Raising Kids Who Love God

It has been said that seventy percent of youth stop going to church when they graduate from high school. You’ve read the Bible tell you to, "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6). But raising a godly child isn’t always as simple as that verse sounds. As a Christian mom, one of my greatest desires is to see my son LOVE GOD. And if I were to take a wild guess, it’s one of your biggest hopes too. You must be intentional, have patience, and deeply rely on the Lord. Today, I’d like to share with you some practical steps to hopefully help you guide your child on their spiritual walk.

Modeling is King

You’ve seen your child do something that is just exactly like their father or just exactly like their mother. I’ve seen my son do things, and I am like, “Oh no! He got that from me!” Your kid is often your mirror and they are incredibly perceptive and often learn more from what they see you do than what you teach them. As a parent, the most powerful thing you can do to instill godly values in your child is to live out an authentic, vibrant relationship with Christ yourself.

Here are a few things you can do:

• Let your child see you reading the Bible (with an actual Bible, not your phone)

• Set aside time for prayer

• Praising God in the good times and in the not-so-good times

• Standing firm in His goodness even though the situation at hand is far from easy

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 tell us, "These words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."

When you model a living faith, your young children will naturally follow your example. I’ve seen videos on social media of two-year-olds praying long prayers before a meal—you know they’ve observed this behavior and want to emulate it. Even academic studies confirm this principle. See, for example, this study, this study, and this study.

Make God's Word a Daily Thing

Getting my son excited about the Bible hasn’t always been easy, but I notice as I incorporate the Word of God into our daily routines, it’s just “what we do.” Deuteronomy 11:19 supports this idea when it says, “You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise." If you have a small child, sitting down for a good amount of time and reading the actual Bible may be a bit of a challenge, but you can read Bible storybooks like my rhyming children's Bible stories. Another idea is going through devotionals for kids (We have really enjoyed this one and also this one), or simply read directly from a children's Bible (We have enjoyed this one, this one, and this one). These times should not only be interactive, but a time for fun and connection. Let your child ask questions and share what’s on their mind. Here are few more ideas you can include:

Here are few more ideas you can include:

• Praying before meals

• Saying bedtime prayers

• Praying for specific situations your child faces, however small

These routines not only keep God at the center of your home, but you’re following the example of Jesus who "often withdrew to lonely places and prayed" (Luke 5:16). By making God's Word and prayer a natural part of your family's day, you'll be planting seeds of truth in their hearts from an early age. It’s never too late to start.

Teach Solid Doctrine

As a mom or a dad, having a firm grasp on biblical doctrine yourself is crucial, as Ephesians 4:14 warns: "so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes." So study the Word and listen to sound teaching so you're not passing on false beliefs to your child. When your child gets older and begins to come to you with questions and doubts, be prepared to engage in thoughtful discussions and provide biblical answers. We are told in 1 Peter 3:15 to “always [be] prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.” Don't be afraid to address other religions or worldviews. If you don’t, they will find their answers in other places—like their friends or on the Internet. Instead, prepare your child to "demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God" (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Let Them Have Questions and Doubts

As your child grows, don’t be alarmed by tough questions about other religions. I know my panic-mode turned on when my six-year-old son asked me, “Mom, why is our religion true and the Muslim religion is not.”  But it’s okay for them to ask questions and have doubts as they wrestle to understand the world around them—it can be a good thing if we respond correctly. Know that your role as a parent is to guide your child to the Lord, not force them to believe. We know that "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8). This grace is also extended to each person, and your child is no exception. It is their choice to receive the gift or not. As your child grows older, allow them to ask questions and let you know about their doubts without fear of you judging or rejecting them—or freaking out!  Relax and look at their questions as an opportunity for open dialogue and exploration of God's truth. It is not you, but the Holy Spirit who will draw your child to Himself in His perfect timing—rest in that. "No one can say, 'Jesus is Lord,' except by the Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 12:3).

Let Go and Let God

Yes, you are important in your child's spiritual development, but ultimately, their faith walk is between them and God.  Release any fear you may have of your children not following the Lord, and trust that as you faithfully plant the seeds, God will be faithful to water and grow them in His appointed time. For "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6). Don’t be legalistic or have a controlling mindset—more times than not, this can lead to rebellion. Rather, "bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4). When you feel your grip hanging on too tight, pray fervently for your child and have faith in God's sovereignty over their life, knowing that "the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective" (James 5:16).

You must have patience, perseverance, and a deep reliance on the Lord while raising a godly child. But as you model a living faith, make God's Word a daily part of your family's life, teach solid doctrine, allow questions and doubts, and release the outcome to God, you'll be creating the ideal environment for them to know God for themselves. Remember, you are not alone; the Lord is with you every step of the way, and He is faithful to complete the good work He has begun in your child.