At the church where I serve, our most active families with kids are in worship 2 to 3 times a month. Let’s say that’s about 1.5 hours a week between worship and fellowship. Now if we do the math (mumble, mumble, carry the one), this is anywhere from 36 to 51 hours a year. These are numbers I think about every year, not out of judgment but out of a sobering truth that the hours a kid is in church pales compared to the hours they have at home.     

I celebrate ten years in ministry this year, and each year of my work has included children and family ministry in some capacity. I have done some really fun and meaningful things in my time planning Sunday school lessons, Vacation Bible School and mission trips. One of the most important things I have learned over the years is that investing in a child's faith is a shared responsibility between the church and the family. 

While Sunday worship and age-specific programming are essential, more is needed to build a robust and sustainable faith foundation for children. While your church staff and volunteers only have a few dozen hours over the year, the parental figure in their life has thousands. It’s the everyday moments, conversations, and practices that grow and engage a child’s faith, and these happen outside the church. I want to share some practical tips and mindsets that parents and caregivers can adopt to engage their children's faith outside Sunday worship.

Be Willing to Share Your Own Faith

One of the most potent ways to engage children's faith is by sharing your own. Telling kids what to do and how to live without giving context and reasons isn’t all that fruitful. Kids are smart, and they can sniff out inauthenticity. So, instead of justifying faith practices by saying, "That's just what we do," or "That's what God wants us to do," share your experience with God. Tell your kids what it's like to have a relationship with God, how God has helped you through tough times, or how you have grown in faith over the years. Be honest about your struggles, doubts, and questions. Sharing your faith story is not to coerce your children to believe but to be a witness to how God is at work in your life.

Find Your Support and Resources

Helping kids build a strong foundation of faith requires a community. Find other families of faith and communities of faith that can speak into your children's lives and be a witness to God's ministry. Surround yourself with people interested in sharing their faith with kids, practice their faith daily, and can be a sounding board of support for your family. Connect with other parents in your Church and join small groups or Bible studies. Attend family retreats or parenting workshops. Use digital resources like podcasts, blogs, or devotionals that cater to families. Reach out to your church. When you aren’t sure about something you experienced in worship, read in scripture, or are looking for helpful resources; they should and can show up for you. 

Practice What You Preach and Lead by Example

Actions speak louder than words. Demonstrate the important things. If you believe it’s important for your children to participate in your church community, show them its value in your life. Parents and guardians are the primary faith influencers in a child’s life. Children watch and learn from their trusted adults, even when we don't realize it. In the most beautiful and messy way, they absorb every word and deed you put out there. This means leading by example is a must. Make a list of essential parts of your faith, like; attending church regularly, serving others, giving thanks to God, and being gracious to yourself and others. Being intentional about your faith practices gives your kids an opportunity to learn from someone they love and trust.

Reinforce Faith through Everyday Practices

Once you’ve made your list, then you can start thinking about how this shows up in your life and where to invite your kids to be a part. Parents can reinforce faith by incorporating simple and intentional practices into their daily routines. Here are some examples:

• Memorization: Memorize Bible verses or passages as a family. Post them on the fridge or in your child's room as a reminder.

• Meals: Pray before meals and have gratitude for the food, the people who prepared it, and the blessings in your life. Use mealtime to have meaningful conversations about faith, values, and life.

• Bedtime Prayers: Make bedtime prayers a part of your nightly routine. Pray for your children, family, and others who need God's love and grace. Encourage your children to pray for their intentions and share what's on their hearts.

• Serve and give back to the community: Regularly volunteer at a local food bank, serve at your Church, or even help a neighbor in need. By serving others, your child will learn the value of giving back and seeing the world through a faith-based lens.

• Reflect on your experience in worship: What happens in a worship service varies from church to church. No matter the structure, there are plenty of things to talk about. Are you in a particular season in the church (like lent)? What does that mean? Do you say specific prayers or creeds? You can talk about the music, the sermon, the scripture, communion, and so much more. This can be a simple way to engage in conversion with your children. You get an opportunity to encourage curiosity, teach and share.

Emphasize the "Why"

Emphasizing the "why" is an essential aspect of engaging children's faith outside of Sunday worship. When children understand the reasons behind certain practices or beliefs, they are more likely to develop a deeper connection to their faith and feel more invested in their spiritual journey. Another way to emphasize the "why" is to encourage children to ask questions about their faith. Parents and caregivers can create an open, supportive environment where children feel comfortable asking questions and exploring their beliefs. When children ask questions, it allows them to delve deeper into the reasons behind certain beliefs and practices, which can help reinforce their faith. 

Pray through it all

Don't forget to pray. Invite God into your parenting Journey.  You can ask for God's guidance and the Holy Spirit to be present as you grow and your child grows in their faith. In this journey, it's important to remember that not only are parents and caregivers, the church, and your faith community working in tandem to encourage a child in the relationship with God, but the Holy Spirit is in the midst of every layer and every piece. Intentionally praying over your child and their faith is holding a posture of openness to the spirit's wisdom and direction. 

Remember that at no point are we doing this work alone. God is present through it all; you’ve got your community, your church, and your faith leaders, and you’ve got me! Together we will do what we can to help love, support, and nurture our kids. So that they may come to know and love a God that loves them so dearly.