KidsCom wants to support you as you endeavor to raise your child(ren) to love and follow Jesus. Below is some of the content and resources we have compiled to do just that. You will see we have some articles to help in handling things like talks about salvation and the like.
More than anything, know that we are praying for you and are here if you have any questions.
LeRoy Lee
Family Pastor
Email leroy.lee@newhopepdx.org
Phone 503-908-5889
Here at New Hope we observe communion every Sunday. Whether you are taking communion during the service or at home with your family, here is some helpful information for leading and explaining its meaning.
During the Last Supper, Jesus served His closest friends bread and wine that symbolizes Jesus giving His body and blood for our sins. Today, Christ followers remember Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and examine our lives as we take part in Communion.
For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. 1 Corinthians 11:26 (NIV)
If you are wanting to take a closer look at Communion here are some helpful resources...
About the Last Supper and Jesus’ sacrifice, read Matthew 26.
About Communion, read Paul’s instructions to the church in 1 Corinthians 11:23-32.
Helpful information for kids https://www.pursuegodkids.org/what-is-communion/
Leading Communion with your family? Here is a helpful guide.
1. Examine & Pray
First, take a moment to examine yourself and allow the Holy Spirit to show you any sin in your life, and ask Jesus for His forgiveness.
Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat the bread and drink from the cup. 1 Corinthians 11:28 (NIV)
2. Take & Eat
Second, eat the bread/cracker that represents the body of Christ. Remember how His body was broken for our sins.
While [the disciples] were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Matthew 26:26 (NIV)
Pray “Thank you for the bread. I remember your body that was broken for me.”
3. Take & Drink
Third, drink the juice that represents the blood of Christ. Remember the new covenant, or promise, that we can be free from all sin through Christ’s shed blood.
Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Matthew 26:27-28 (NIV)
Pray “Thank you for the cup. I remember your blood that was shed for my forgiveness and the promise that I will live eternally with you.”
Finally pray, “Jesus, thank you for your sacrifice. I am free because of you.”
If you have questions about following Jesus or someone in your family has decided to follow Jesus, let us know by clicking on this button.
Contact Us About Following Jesus
We want to help you have a great conversation with your child about following Jesus. The path to salvation is not complicated. It is about making Jesus your leader and number one friend. Below are some tools for you.
Explore your child’s understanding with these questions and Bible verses.
If these questions show your child doesn’t understand what "following Jesus" means, or maybe you want more to talk about...
Here are 4 lessons that we found to help build a better understanding of salvation. They each have a video and discussion components.
One of the best ways to introduce your child to Jesus is to show how Jesus is the center of your family by praying, reading the Bible together, attending church weekly, and serving.
One of the approaches we use in KidsCom to explain how to become a follower of Jesus is the ABC’s of salvation.
ADMIT
Admit that you have done wrong and ask God to forgive you for disobeying Him. (Romans 3:23)
BELIEVE
Believe that God sent Jesus to take the punishment for your sin. Trust that you are forgiven because Jesus made you right with God. (Romans 10:9, Ephesians 2:8)
CHOOSE
Choose to spend your whole life depending on God’s power to say “no” to sin. As you live and love like Jesus, tell others that God is your leader and number one friend. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
If you believe your child does understand what "following Jesus" means, ask:
If your child’s answer to both questions is yes, you can pray the following prayer together:
Dear God,
I admit I’ve done wrong. I ask You to forgive me. I believe Jesus took my punishment for my sin. I’m forgiven because Jesus died and rose from the dead. I choose to spend my whole life depending on Your power to help me say, “No!” to sin. Help me to love You. Help me love others. Help me share that You are my leader and number one friend. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Celebrate!
Your child chose Jesus as their leader and best friend! We want to know and celebrate with you. Talk to a KidsCom leader or email leroy.lee@newhopepdx.org. We look forward to supporting you!
So you have had a baby or have a baby on the way. You are thinking back and have memories of families presenting their babies at church. Maybe your family has a long history of christening their children (Christening is another name for baby baptism). Here at New Hope we believe in the practice of Parent-Child Dedications. This concept is born out of these verses in 1 Samuel.
“I asked the Lord to give me this boy, and he has granted my request. Now I am giving him to the Lord, and he will belong to the Lord his whole life.” And they worshiped the Lord there. 1 Samuel 1:27-28 (NLT)
Here we read Hannah's prayer, recognizing that her child is a gift from God and committing him back to the Lord. She is dedicating both herself and Samuel unto God.
Parent-Child Dedications are a public recognition of the parent’s commitment to create a safe environment where they will lead their child into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. As their child gets older, the parent is best positioned to guide and help them understand what this means to become a follower of Jesus Christ.
Parent-Child Dedications are NOT infant baptisms. New Hope believes that when people are old enough to understand what it means to put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, they should have the opportunity to make that choice for them-selves. Furthermore, there is no “saving grace” attached to this ceremony. It is simply a statement of intent and desire.
Parent-Child Dedication Sunday is a time for family and friends to show their support and intention to help parents with their commitment to their children. Parent-Child Dedication Sundays are scheduled periodically throughout the year during our Sunday services.
Do you acknowledge your child as a gift from God? Psalm 127:3 (NlT) Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.
Do you commit to live a godly life before your child so that he or she will have an example to follow? Proverbs 22:6 (NlT) Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.
Do you commit to give your child opportunity to hear the Good News of God’s love, so that he or she will be able to respond through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ? Matthew 19:14 (NlT) But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.”
Do you commit to raise your child in a way that teaches them to grow in their love for Jesus Christ?
Are you interested in a Parent-Child Dedication? Fill out this form. Or if you have more questions contact LeRoy - leroy.lee@newhopepdx.org, 503-908-5889