It Takes a Parish to Raise a Child
We are committed to being a church that supports and equips parents in raising their children to be followers of Christ. This means we all are intentionally involved in our children’s spiritual formation as a body of believers at each stage of life. Raising children to follow Jesus isn't a solo act by parents - but something we all get to join as extended family.
Read below to learn more about our hopes for each age. If you still have questions after reading, feel free to reach out to the OP Kids Team.
Pre-K to Kindergarten
We love our littles! We want them to learn and sing the stories of the Bible, and experience the love of Jesus through the extended family at Oaks Parish. This happens at home in family devotions, in community on Sunday morning at Sprouts, and through experiencing the beauty of church calendar and holy rituals like Easter and Lent.
1st to 5th Grade
Elementary school is a formative time in our kids' lives - so most of all we hope that they begin to understand how Jesus personally saves them. Even as they grow in their knowledge of the Bible, participate in weekly Sunday liturgy and Saplings class, build relationships within the extended family of Oaks Parish, and start to join acts of service, we most of all want them to experience the Gospel in their own life.
Middle School & High School
Middle schools is often an inflection point where faith becomes personal - especially when experiencing God's grace in a moment of personal failure. Middle schools is when formative rhythms of daily devotions, group discipleships, and serving in the weekly liturgy begin.
We celebrate our high-schoolers moving out into the world as followers of Jesus. We hope that they have built habits of daily devotion, are deeply engaged in community at Oaks Parish,
and can tell their own story of grace. We want to be both a safe place for asking the big questions, and a home base for growing service and love for Portland. And then we hope to launch them as adults and disciple-making followers of Jesus!
We have a strategic partnership with Imago Dei Community youth and our students have access to monthly opportunities for discipleship and summer camp. Learn more here.
Sunday Morning
Sprouts
Come join us at Sprouts, our preschool class that meets on Sunday mornings during the sermon! Each week we gather to hear a Bible story and enjoy play and other activities that reinforce the story’s wonderful truth about God and God’s love for us. Together we’ll learn how God sent Jesus to be with us and care for us always—a wonderful and comforting truth for little ones.
Saplings
Gather with our early elementary class, Saplings, during the sermon on Sunday mornings! We make use of our vivid imaginations, ask questions, and engage with God’s Big Story as we experience the wonder, greatness, and love of our God.
Family Worship Rhythms
Our children learn the most about the Gospel from what happens at home. As parents, we can create devotional rhythms that provide a place to teach our children the Gospel and draw hearts together in following Jesus. We've pulled together resources for ordinary time family devotions, and also special resources for church holy seasons like Lent, Easter, and Advent.
