+ INTENTIONAL

In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Paul states what has become a pivotal truth as we seek to encourage women to pass along their faith to the next generation. Paul says he is running his race in a way that he has a shot at winning, and he is encouraging all of us to run to win, envisioning eternity as our prize. Running to win requires training, discipline and intentionality. Running to win means having a game plan, and parents need a game plan to follow as they pass along their faith to the next generation. A game plan, even the best and most well executed game plan, won’t ensure the baton won’t be dropped, but we as parents are to do all we can to run to win, leaving the outcome in God’s hands.

+ SUSTAINABLE

Importantly, a game plan for passing faith to the next generation must be sustainable. In order to be sustainable, it must be doable for the mothers and it must be appealing and engaging to both generations. While girls will sit and listen and relate, they also seek action. Learning by hearing is great. Learning by hearing and DOING is better. Both mothers and daughters should be looking forward to meeting and being together. One of our favorite questions has always been, “when are we having Relay Exchange again?” (Also a favorite, “why can’t we meet every week?!”).

+ RELATIONAL

Relay Exchange mothers lead girls to Jesus in the context of relationships—mothers and daughters, mothers linking arms, and girls cultivating lifelong friendships. Relay Exchange small groups are designed to be an avenue for mothers to support and be supported by other mothers of girls. The groups foster friendships between girls and create long term, often lifelong, friendships that are centered on a shared and growing faith. The skills and activities built into the curriculum create shoulder to shoulder opportunities for creating bonds that can only be formed in shared experiences. Groups talk a lot about how to handle life’s challenges, but even more, they tackle challenges together.