Across the country, students and parents/caregivers are getting ready to head back to the classroom. Whether that classroom is in the home or away in a school, the nerves and anxiety that can accompany new things is palplable, This is a perfect time for us to be that non-anxious presence and offer the grace and peace that comes with knowing God is with us.
Below are some intentional ways parents/caregivers or ministers can connect with students throughout the school year in a variety of ways that will help keep them grounded with faith and family.
PRESCHOOL/KINDERGARTEN
The Kissing Hand is a book where a little raccoon is nervous about being away from his mom on his first day of school and she kisses the palm of his hand and tells him that if he is feeling scared or lonely, he can press his palm to his cheek and feel her love with him.
We can do this for our kids as well and one way to connect it to faith would be to draw a heart and a cross on the palm of their hand and say, “If you miss me, you can look at your hand and know that I love you and that Jesus is always with you.”
ELEMENTARY
When serving as a Children’s Pastor, I would go to a local public school and eat lunch with a bunch of “my” kids from church. At the beginning of the year, I gave the kids frog pencil toppers and told them whenever school gets tough to remember that they could “Fully Rely On God.” I bought a big bag of small plastic frogs on Amazon to take with me when I have lunch with the kids. When I come to visit, I give each kid a frog to remind them to fully rely on God.
As I sit with the kids, their friends are intrigued and want frogs, too. So I give “my” kids frogs to hand out. As they do, I explain who I am and why I was there. “My” kids invite their friends to come to church with them. I emphasize that I’ll be there and the kids’ friends will be there and I would follow up the invitation by letting kids know their entire families are welcome
This experience is awesome. We probably invited more kids to church in that shared lunch than in most of our outreaches, all because of some plastic frogs and some really great kids. I think this would be great for parents/caregivers to do as well as ministers – it’s a way to connect that is tangible and experiential.
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Middle school – just hearing that can immediately strike a chord of terror in many hearts. Whether it is because you are reflecting back on your own experience or dreading the fact that your child is now entering or in that phase, the middle school era carries with it some unique challenges.
Consider making space for some intentional conversations or weekends away to help them find space to connect with their parents/caregivers and process the new things they are learning or experiences. A few ways to make these intentional conversations meaningful:
- Build the excitement – Let middle schoolers know that there’s a plan to get away or to connect. It will mean so much to know they are being prioritized.
- Give over (some) control – While there may be specific things a parent/caregiver might want to address, offer space for the middle schoolers input and let them direct the conversation as they feel comfortable.
- A gift, like a watch or a necklace, that can help them re-connect to their conversation and to the love and faith shared at that time. Reminiscent of the Kissing Hand.
- Have FUN! – Fun is how this age learns. Creating space for connections to be made in a place of joy will help them to be solidified in their hearts and minds.
HIGH SCHOOL
In 2017, Dr. Richard Ross, a professor at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, asked that question. Specifically, he states, “The issue really is not: How is our youth group doing today? Instead, the core question is: How will our youth group be doing for a lifetime?” In answering that question, he proposed three needs that must be met for the goal of making disciples to be achieved. He based those three needs directly on Scripture consistent with the best current research concerning teenagers who follow Jesus for a lifetime. His “ministry in thirds” consists of…
- Parents/Caregivers who adore Jesus, love the church, and are actively on mission.
- An integrated community of believers where old and young interact in relationships and worship.
- A Bible-drenched peer group who actively live out the gospel together.
As the school year ramps us, it may be tempting to reduce time spent together with the faith community. Understandably, new jobs and sports activities may become a challenge. But work with high schoolers to find a way to compensate if regular gathering times can’t be maintained.
COLLEGE
When our kids grow up and head to college, it can often be an “out of sight, out of mind” scenario. But that is to our detriment. While those students may not return to our building, our heart is always to help them stay connected to the church.
Ways we can do that:
- Pray over and send each student out with a blessing. One church I know puts together blankets which they also pray over and send with the student in college.
- Connect each student with a church “pen pal” who will organize the sending of care packages and notes to the student while they are away.
- Check in with the parents and parents/caregivers, check in with your church. Pray for and support one another.
- Welcome Home – Make a big deal out of homecoming visits. This doesn’t have to be loud and up-front, but acknowledging their visit and letting them know how much they are loved and missed will speak volumes to a sense of community and belonging.
REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
Generations Together is a one-day online conference designed to inspire and equip church leaders, volunteers, and ministry teams to build bridges across generations.
Hosted by Dr. Christina Embree of ReFocus Ministry, this interactive experience features:
- Dynamic Keynote Sessions with thought leaders in intergenerational discipleship
- Breakout Workshops led by practitioners who’ve seen transformation in real congregations
- Ministry Meetups where you’ll connect directly with speakers and other attendees in live chat spaces
- VIP Access to all session recordings, exclusive digital resources, and Q&A panel with leading voices
Whether you’re new to intergenerational ministry or looking to deepen what you’re already doing, this conference will give you practical tools, inspiring stories, and meaningful connections to help your whole church grow—together. LEARN MORE
🎟 Early Bird: $15 (8/1/2025)| Regular: $30 (9/1/2025)
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About the Author
Christina Embree is the founder and director of ReFocus Ministry. She holds a masters in ministry focused on Children, Youth, and Family Ministry and a doctorate in spiritual formation with a focus on age segregation and intergenerational ministry. In addition to coaching churches of multiple denominations and traditions all around the globe, Christina serves as the Minister of Generational Discipleship for the Great Lakes Conference of the Brethren in Christ and as a pastor at Plowshares Brethren in Christ in Lexington, Kentucky. She is widely recognized as a speaker and author in the areas of generational discipleship, intergenerational ministry, and family ministry. As the mother of three children, she is familiar with the challenges of faith at home and pastoral ministry. She along with her husband Luke share a love for the church, their community, and the global work of peace and restoration through Jesus.
