A Brief Summary of Foundation Builders Seminars

Foundation Builders is a series of seminars led by David and Sally Michael. Each focuses on a significant stage of child development from a God-centered perspective.

Though the seminars are designed for parents of children in the specific stage of development addressed, we encourage any parents, prospective parents or persons interested in ministry to children to attend Foundation Builders seminars. Why? Because one of our convictions is that the church and the home represent a partnership in nurturing the faith of Bethlehem children.

Every Foundation Builders seminar is organized around three questions: What can be done at home to nurture the faith of our children? What will be done at church to nurture the faith of our children? How can the church and home work together in nurturing the faith of our children?

We also want parents to be aware of what their children will be learning at church, so we offer a brief review of the curriculum and how parents can partner with us in imparting these truths to their children.

Foundation Builders 1 Seminar
This seminar is designed for anyone who is interested in nursery-age children (ages 0-2 years) and is a prerequisite for parents dedicating a child at Bethlehem. The class introduces the theology, vision and philosophy of parenting and children's discipleship at Bethlehem. Participants will understand the meaning of child-dedication and the implied duties of the parents and the church; the opportunities and challenges of building a spiritual "foundation" during the first two to three years of life; the specific vision the church has for nursery-aged children and the way we plan to support parents during this season of a child's life. Read the bibliography for Foundation Builders 1.

Foundation Builders 2 Seminar
This seminar is designed for those who are especially interested in preschool children, ages 2-6. Like the first seminar in this series, the aim of Foundation Builders 2 is to see how the church and home can coordinate their efforts in facing the challenges and opportunities of nurturing the faith of preschool children. This seminar will focus on practical ways to nurture a preschooler's understanding of and relationship with God. "Training in righteousness" (discipline) is discussed, as well as practical ways to encourage a preschooler's development in worship, prayer, and ministry. Read the bibliography for Foundation Builders 2.

Foundation Builders 3 Seminar
In Foundation Builders 3 the theology, philosophy and basic concepts introduced in previous seminars are expanded and applied to parents who have children in the early elementary years (ages 6-10). By this age we want children to have established habits and patterns that will be good for their faith and, by God's grace, continue for a lifetime. Topics include devotional and prayer life; Bible memory; tithing, fighting the fight of faith, corporate worship, family worship, purity of mind and heart and childhood conversion. Like the previous Foundation Builders seminars, this one offers many practical helps and resources to parents, teachers and anyone else who is interested in a child in this age group. Read the bibliography for Foundation Builders 3.

Foundation Builders 4 Seminar
Foundation Builders 4, as the name suggests, is the fourth in a series of seminars designed to bring the church and the home together around a common strategy for nurturing the faith of our children. This seminar gives particular focus on upper elementary children ages 10-14 years. Some of the stories we hear about the adolescent years are enough to make any parent tremble. This seminar does not offer a guaranteed plan for eliminating parenting problems during teen years but it does provide insight and strategies which can help prepare both youth and parents for some of the best and most significant times of their lives. Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, teachers, and friends are welcome to come and catch a vision for encouraging young people in faith and discover practical help in preparing for the challenges ahead. Read the bibliography for Foundation Builders 4.

Foundation Builders Content Overview