Is faith-nurturing parenting essential? According to the 2022 findings of the Arbor Research Group, less than two-thirds of parents identifying as Christians say it’s essential for their family to connect with a faith community.
The research also revealed that most parents identifying as Christians place a higher value on their children’s mental health, access to opportunities and character development than their children’s faith development.
So, where does this leave us? Should parents who identify as Christians be more concerned about nurturing their children’s faith than their children’s nutrition, getting enough sleep, the influence of peers, or the responsible use of technology? Not in the view of most parents. The widely held view is that children’s faith formation, while significant, is less important than physical, emotional and relational priorities. According to the Orange/Parent Cue Report, parents who identify as Christians “consistently prioritize the same parenting values in almost every area” as secular parents.
Biblical view.
God elevates faith formation over everything else. Parents, according to the Scriptures (cf. Deuteronomy 6:1-9, Psalm 78:1-8), should make faith formation the centrepiece of family life.
Faith formation should be the centrepiece of family life. Share on XThere’s nowhere in the Scriptures where developing children’s life skills, focusing on their career opportunities, or improving their security is more important than fostering their relationship with and understanding of Jesus and His Word (cf. Deuteronomy 5:7, Matthew 6:33, Matthew 22:37).
Reevaluating priorities.
One in twenty Christian families pray and read the Bible together daily. Does this statistic bother, bewilder, or bore you?
A parent may identify as a Christian, but it’s not Christian parenting if the parent’s primary focus isn’t creating and maintaining family faith formation. Our beliefs and actions are at the heart of who we are. Christian parents, as distinct from those who may identify as Christian, prioritize biblical beliefs, morals and behaviour in the home over all other things.
Parents should set the tone for the spiritual environment in the home. Share on XCreating a family faith-nurturing culture should never be an afterthought. In other words, our children’s faith formation should never be an add-on, never reduced to a Sunday activity, and never restricted to bedtime prayers. Parents should set the tone for the spiritual environment in the home. So take up the challenge. Because it’s not Christian parenting if you’re not talking about God with your children wherever you are, with whomever you’re with, with whatever you’re doing, at any time of the day or night (cf. Deuteronomy 6:7).
Application.
Christian parenting can’t be stitched together with an amalgamation of different philosophies or practices. Adopting or favouring secular values is syncretism. Christian parents must stop tuning into popular parenting advice and listening to the voice of culture. We should only listen to One voice. Christian parenting is consistently God first and foremost.
We should weave children’s faith formation into the patterns, habits and rhythms of ordinary everyday life. Faith-nurturing parenting is a 24/7 pursuit. It starts with tapping into the Scriptures, obeying God’s Word, and prayerfully looking to Him for guidance and strength. There’s no retiring from doing this; connecting our children and their children with Jesus and His Story is a lifelong calling.
It’s incumbent on parents, relying on God’s grace and provision, to initiate and maintain an emphasis on children’s faith formation. Share on XWhere faith is seeded, gardeners are needed. If God’s plan is for Christian parents to tell and teach their children about His works and wonders (cf. Psalm 78:1-8), then it’s incumbent on parents, relying on God’s grace and provision, to initiate and maintain an emphasis on children’s faith formation. This requires constant attention to how time is used, the selection of activities, and what’s discussed.
All parents need strategies or techniques to improve communications, clarify expectations, resolve conflicts, handle discipline, exercise supervision, and provide for their children’s basic needs – to name just a few. These things require our attention, but if they were all we needed, Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection would be unnecessary or superfluous.
Christian parenting is achieving God’s outcomes for your children Share on XThe values of Christian parents must be submitted to, informed by, and subject to God’s expectations. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” Proverbs 3:5. Christian parenting is achieving God’s outcomes for your children. It’s inclining your heart to Jesus and, in so doing, knowing that you’re in the hands of the One who alone can commence, empower and preserve your children’s faith.
Implication.
Placing God first in your family should be your daily goal, your primary parenting pursuit amid all other pursuits. Why? Because, among many reasons, if you don’t value faith-nurturing parenting over every other value, in the end, your child will value what you’ve chosen instead.
Do you have some thoughts about faith-nurturing parenting? Please share in the comments.
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Summary
The 2022 Arbor Research Group findings reveal that fewer than two-thirds of Christian parents prioritize faith formation for their children, focusing instead on mental health, opportunities, and character development. However, the Biblical perspective emphasizes that nurturing faith should be the cornerstone of Christian parenting, as outlined in passages such as Deuteronomy 6:1-9 and Psalm 78:1-8. Parents are encouraged to integrate faith into daily life, making it central to family culture and ensuring that spiritual development takes precedence over other values. Christian parenting, therefore, is not just about managing day-to-day needs but guiding children toward a lifelong relationship with God.
© Scripture Union, 2023
11 Responses
So true! Thanks for sharing. My biggest learning: I can give, what I don’t have. I first need to nurture my faith in Christ (have a true deep relationship) for me to be able to guide and nurture my kids on the same journey.
“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” (Deuteronomy 6:7). Such a great reminder of how the Scriptures speak to the importance of Biblical integration and teachable moments in our everyday activities.
Appreciate the podcast, they are so fun and inviting to listen and cary such truth.
Love the work you guys are doing, keep it up!!
This is a great resource for parents, highly recommend it!
Thank you – great post.
A really important post – much food for thought.
Very important discussion! Thanks! As a parent of a child with special needs it has not been as straightforward or simple process as it was in my head before I was a parent! Sometimes discipling seems to be in very very tiny steps (with many backward stumbles). I like hearing the stories of parental heroic failures too … it helps us as we fumble and falter along …
Thank you. We need churches to start with the families in their churches, to help parents know HOW to disciple their children in the home. This is the way the family can be serving God and being part of accomplishing the Great Commission. You write and provide a lot to help children’s workers and parents. Thank you.
Thank you! “Placing God first in your family should be your daily goal, your primary parenting pursuit amid all other pursuits.” We need Christ to be the centre of everything in our homes, including ordinary and everyday activities with our children.
You are putting this subject in the agenda of families. We need to hear about this and also to keep remembering how important is to have Godly parenting tips.
Thanks friends…keep doing the good work:)
Right on. Really appreciate the intentionality of raising up once again the primary role of parents in faith formation with our kids. Our church families need this teaching to take root and flourish in our day. Thank you for these terrific reminders. Lead on, Lord.