A guide for Christian parents.
Christian parents want their children to grow in faith, and children need a faith they can grow into. While Jesus is the One who instills and informs your child’s faith, you have the privilege of partnering with Him. So, what’s your part in the process? Here are seven practical ways to cultivate your child’s faith:
Take the first step from where you are now.
Recognize your limitations and assess what you can and can’t do to cultivate your child’s faith. Don’t overreach. Find Jesus in the ebb and flow of daily living. Take baby steps. Start with faith-forming activities that give your family joy.
Think less, not more.
Following Jesus isn’t doing more; it’s doing less. Faith needs room to grow. Left unchecked, online gaming, social media, and the like are all-consuming. Busyness is a death blow. Help your children remove unnecessary things that crowd their lives.
Do it together.
Like many things, faith grows best in the context of community. Children should never follow Jesus alone. They need mentors of all ages to help them stay on point—rope in Christian grandparents, uncles, and aunts. Connect with every age group in the congregation as faith guides.
Create a frame of reference.
Children need both Bible stories and theology. Without the stories, children won’t know how to engage with or respond to the world. Without theology grounded in Christ and Scripture, children risk distorting the truth and not applying it as God intended.
Set an example.
Children look to their parents for examples of living a life of faith. The more compelling and transformative following Jesus becomes and the more your life evidences the fruit of the Spirit, the more likely your children will be drawn to follow Him.
Foster a big faith in a big God.
Don’t try to explain everything. Give answers that create wonder. Encourage children to use their sanctified imagination. Ask questions that help them wrestle with Scripture. Engage children in theological discussions. Don’t oversimplify the truth or make it more user-friendly.
Stick with it.
Faith formation takes time. Be patient. Spiritual growth is usually slow and subtle, and quick results are unlikely. Sometimes, children regress before they progress. Don’t stop trying. Faith formation requires reiteration. So, restate, redo, repeat!
Cultivating your child’s faith is a lifelong process. Work at it and enjoy it, even when it’s daily uninspiring work. While it requires discipline, diligence, and determination, never forget to completely and consistently depend on Jesus.
How do you cultivate your child’s faith? Share your tips in the comments below!
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Summary
This article highlights seven practical ways for parents to partner with Christ in their children’s spiritual journey. Suggestions include starting small, fostering faith through community, and emphasizing Bible stories alongside theology to create a balanced frame of reference. Parents are reminded that their example matters greatly, as children learn by observing lives that reflect Christ’s transformative power. The article also encourages families to embrace patience, recognizing that faith formation for kids takes time and persistence. By fostering a sense of wonder and encouraging theological discussions, parents can nurture a big faith in a big God without oversimplifying complex truths. For those searching “how to teach children about God” or “cultivating faith in children,” this guide offers actionable advice to help children grow in their faith.
© Scripture Union, 2025
Soli Deo Gloria
