Passing on Our Faith to Our Children

There is likely no stronger desire for a Christian parent than the desire to pass on his/her faith. However, there is probably also no job more challenging in today’s world. I recently came across some tips on ways in which we can pass on our faith to our children. Although instinctively, I felt as if I had probably known these things, I still found it incredibly helpful to be reminded of them.

First, we pass on our faith by principle. The Word of God should directly impact our thoughts and actions on a daily basis. Incorporating the Word of God into conversations as much as possible with our children is also fruitful:

“Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 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. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:5-9 (NIV)

Second, we pass on our faith by pattern. I’ve certainly seen firsthand that children often learn more by watching what we do than by listening to what we say. So, it’s critical that they see us keeping God front and center by living out biblical principles. We can do this in everyday life by acknowledging His involvement in and control over our lives, by thanking Him when our needs have been met and by praying for others we encounter who may be ill or in some sort of trouble. When they see us living out our faith by praying to, praising and worshiping God everyday, not just at church on Sundays, it sets a powerful example to our children. Of course, none of us will be perfect examples to our children, but striving to provide the best possible illustration of God’s love for them will undoubtedly have a profound affect on them. When they see us turn to Him for help in everyday situations that arise, it teaches them to do the same. It shows them that God’s truths apply to everyday situations.

Third, we pass on our faith by persistence-by doing what is necessary, even if it’s not convenient or easy. This might mean giving up time or money to help others in need, even when we don’t have an abundance of those things ourselves. When we live out God’s principles in front of our children on a daily basis, we help to foster an everyday faith in them as well. By doing so, we enable them to form strong spiritual foundations upon which they will build for the rest of their lives.

“Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them, I will show you whom he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when a flood occurred, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.” Luke 6:47-48 NIV

References:

Schlauch, K. (2016, January 12). Christian Parenting Tips: Fostering an Everyday Faith in Your Child. [Blog post]. Retrieved from: http://www.libertychristianschoolmd.com/blog/topic/christian-parenting

Rider, T. (2015, November 15). Passing on Our Faith. [Blog post]. Retrieved from: http://www.fbalions.org/about-fba/blog.cfm?threadid=7382