Resolve to engage this New Year

Many people in your community will make New Year’s resolutions this year. They may resolve to be wiser with their money, to spend more time with their children, or to invest in their marriage. Here are some ways you can help them keep these resolutions:

Resolve to be better with money

The Money Secret Adult Education Course is easy to follow and cuts through the jargon to help people discover the secrets of debt-free living.

Bruce Perrin and a team from All Saint’s Church in Marple, Stockport, ran The Money Secret Adult Education Course in a local café. Half the people doing the course were from the church and half were from the surrounding community.

“All of us involved in the course – including the leaders – found we learned a lot,” says Bruce. “And some people had their lives substantially changed as a result.

“We had one lady on the course who was working 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year to make ends meet. Now, because of the budgeting techniques she learned with us, she is able to take every other weekend off to spend with her family, and is better off as well.”

Download this free course at www.themoneysecret.info

Resolve to spend more time with your children

If you aren’t ready to run a fully-fledged parenting course, how about an informal get-together watching Care for the Family’s 21st Century Parent DVD?

Jane Sykes, a mum of four, regularly met with a group of friends in a church home group. After a discussion about how difficult parenting can sometimes be, the group decided to watch the 21st Century Parent DVD together. They invited some other friends, who didn’t go to church, along too.

“As a parent of teenagers, I feel it’s good to have all the help I can get,” says Jane. “None of our kids are tearaways – yet! But we all wanted some help with the general issues we face.

“The DVD offered us a good structure to get together and start talking. Rob Parsons presents it in a very honest way, and that encouraged us as parents to be open and honest too. It’s non-threatening and non-judgmental and, because Rob talks about his own experiences, you feel that you’re not alone.”

Find out more about 21st Century Parent here.

Resolve to invest in your marriage

21st Century Marriage is another informal DVD-based discussion starter, presented by Rob Parsons. It has already been used in churches and home groups, and is suitable for both church folk and those who don’t attend.

Take a look for yourself – watch a 3-minute video clip here.

You can find out more about 21st Century Marriage here.

Plan now for the New Year

Remember, Christmas offers an unparalleled opportunity to tell families in your community about the courses and support you’re organising in the New Year. Include details in your carol service sheets, and in the invitations you give out to ask people along to your Christmas services. Mention it in the church notices, and you could also put on a taster session of the course you’re planning to run so that people can find out more and sign up.

Last Updated 17 September 2009