Every year when we begin a new year of ministry in the fall, I see a ton of new faces and am privileged to talk to a few families about what will be happening in the life of their child in the next few years. Here are some practical ways to have the best opportunity to see your child’s faith grow in the coming year.
1. Model Faith
Everything that you want your child to have in their connection with God, make sure you have that same thing. Read the Bible, spend time in prayer, be connected in some kind of group, serve, give, and show your family that faith is something that is the foundation for your life not just a corollary item on the list.
2. Attend Church Consistently
Consistent church attendance gives your child a chance to develop relationships that won’t be developed if they only come for a week.
I think of my parents and how they modeled commitment. You wouldn’t think of letting your kids miss football practice or soccer or gymnastics, because that’s how they improve and get better. Why is it any different with church and faith?
If your kid said no to school, what would your response be?
3. Get Them Connected
Find friends that go to your child’s school. Volunteer in the ministry they are involved in. Bring them to everything. Relationships are a key to understanding and growing in faith. We all need relationships with others that help us grow in our faith. Your kids do as well. Show up at a service and watch your child interact with others.
4. Create Faith Traditions
For whatever reason, Christians in the West aren’t very good at this. I highly recommend finding a rhythm that will help create faith conversations at your home.
Here’s a few great ones:
-Prayer for dinner
-Serve the community together
-Read a devotional together
-Pick a family verse for the month
-Invite people who don’t know Christ over for dinner and love on them
5. Be Vulnerable
How much of your “story” do your children know? Are there things about you that they don’t have a clue? Share your failures and successes openly. That conversation that you dread the most, is probably the one that is the most important to have.
