Building faith at home and creating a Christ-centered child doesn’t have to be as overwhelming as you think. Helping our kids find faith, learn to pray, and to love Jesus is just the beginning. In an ever-increasing pessimistic world, here are proven ways to build your child’s faith in your home.
I didn’t know whether to laugh or send my son to timeout for what he did to his younger brother.
Do you ever have those times when your back is turned for a split second to help the baby, or maybe to take care of a few dishes that have been in the sink for longer than you’d like to admit, and for whatever reason, something always seems to happen?
That was my day.
A few nights ago, my husband and I taught our family the lesson on David and Goliath. Our children are still fairly young and we are always looking for ways to strengthen our toddler’s faith in Christ.
Well, as you could have imagined, one of our young boys decided to become David and unwillingly chose his younger brother to become Goliath.
A wrestle ensued and eventually “David” ended up throwing a few pillows at “Goliath” and sat on him in the middle of the floor.
5 Proven Ways To Build Your Child’s Faith In The Home
Trying to bring the stories of the scriptures to life is one of the ways our family is teaching our children about Jesus Christ and his gospel.
In an ever-increasing pessimistic world where religious freedoms are being attacked and traditional family values are no longer being upheld, it’s no wonder we often feel discouraged when trying to build our child’s faith in Christ.
But, I don’t want you to become discouraged and give up. This is the last thing I want because,
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear.” (1 John 4:18)
This scripture isn’t a matter of “how much do you love your children?” rather than a question of, “Do you love your child enough to believe that Christ will help you raise them up unto him?
What Kind Of A Foundation Are You Laying For Your Child?
I once made the mistake of believing that our children were going to naturally want to love Christ just like their father and I love the Lord.
I quickly learned that although younger kids have a beautiful gift to love those around them, they also have the attention span of a squirrel and the quick energy of a cat who is caught in the rain.
Unless you’re willing to invest time and energy into teaching your children, you can’t assume they will come to know Christ and love him because you do.
You have to be willing to introduce your children to him, teach them to love him, and above all, show them the joy of what it means to become a true disciple of Jesus Christ.
A study was recently done that focused on childhood religious upbringing and their adult faith.
“Those adults who say religion was very important to their family while growing up and whose parents frequently discussed religion are more likely than others to continue to identify with their parents’ religion as adults.” (You can read more of the study HERE).
The foundation you’re laying for your children in your home is everything to strengthening and building their faith in Christ.
Now, the last thing I want you to do is to feel overwhelmed because who needs more stress? Really.
One of the best things you can do to lay a solid foundation for your children is to begin and maintain righteous traditions in your home.
Begin & Maintain Righteous Traditions (Otherwise Known As Christ-Centered Habits)
What are righteous traditions? Here are some to consider (to name a few):
- Personal & Family Prayer
- Gospel Discussion
- Christ-Centered Family Traditions
- Giving Service
- Attending Church
and so much more.
I remember as a child the only time my parents sat us down on the couch in an attempt to have scripture reading as a family.
They had five kids with only seven years apart, so I don’t blame them for quickly becoming discouraged.
But I do remember how rowdy we were, the grey hairs sprouting on my mom’s head as she kept telling us to settle down, and I remember the peaceful feeling that permeated our home.
I often wonder if our family would have been different if my parents would have continued this habit of gathering us as a family and teaching us crazy kids.
Now I raise my own children and our nightly family scripture study feels like a circus on wheels.
And heaven knows that my children can sit still when reading a book or playing a game, but heaven help the ants in their pants when we start having a gospel-centered lesson.
But I don’t want you to give up though. I know there are times of discouragement and you often wonder if what you’re teaching is reaching their ears.
But this isn’t for you to worry over.
Christ is very much invested in your children as you are. If you’re willing to do the teaching, then he will come and help with the shepherding and strengthening.
And while we teach our children about Christ and his love, do we need to rethink our parenting style with our children?
We sure do.
We Need To Rethink Our Parenting Style When Disciplining and Teaching
If our goal is to bring our children to Christ and to help them build their faith at home, then we need to focus on this love for them. The same love that Christ has for them.
If you are looking to really reach into your child’s heart, are you doing so with an eye on Christ?
Are you telling them you love them one moment and screaming at them as if you two were attending a rock concert in your attempts to discipline them the next?
You will never reach your child’s heart or gain their trust if you have this disciplining double standard.
Just as much as you show them love during their good days, when they make mistakes (and they will), you need to readily display and discipline them in a Christ-like way.
God doesn’t make us feel guilty for our mistakes. Causing guilt is not in His nature.
We feel bad as a consequence to the choices we make and when we turn to God for the spiritual guidance and help we need, we then feel empowered to come back to Him.
“And I, Enos, knew that God could not lie; wherefore, my guilt was swept away.” (Enos 1:6)
Persistent guilt and low feelings of self-worth come from the adversary, who wants nothing more than to destroy our faith in Christ, the family unit, and to make all men miserable, like himself.
When we discipline our children, we need to correct them and do so in the love of Christ so they want to change, rather than having their hearts build up resentment towards us and the Lord.
Teach Them To Have A Love Affair With The Scriptures
Can you think of any other book you would rather have your child read than the scriptures?
Think about this for a moment, what happens when you read your favorite book? That ever-exciting-page-turning book you can’t put down?
You talk about this book all the time, you can’t get enough of it, and part of your heart is always drawn out to the characters and plotline of wanting to know what’s going to happen next.
This is the same love affair we need to create for our family and in our children.
If your children can see you have a love affair with the scriptures, then their hearts will be more inclined to opening up and accepting these same scriptures as well.
As a young child, there was a family rule that we were not to disrupt my dad when he was in his den. This was the time he usually spent doing the family finances or taking care of other family matters.
For whatever reason, I remember walking into the den and finding my dad with the Book of Mark open on his desk. He was reading, marking the scriptures and taking notes.
I caught him in his affair with the gospel.
I had similar experiences with my mom as well. She would often have her scriptures open on her bedside while kneeling in prayer. And I would catch her praying for her children.
My parents lived their faith quietly, and I’m grateful for their example, but today’s children need a faith that is ever present and loud. They need a faith that is uncompromising and unapologetic.
They need your faith to be this way as well.
Are you ready?
Teach Your Children The Future Is Going To Be An Exciting Time – There Is Hope For Their Future & Their Future Family
Whenever my children decide to become stubborn and shout their “No’s!” as most children do when they want to feel like they have control, I have learned this trick that quickly calms the situation.
Instead of shouting, “Don’t you say ‘no’ to me young lady/sir! I am your mother” speech, I will remind them, “I appreciate your ability to say ‘no.’ Keep this up and say no to alcohol and drugs. Say no when your friends want you to make poor choices, say no to immodesty and unchastity. And above all, defend Christ and use your persistent stubbornness for him.”
Usually, after this speech, my kids are left speechless and are reminded of their purpose in our home and family.
My husband and I are raising our children to become defenders of Christ, lovers of the gospel, and we are willing to “lay down our lives” and give our lives for the cause of our children and family.
In an ever-pessimistic and increasingly dark world, there is still hope to raise our children to be defenders of Christ and his gospel.
This hope, our joy has to begin at home.
When we think of the miracles Christ performed through his lifetime and the commission he gives to parents today, we often become lost in the grandeur of the entire eternal picture.
But even he, the Son of God, began as a babe and grew in his faith, taught by his mother Mary and her husband, Joseph.
We have a duty to teach our children and establish patterns of faith in their lives.
Because if we don’t, who will?
How do you teach your children faith in Christ? Be sure to share it with us in the comments below.
Micah Klug is a wife, homeschooling mother to five children, and author. She teaches time-tested solutions to help parents remember what matters most in life, including strengthening their home, faith, and family relationships. To learn how a child who grew up in an authoritarian home is now creating an environment of peace and joy in her own home visit this page. If you want to contact Micah, send her an email here or email [email protected].
I’m glad you mentioned having righteous traditions, like a prayer with your family. My wife and I are wanting to have our kids in our church and be excited about it. I’ll be sure to remember these tips and help them as a youth.
I’m glad you found these tips helpful, Taylor. It’s often the little things that make the biggest difference in our family life.