Inside the Book
Through the years, I have learned that those involved in adoption and orphan care ministries are passionate people with an energy level that astounds many.
Many of them began their journey excited, with passion and with an almost reckless abandon of common sense (at least compared to those who look at them from afar), of limited finances or even knowledge of all of the perils or pitfalls.
There are others who may want to begin the journey but are still pondering what they need to know, what to expect along the way and will they be travelling alone. Nonetheless, they are seriously considering the mission and all it may take is just a little nudge of hope and support for them to go. Finally, there are people who measure the cost over and over and never begin the journey. They think it is too expensive; too time consuming; or it is somebody else’s job, that is why we have the government; the church down the street does it, etc.
This book is written for all of the above and for the local church they are connected with. Hopefully with proper awareness and preparation they will become receptive, responsive and resolved to join others on the journey to the fatherless.
Chapter One can be used as a special message on any Sunday to launch a new series of classes in the church (based upon chapters two and forward). Chapter one will begin our work with awareness – looking at the reality for many orphans and vulnerable children today. For example, some children in orphanages are “double orphans” which is a situation in which both parents are missing or deceased. Other children are considered “vulnerable” due to an economic or social crisis within their family. Either way, these children do not have a stable environment in which to grow and thrive. Is there any doubt that both of these situations are serious and not what the Lord intends?
Chapters Two through Thirteen continues the awareness that we need but these chapters also begin the important matters of preparation. This material may be covered in a special class series (i.e. Sunday morning, Wednesday evening, etc) or in a home study group.
Chapter Fourteen may be a useful instrument for the local church to explore as it defines a model of support that assembles the “parts of the Body” so that they can work together. The resources within this model “wrap around” the family providing vital services in key areas. Not everyone is called to adopt but as the Body of Christ, we are called to love and support one another. This chapter covers five resource areas that would encourage participation by the members of the local church community.
Chapter Fifteen can be used as the concluding message which forms a pair of bookends with Chapter One. Chapter One sets the stage, the facts and the hope we have in the awesome power of God. Chapter Fifteen can be used as the framework for the stories of what happened to those who attended the intervening classes to commission their journey in prayer before the church, AND to engage the remainder of the church in their role of supporting one another.
Given the magnitude of the worldwide crisis we must ask this question: Is there any hope for the helpless? I believe there is AND I believe this hope can be found in Jesus Christ and the Church which bears His name.
The new Discussion & Study Guide is available in booklet form! All of the material is organized with starting points, questions, notes and biblical references for each chapter. These materials are intended to facilitate small group meetings, class discussions and personal study time. You can request a complimentary copy with a complete set of all discussion questions in a PDF format on the Contact Us page.
The Discussion & Study Guide is provided FREE with every book purchase. Additional copies can be ordered online along with all other materials.
A sample of these discussion questions is listed here from the Introduction.
The author mentions two purposes for the book.
What are they?
How many children are at risk today?
In the U.S.?
In the world?
What geographic examples can you use to describe the number of orphans in the world?
What happens to us on the journey as we follow the Lord’s leading, whether it is for adoption, foster care or caring for vulnerable children?
Why does the Church need the child in foster care?
The Lord gave His disciples clear instructions before they left.
What were they?
Why is adoption, foster care or helping vulnerable children in need like a journey?
Why do some people hesitate to begin the journey?
Discuss how the five goals of the book fit into your personal story?
The author described three action words that would define those who were hesitant at one time but who have had a change in heart.
What are those words?
The Discussion and Study Guide includes a class format and instructions for the class leader. The goal is to make the class instructional, informative and encouraging! Many class leaders and “book evangelists” for Journey to the Fatherless appreciate the fact that the book is scripturally based with relevant Bible references included with each chapter.
Journey to the Fatherless has fifteen chapters to teach, strengthen and motivate the reader to either start or pursue the journey of a lifetime. Chapters can be taken out of sequence, or used at different times depending upon the duration of the class.
The Journey to the Fatherless class kit can help you promote and lead a small group, Sunday School or support group for those interested in adoption, foster care or orphan care. This specially priced kit includes a vinyl banner, promotion poster, (5) large postcards, (5) softcover books as well as (5) Discussion & Study Guides , (1) hardcover book and (1) Leaders Guide. The class leader can decide the length of the class and structure the topics to meet their desired schedule. These are the essential items you need to help promote the class within your group or organization.
Additional copies of the books and postcards can be ordered separately at any time. Please note that each copy of the book comes with the Discussion & Study Guide.
There are five different postcards with each one representing a diverse perspective from foster care to international adoption. You choose the ones you would like to receive with the class kit. Additional post cards are available to be purchased separately.
Order the class kit and other supplies by request by contacting A Child's Hope Int'l.
An entire chapter in Journey to the Fatherless is devoted to a wrap around support model that any church can use!
This model is described in depth with descriptions of the various resources used to wrap around the family involved with adoption, foster care and orphan care!
All of us would most likely celebrate when an orphan or vulnerable child is placed in a loving, kind and supportive home. We would applaud, as well, the family whose chosen goal is to restore the hope of that child. However, it takes more than applause to restore the years lost in loneliness or to wipe away the tears (and years) of neglect, emotional deprivation and oftentimes, cruel abuse. It takes a church community whose heart “weeps with those who weep”.
Over the past few decades, there has been an increase in adoption and foster care therapeutic tools that can assist the family with pre-adoption assessments. The long term work of restoration and integration of a child in a healthy family unit takes work, sacrifice and often times, specialized help.
Even with better therapeutic tools, it is not enough. To succeed long after the applause has ended, wrap around resources are needed. These resources will assist the family unit in a holistic fashion; working together on matters of emotional, physical and spiritual influence.
The best place for that wrap around support is from the local church.
This special chapter in Journey to the Fatherless presents a model for wrap around support that a church can use easily and inexpensively to help those families involved directly with adoption and foster care.
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. (Acts 4:32)
What does this unique model of support accomplish?
It demonstrates selfless love to those unlikely to respond with anything but a heartfelt thank you.
It strengthens the armor of God around the most vulnerable targets of Satan’s wily schemes and at times when they need it most.
It brings life to the body of Christ by giving people more opportunities to be engaged in the life of an orphan as a pilgrim with purpose.
It shines the light of Christ brightly in local communities and on the least of these.
This chapter of Journey goes into detail on each of the five support resources that are given by the people of all ages in the local church! It is clearly a New Testament model of what the Apostle Paul had in mind:
Just as a body, though one has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. (1 Corinthian 12:12-14)
