Take the Plunge: Dive deep into your faith!

There's still time to participate in the 2015 Summer Challenge! Sign up for the challenge at www.whitsend.org/summer for access to weekly verses to memorize, ideas for family fun and suggestions for service projects that allow a family to share their faith. Additionally, anyone who signs up to participate in the Take the Plunge challenge will receive a free scene from the latest Adventures in Odyssey album, as well as a free story from the book Strange Journey Back. The Take the Plunge challenge features: Master Mind Monday - commit God's Word to memory  Ways to Play Wednesday - spend active time with your family  Faith Sharing Friday - share God's love with others The Take the Plunge challenge helps families memorize at least five verses, engage in five activities together and share their faith with five people before the school doors swing open again. Those who sign up will receive a plan with suggested verses to memorize, activity ideas (such as visiting a war memorial) and ways to witness (such as passing out popsicles at the park with an invitation to your church), making this challenge the perfect tool for parents who want summer to be a time of spiritual and social stimulation for their kids. We want to hear how you are "taking the plunge" this summer! Share on your blog about the different ways you are implementing the challenges in your summer! Challenge your friends to finish this summer strong! My children have been saying their verses - a new one every week - in front of the church every Sunday.  Other church children sometimes participate, too.  To sign up for the Take the Plunge challenge, visit www.whitsend.org/summer.    More about Odyssey Adventure Club's Summer Challenge: Q: Some research shows that kids from ages 8 to 18 spend more than 7.5 hours a day with electronic devices such as a computer, phone or TV. Why should this be a concern to parents?  Lynn: We believe kids should be using their imagination and interacting with their family and friends. Many times media today tend to isolate. While the Odyssey Adventure Club is consumed through a computer or mobile device, it doesn't require a child to sit and stare at a screen. Kids can listen to episodes while doing other activities, such as coloring, playing with their toys or outside, riding in the car or exercising. The Odyssey Adventure Club also provides activities and devotions meant to be done as a family, encouraging that important interaction. Through the audio dramas, imagination is brought to life for kids within the theatre of the mind. Q: How does the Odyssey Adventure Club help moms and dads make spiritual investments into the lives of their children?  Lynn: Through the power of story and imagination, Adventures in Odyssey teaches life lessons through the lens of a biblical worldview. This helps a child grow and develop spiritually. All of our episodes with the Odyssey Adventure Club are also connected to a devotional, which will give parents the ability to tie together easily the program to a scripture and a spiritual lesson. Additionally, parents will find a daily devotional on the website that will take their children and their family deeper on their spiritual walk. Q: How will the Take the Plunge challenge help parents spiritually disciple their kids while giving them a great time with their family?  Florea: The Take the Plunge challenge focuses on a child's mind, body and spirit. We want families to be active together and create memories. At the same time, we want to see our members grow closer to Christ. As parents help their children memorize God's Word and reach out to others in God's love, the kids will see God move and understand He can use them to further His kingdom. Smithouser: Research tells us the more senses we involve when teaching children a principle, the more likely the principle will stick. Bible memorization by itself is great, but it becomes even more powerful when put into action. Know it. Share it. Live it. Any campaign that helps families make memories while being the heart and hands of Jesus to a hurting world is one worth getting behind. To learn more about the Take the Plunge challenge, visitwww.whitsend.org/summer.