7 Beautiful ways to help your child build their faith
Finding ways to help your child build their faith is an essential tool in the toolbox of any parent. Chances are, as a mom or dad, you may have wanted to know how to nurture your little one’s spiritual growth in a world that seems to push faith off to the curb. You are not alone on this journey, and there is so much you can do practically to help your child build a strong and lasting faith.
Picture faith as a garden. Just as a garden requires sunlight, water, and care to grow strong, so does your child’s faith, if it is to develop strong roots. Here are seven effective ways of tending to your child’s faith garden. We will consider how to create a home environment that is fertile for the development of your child’s faith through family devotions, encouraging questions, and serving others together, among others.
Has the task of shaping your child’s spiritual life ever overwhelmed you? Take a deep breath-we’ve got you covered. The strategies here are approachable and doable wherever you may be on your journey of faith. So let’s roll up our sleeves and get ready to plant those seeds that bloom for years to come!
1. Lead by Example
You’ve heard the saying: “Actions speak louder than words.” It is never more true than when it comes to helping your child build a relationship with God. One morning, I was praying and thought I was all alone; Noa, then about five, wandered into the room and exclaimed with surprise, “Mommy, who are you talking to?” That became a beautiful conversation starter about God.
The most powerful thing you can do to help your child build their faith is by leading by example. Not that you have to be perfect โ trust me, I am not! Let your kids see your faith in action. Let them see you go to prayer when times get tough, to thank Him for blessings, or to make a choice based on your belief. It makes a huge impression.
Try incorporating your kids into religious activities in your life. Let them catch you reading the Bible, invite them onto their knees with you to pray, or talk to them about how your faith helped you in making decisions. Remember Deuteronomy 6:6-7: “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
2. Make Your Home a Faith-Friendly Zone
Think of your home as the greenhouse for faith. Like plants, it does well in an enabling atmosphere. The creation of a home-friendly faith does not imply that one has to plaster Bible verses on every available wall and space, but that is not a bad idea if that is your style. It involves weaving faith into the fabric of everyday living.
One thing we have done in our home to make this happen is build a special prayer corner. Nothing fancy at all-just a small nook with some pillows, a children’s Bible, and a box in which we place prayer requests. The kids seem to really enjoy adding to it and marking off answered prayers. It has become kind of a tangible reminder of God’s presence in our home.
Another strong tool is music. Playing faith-based songs while the children are doing chores or riding in the car not only lifts their spirits but it also encourages faith discussions. Last but not least, do not underestimate faith-based artwork and faith-based symbols placed in your home. They are great for initiating discussions and reminding your family of the values they have decided on.
Remember, the objective is to make faith naturally part of your home life. As you consider ways to help your child build his or her faith, keep in mind how you can interweave it into your everyday patterns. In Proverbs 22:6, we read, “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”
3. Do Regular Family Devotions
Now, I know what you might be thinking-family devotions sound great in theory, but how do you actually make them happen with busy schedules and short attention spans? Trust me, I’ve been there! But let me tell you, with a little creativity and persistence, it can become a real treasured family tradition.
We began small in our house, just five minutes before bedtime reading a small Bible story and saying a quick prayer. As the kids grew, so did our devotion time. Now, it truly is one of the many highlights of our day. We take turns choosing Bible passages, discussing what they mean to us, and we even act some of the stories out on occasion-you should see our reenactment of David and Goliath, hilarious!.
The key is to make it fun and relevant. Using Bible study materials prepared for their age group, asking open-ended questions, and relating the teachings to everyday life are excellent ways to achieve this. And don’t be afraid to have fun with it! Some of the best discussions come out of “Bible charades” or creating art over Scripture.
Remember, it is the consistency that counts, not perfection. It is one of the most successful ways to help your child in building his faith. As it says in Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” In this consistent engagement of the family with the Word of God, you are giving your children the guiding light to walk their path of faith.
4. Affirm Questions and Doubts
Let’s face it: kids are natural-born questioners. And when it comes to matters of faith, sometimes those questions feel overwhelming. Here’s the thing: questions aren’t the enemy of faith. Often, they’re the pathway to deeper understanding.
I will never forget the day my daughter Emma came home from school, furrows deep in her brow. “Mom, my friend says God isn’t real because we can’t see Him. How do I know He exists?” My heart skipped a beat, but then I remembered-this was an opportunity, not a crisis.
We sat and had a beautiful conversation about faith, evidence, and the many things we believe in without seeing, such as love or the wind. I shared some experiences about God in my life, and together we looked up some verses in the Bible. It was about not having all the answers but exploring it together.
Building a non-judgmental zone to accommodate questions and doubts is paramount in considering how to help your child in building faith. That reassures him that faith can be kicked around and it’s okay to grapple with the big ideas. Encourage curiosity, validate their feelings, and be honest about your journey.
Remember 1 Peter 3:15, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” You are creating an open-discussion atmosphere, which prepares your kids to have a faith of their own.
5. Serve Others Together
There’s just something rather magical in what happens when we step outside of ourselves to serve others. It’s almost as if a window opens, allowing in fresh air and new perspectives. And when it comes to building one’s faith, wellservice is like Miracle-Gro for the soul.
I recall taking our children for the first time to serve at the local soup kitchen. Ten-year-old Jake clung to my side, hardly wanting to be there at all. Fast-forward a few hours later, and he’s chatting away with guests like old friends, this huge grin on his face. Driving home, he said, “Mom, I think I saw Jesus today-in the people we served.”
Probably the most impactful of all ways to help your child build their faith is finding age-appropriate ways to serve as a family. It can be as simple as baking cookies for a new neighbor, gathering canned goods for a food drive, or participating in a community clean-up day. The key is connecting these acts of service with the teachings of Jesus himself.
Explain why you’re serving and how it represents God’s love. Utilize Matthew 25:40, where Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Take the opportunity to explain to your kids how this can be a real expression of their faith.
6. Instill a Sense of Wonder
In our fast-paced, screen-filled world, it’s pretty easy to lose touch with the awe-inspiring beauty of God’s creation. But reconnecting with that sense of wonder can be a powerful way to nurture faith in our children-and ourselves!
Well, last summer, we decided to camp out in the backyard. As we lay there, looking up toward the star-filled sky, my youngest, Lily, said, “Wow, God must have really big hands to put all those stars up there.” It was a harmless observation, but it led into a beautiful conversation about the greatness of God’s power and the intricacy of His creation.
One of the most joyful ways to help your child build their faith is to cultivate in them a sense of wonder. It can be as simple as going on nature walks and marveling at the changing seasons, or it can be as grand as visiting natural wonders on family vacations. The idea is to help your children begin to see God’s fingerprints in the world around them.
Encourage them to question what they observe. Join them in the excitement of their new discoveries. Use these moments to point back to the Creator. As Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” By instilling in your children a feeling of awe and gratitude for God’s creation, you’re helping your children develop a deeper appreciation for the Divine.
7. Connect to a Faith Community
You’ve heard the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child,” right? Well, I believe it takes a faith community to raise children spiritually. Being part of a bigger circle of believers will bring support, accountability, and different perspectives to your family’s walk in faith.
The way people rallied around us, with prayers, meals, and practical help, spoke volumes to the kids on what it means to be part of the body of Christ.
Another big part of finding ways to help your child build their faith is in finding a faith community that feels right. Find a place where your children feel wanted and appreciated, where they can make friends with others and find mentors who share their values. It could be a conventional church, a home church group, or even a faith-based club or organization.
Encourage your children in appropriate out-of-the-home activities that engage them with others in the exercise of their faith. Sunday school, youth groups, and service projects are only a few of the opportunities. As Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.”
Keep in mind, it does not have to be some sort of Robinson Crusoe faith journey with your family. As you open up toward the larger faith community, so you give them a supportive, inspiring environment that will go with them long after their childhood years.
Conclusion
Think back to our garden analogy. Just as a garden doesn’t bloom overnight, your child’s faith will grow gradually with your consistent care and attention. There may be seasons of rapid growth and seasons that seem quiet, but trust that the seeds you’re planting now will bear fruit in time.
So, dear parent, take heart and be encouraged. You have the power to make a lasting impact on your child’s spiritual life. Start small, be patient, and most importantly, keep nurturing that precious faith garden. Your efforts today are shaping a future filled with hope, purpose, and a deep connection to something greater than ourselves. Here’s to raising children whose faith will move mountains!
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