then discussing what he/she did and didn’t like. If going away to college get information on groups like CREW (Campus Crusade for Christ) and other Christian college organizations.

COLLEGE CAMPUS: If going to school, are you confident you will be able to find your classes, etc.?

• TIP: Take time to walk around campus together and help your child get a good feel for where everything is located.

How will you be intentional this next year?

• Pray daily for and with my child.
• Consistently spend time in God’s Word with my child.
• Bless my child daily.
• Schedule and have regular family times.
• Create a habit of worship with my child.
• Serve together as a family.
• Schedule regular times of connecting with my teen to help prepare for the transitions of launch.

The next step on the Faith Path is Launch, recommended at age eighteen. We will offer a Launch kit to guide you.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

Welcome to College: A Christ-Follower’s Guide for the Journey by Jonathan Morrow
Give Them Wings by Carol Kuykendall
How to Stay Christian in College by J. Budziszewski
Don’t Waste Your Life by John Piper
The Freshman 15 by Kate Henderson
True U video series from trueu.org Just
Do Something by Kevin DeYoung

© 2012 Inkling Innovations & Lydia Randall

Andrew Williamson, High School Pastor
andrew@nsbcweatherford.com
Jim Garner, Family & Missions Pastor
jim@nsbcweatherford.com