Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart.
Northlake@home Milestones serve as a guiding pathway for the spiritual development of our children and students. These suggested markers are in place to equip and encourage our church family to faithfully continue the work of intentional discipleship of the next generation.
Each step is meant to build on the one before it, so every family's journey will look different.
No child's age is too old to start building the foundation for a lifelong faith.
No child's age is too old to start building the foundation for a lifelong faith.
Dedication
(recommended age 0+)
Parents make a public commitment to honor Deuteronomy 4:5-6 intentionally both in their own lives and as they raise their child in a gospel centered home.
Parents make a public commitment to honor Deuteronomy 4:5-6 intentionally both in their own lives and as they raise their child in a gospel centered home.
Prayer
(recommended age 3+)
Parents establish the rhythm of intentionally and routinely connecting with their children to teach them how to pray, who God is, and why we pray to Him.
Parents establish the rhythm of intentionally and routinely connecting with their children to teach them how to pray, who God is, and why we pray to Him.
Bible
(recommended age 6+)
Families complete a reading plan to learn the grand Biblical narrative and see how each story reveals God’s character and points us to Jesus.
Families complete a reading plan to learn the grand Biblical narrative and see how each story reveals God’s character and points us to Jesus.
Baptism
(recommended age 8+)
For those who understand the gospel, have repented and profess faith in Jesus for salvation, public baptism is the first step in obedience as a follower of Jesus.
For those who understand the gospel, have repented and profess faith in Jesus for salvation, public baptism is the first step in obedience as a follower of Jesus.
Promotion
(age 5th grade)
As students are promoted from elementary to middle school, they are challenged to begin daily time with God on their own.
As students are promoted from elementary to middle school, they are challenged to begin daily time with God on their own.
Passage
(recommended age 12-13+)
Parents celebrate the passage from childhood to adulthood with one on one conversations to shape a right view of their child’s identity.
Parents celebrate the passage from childhood to adulthood with one on one conversations to shape a right view of their child’s identity.
Surrender
(recommended age 15-16+)
Students are challenged to take a personal inventory of their relationship with God and surrender every area of their life in obedience to Christ.
Students are challenged to take a personal inventory of their relationship with God and surrender every area of their life in obedience to Christ.
Serve
(recommended age 16+)
Young adults connect in a meaningful way with their church family by committing to use their own gifts to serve and minister to others.
Young adults connect in a meaningful way with their church family by committing to use their own gifts to serve and minister to others.
Launch
(recommended age 18+)
Emerging adults are prepared to explain and defend their faith as they move from home to independence.
Emerging adults are prepared to explain and defend their faith as they move from home to independence.
NEW RESOURCES
Starter Sticks: for faith conversations at Home - "Knowing God"
Northlake@Home:
Personal Inventory
Personal Inventory
In the car, in the living room, at the table... keep the container wherever you are with your family. Pull out a stick and let it start the God-centered conversation for you.
Each stick reminds you of one attribute of God and gives you a related scripture, discussion and prayer prompt.
Flip the sticks you've used over until you've done them all!
Each stick reminds you of one attribute of God and gives you a related scripture, discussion and prayer prompt.
Flip the sticks you've used over until you've done them all!
Take a thoughtful look at your life and your roles .
Make an action plan for growing in each area.
Make an action plan for growing in each area.