How to Teach Children About God

Pass on your faith to your kids by being a godly example

Family Reading the Bible Together
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A parent's example is often the single-most important factor in leading a child to pursue a relationship with Jesus Christ. Without applying pressure, parents who demonstrate godly living and genuine transformation can make a child want to know more about God, read the Bible, attend church, and eventually ask Jesus Christ to be their Savior. Use this guide as a simple, practical starting place for learning how to teach your children about God.

How to Raise Kids God's Way

If you're a parent you've probably asked this question: Where is the instruction manual for raising kids? Shouldn't the hospital give you one just before leaving with your new baby?

Unfortunately, there isn't one. But, raising a child is such an important, seriously sobering task, it should at least come with a handbook, don't you think? What do you suppose this instruction manual would look like? It ought to contain categories like, "How to Stop the Whining," and "How to Get Your Kids to Listen When You Talk."

Christian parents face just as many obstacles as non-Christians in raising kids. When you add all the distractions and pressures in today's world, Christian parenting becomes even more of a challenge.

A big part of the challenge is figuring out how to teach your children about God when their priorities are more focused on video games, sporting events, and the latest clothing trends. And let's not forget to mention peer pressure and media influences that offer temptations to try drugs, drink alcohol, and experiment sexually.

Today's kids are confronted with a shortage of godly examples in a society that is moving toward "freedom from religion" instead of "freedom of religion." But here's the good news: There are things you can do to teach your children about God as you share your faith with them along the way.

Live Your Faith

First, as a parent, you must live out your faith in your own life. It is impossible to give away something you don't have. Kids can spot a phony from a mile away. They're looking for the real deal from their parents.

Living your faith starts with simple things, like showing love, kindness, and generosity. If your kids see you blessing others, it will become a natural way of life for them.

Share Your Faith

Second, start sharing your faith early in the lives of your kids. Taking part in a Christian church shows your children that spending time with God and other believers is important. Sharing your faith also means reading the Bible with your children in a way that causes it to come alive for them. Find age-appropriate Bible resources and lessons to incorporate into your family-fun times, as well as your child's education. Make family devotions and Bible reading a priority in your weekly schedule.

Also, incorporate Christian entertainment into your child's life. Instead of feeling deprived of fun, let them discover and enjoy quality, inspiring forms of amusement that will also encourage them to develop spiritually.

Another great way to teach your children about God is to allow them the opportunity to make and develop Christian friendships. Their faith will be strengthened if they can share the same values with their friends. And make sure your church offers a children's program and youth group that your kids will want to be involved in.

What's In It For Them?

Lastly, show your kids what's in it for them. Often people are brought up to believe that faith is an obligation to fulfill by attending church on Sunday. But a relationship with Jesus carries abundant rewards. Here are some great payouts to share with your kids:

  • When you give your life to Christ, you secure your place in heaven. What child doesn't like receiving a gift? When God enters your life, you receive unconditional love and acceptance. Isn't this our greatest need? To know we are loved and accepted just as we are with no strings attached?
  • Being a Christian means experiencing freedom. As you develop a relationship with Christ, you grow free from worry, anxiety, addictions, and so many other problems that seem to plague young people. When we do things God's way, we receive the benefits of that relationship.
  • Receiving God's favor is like unwrapping a gift every day. God's favor is an amazing blessing that makes people want to do what's right. And God rewards our obedience with blessings.

Of course, it wouldn't be fair to tell your kids about the payouts and not tell them about the responsibilities that come with following Christ. Here are some of those:

  • Putting God first. This means making a commitment to seek God, which isn't always an easy concept for kids. Many things compete for first place in a young person's life. But parents can help their children understand that God wants what's best for them. He wants them to be happy and successful even more than they do.
  • Finding ways to be a blessing. Most people are self-centered, including children. Learning to bless others takes the focus off of self and onto someone else. You teach this best by living it. Include your children in the process of blessing others whenever you can. You'll be amazed at how good your kids will feel about themselves.
  • Doing the right thing on purpose. This means treating people with kindness, respect, and patience, even those who are hard to love. Right behavior is Christianity in action.

Sharing your faith with your children doesn't have to be complicated. Start by living it in your own life so your kids can see it in action. Demonstrate your commitment to Christ and the value you place in an ongoing relationship with God by finding ways to be a blessing. Kids learn best by example and modeling your faith is the best example they will ever see.

Karen Wolff contributed to this article.

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Fairchild, Mary. "How to Teach Children About God." Learn Religions, Mar. 4, 2021, learnreligions.com/raising-kids-gods-way-701207. Fairchild, Mary. (2021, March 4). How to Teach Children About God. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/raising-kids-gods-way-701207 Fairchild, Mary. "How to Teach Children About God." Learn Religions. https://www.learnreligions.com/raising-kids-gods-way-701207 (accessed March 28, 2024).