Taking Faith Home
We believe that faith is not just a "Sunday morning" thing, but something that shapes our day to day living, our relationships with one another, our relationship with the world around us, and of course, our relationship with God. Below are some resources for bringing faith home, in addition to our faith formation offerings throughout the week, sorted by the group the resource targets.
All Ages/ Cross-Generation
Virginia Synod events for a synod-wide faith formation experience are found on the Virginia Synod Events page. Participants can engage in virtual or in-person events in community with other Lutherans in Virginia.
"Worship in the Home" - An ELCA resource for worship that extends beyond the walls of the building. Links to services and to stories can be found here: ELCA Worship.
Engage in Daily Bible Studies and Daily Discipleship practice based on lectionary readings for the current liturgical year.
"Faith 5" - A Faith Inkubators Resource that continues faith formation at home. They provide a meaningful model for doing faith formation and faith conversations at home.
1) Share your highs and lows
2) Read a bible verse or story
3) Talk about how the reading may relate to highs/ lows
4) Pray for one another's highs and lows
5) Bless one another
More information can be found on the Faith 5 Website.
Praying in Color - is a great resource for digging deeper into one's prayer life by Sybil MacBeth. Her approach combines prayer with art, doodling, and coloring. There are resources for all ages, including books, templates, and other resources. Her books and DVDs are available here: Books. Templates, handouts, and guides for their use are available for download here: printables.
Faith @ Home - Lectionary-based readings and reflections. These resources invite you to engage in the practices of reading, reflecting, and responding to scripture in the context of home and community. This resources comes out of the Episcopal church.
Adults
Recommended Study Bibles: Harper Collins Study Bible, Oxford Annotated Bible, the Lutheran Study Bible
Devotionals: The Divine Hours by Phyllis Tickle, Daily Prayer with the Corrymeela Community by Padraig O Tuama, Daily Feast: Meditations from Feasting on the Word
Poetry (authors): Ann Weems, Luci Shaw, Maya Angelou
Living Lutheran Magazine - an online and print resource of the ELCA. It includes various resources for digging deeper into faith.
Gather Magazine - the Magazine of WELCA. They publish multi-session bible studies and devotional each year.
Bold Café - A free online resource written by young adult women, sponsored by WELCA. They include articles that dive deeper into a monthly topic of faith, a podcast, and faith reflections.
Augsburg Fortress - the publishing ministry of the ELCA. Find Bibles, books, worship resources, and more for all ages.
Living out Faith in service: ELCA Advocacy, Virginia Synod Tapestry for Racial Reconciliation.
Kids/ Youth/ Families
Story Bibles: The Children of God Storybook, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Frolic First Bible (age 0-3), Frolic Preschool Bible (preK), Whirl Story Bible (preK-2 grades), Spark Story Bible (age 2 - grade 2).
Kids' Bibles: Whirl Kids Study Bible (Grades 3-6), Spark Bible (Grades 3-6), Connect Bible (Grades 5 & 6)
Youth Bibles: Collaborate Lutheran Student Bible (grades 6-12), Lutheran Study Bible and many other options
Devotionals: Spark Devotions for Kids, Psalm Book: Prayers and Poems for Kids.
The World Jesus Knew: A Curious Kid's Guide to Life in the First Century by Marc Olson (ages 9-12)
Faithful Families (series by Traci Smith) - resources to help create sacred moments at home.
"Roots & Wings" is a ministry of the Virginia Synod for families of children from birth through age five. They provide suggestions for a few keys for faithful living: devotional life, service, rituals & tradition.
"We Wonder" podcast - "The podcast where we wonder together about the story of God. We Wonder is a contemplative devotional for children."