• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Building Faith

Building Faith

  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • Who We Are
    • Our Writers
    • Author Guidelines
    • FAQs
    • Subscribe
    • Contact Us
  • ARTICLES
    • Articles by Topic
    • Most Recent Articles
  • EN ESPAÑOL
  • RESOURCES
    • Curriculum Center
    • Vacation Bible School
    • Webinars
    • Episcopal Teacher
    • Signs of Life
    • Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of John
    • 5 Marks of Love
    • Growing a Rule of Life
    • It’s Time To…
  • SUPPORT US
  • Show Search
Hide Search
Home/Intergenerational/Spread Christian Joy… With Dry Erase Markers! 2 Fresh Ideas

Spread Christian Joy… With Dry Erase Markers! 2 Fresh Ideas

“On an average day, I’ll come in and find verses, pictures of crosses, stories of faith, prayers, and even questions they have for God.”

 

Creativity and Faith

I have always been struck by creativity in church families. Throughout my adult life I’ve lived in three major cities and have discovered that churches who let congregations express their faith creatively are the ones that have helped me grow the most in my faith.

Dry Erase Markers for Christian Education Events

I currently serve as Director of Children and Family ministries at a PCUSA church just outside of Madison, WI. As a way to encourage our kids and youth to be creative in their faith, we leave out markers on tables with plastic table cloths in one of our rooms.

On an average day, I’ll come in and find verses, pictures of crosses, stories of faith, prayers, and even questions they have for God. Our students are allowed to express doubts, fears, joys and anything else their hearts desire.

 

Table After

Dry Erase Marker God

 

Dry Erase Markers For Mirrors at Home

The idea of forming faith with dry erase markers started a few years ago, while I was living with two extraordinary women of faith in Chicago. When we moved in I bought dry erase markers for our household calendar. A week or two into living together, I began using them to write scripture on our bathroom mirror, as I was usually the first one awake in the morning.

I never thought of it as a big deal; the Bible verses were just a fun thing to do each day. Then one of my roommates mentioned how encouraging it was, and we soon made it a tradition in our apartment.

When I started at this church I brought the idea with me. I encourage families with kids and teens to write Bible verses as a fun activity at home. You might be surprised by how much excitement it sparks in kids when they are able to write scripture or a message on a mirror when they first wake up.

It’s fascinating to see what they remember from past sermons, Sunday School or the Children’s moment. Finally, this practice also giving teachers and family members a great way to understand when kids or teens are experiencing doubts or working through hard questions.

Conclusion: Little Ideas Strengthen Faith

The idea of writing a verse on a bathroom mirror seemed like a simple idea, yet it had a lasting impact. Consider the people in your congregation and how ideas like this can help them on their spiritual journeys.

  • Students leaving for college
  • Kids and teens
  • New members
  • Families

Often times it’s the simple ideas that help us in forming Christian faith. Give kids and teens dry erase markers and let them express their faith, no matter where they are in their journey. Provide families with dry erase markers and a note encouraging them to get creative with their faith. It may just move mountains for you and your congregation!

Never doubt your ideas, even if they seem simple to you at first. I often wonder if the churches I attended growing up have any idea the impact they had on me and my faith. My prayer is that, for the kids at our church, I can provide even half that impact, as we move through our faith journeys together.

 


Renee Keen is the Director of Children and Family Ministries at First Presbyterian Church in Waunakee, Wisconsin where she shares in ministering to over 200 children through Vacation Bible School, Christmas programs, Sunday School, and Kingdom Kids. Renee has worked in arts management while participating in ministry programs such as GRIP Outreach for Youth, Chicago Hopes and World Relief. 

 

 

About the Author

  • Renee Keen

    View all posts

Print PDF

June 20, 2016 By Renee Keen

Filed Under: Intergenerational Tagged With: church, college, spirituality, teens

Primary Sidebar

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • RSS

Subscribe to Building Faith

You’ll get new articles, plus free weekly updates in your inbox.

We respect your privacy. View our privacy policy here.

Search Our Site

Search by Topic

New Articles

Stack of children's picture books showing titles on the book spines

20 Children’s Book Suggestions for Beginning a Checkout Library

I’ve written about how to build a checkout library for children and households before in Creating a …

Continue Reading about 20 Children’s Book Suggestions for Beginning a Checkout Library

Nine dogs in front of a pink wall

St. Francis Day Survival Guide: Practical Tips for Animal Blessings

Many churches and faith communities offer animal blessing ceremonies. A popular date for these …

Continue Reading about St. Francis Day Survival Guide: Practical Tips for Animal Blessings

Question "What does being Latinx mean to you?" with words in response on dark gray background

Hispanic, Latinx/Latine, and Indigenous Heritage Month Resources for 2023

September 15 - October 15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month in the U.S. This month invites us to …

Continue Reading about Hispanic, Latinx/Latine, and Indigenous Heritage Month Resources for 2023

Footer

Keep in Touch

  • Email
  • Facebook

Building Faith

Lifelong Learning, Virginia Theological Seminary
3737 Seminary Rd.
Alexandria, VA 22304

Copyright © 2023 · Building Faith · A Ministry of Virginia Theological Seminary

Design by Blue+Pine Creative, Inc.

Subscribe to Building Faith

Get articles and resources by email

Privacy Policy