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How Can I Help My Kids Grow Closer to God?

Raising children in today’s fast-paced, digitally driven world can be overwhelming. Especially when you’re trying to instill deep, lasting spiritual values.

As a parent, you likely wonder how to nurture your child’s relationship with God amid the noise of social media, peer pressure, and a culture that often questions faith.

The good news? You’re not alone, and there are proven, biblical ways to lead your children toward a vibrant, personal connection with their Creator.

So let’s explore practical, Bible-based strategies that you can implement in everyday life—no theological degree needed.

We’ll walk through:

Let’s discover together how God can use you to spark a lifelong faith in your child’s heart.

Your example speaks louder than your instructions

A diligent motherwalking to church with her daughter as part of her efforts to set clear example.

Image by Fabio from Pixabay

Children don’t just learn by listening. They watch. And they notice more than you might think.

Recent research reinforces what many Christian parents already believe in their hearts: your spiritual habits have a profound impact on your child’s faith journey.

A 2024 study by Zammit and Taylor found that parental religiosity is positively associated with children’s own religiosity during early childhood, highlighting the significant role parents play in shaping their children’s spiritual identity.1 Simply put, when you live out your faith, your child is more likely to believe that God exists and grow up trusting Him.

Your day-to-day actions tell your child more about faith than a hundred Sabbath school lessons ever could. Whether you’re a Christian mother praying at the kitchen sink or before starting the car, or a father who chooses honesty in tough business decisions, your behavior either affirms or contradicts what you say about God.

In a world where many people deny God’s existence, your personal walk with Christ can be a powerful testimony. When kids see that trusting God shapes how you love, forgive, serve, and make decisions, they begin to see that faith is real and relevant.

But being a godly example alone isn’t everything. Your children also need structured spiritual guidance that they can grow into and own for themselves (Deuteronomy 6:6, 7).

Make Bible study and prayer a natural part of family life

Faith flourishes in consistency.

Making time for reading the Bible and praying as a family—even in short, simple ways—lays a foundation that shapes your child’s eternity. Don’t worry if you feel unequipped. You don’t need to be a pastor or theologian to teach kids how to trust, love, and understand God.

Start with a children’s Bible and take turns reading a verse or two. Ask open-ended questions like “What do you think God is saying to us here?” or “What would Jesus do in this situation?” And never underestimate the power of a Christian parent praying out loud. It’s one of the most intimate ways to invite your children into the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Now that your family has a rhythm for spiritual connection, how can you make learning about faith something your children look forward to?

Make learning about God fun and engaging

Let’s be honest, children don’t always understand deep theological concepts, and that’s okay.

There are fun and age-appropriate ways to help children understand who God is and how to live a Christ-centered life.

Use role play, Bible story animations, scripture memory games, or even journaling sessions with older kids. Make it interactive. Ask your children questions about what they believe, even if you suspect the answers aren’t what you’d hope to hear. If your child says, “I don’t believe in God,” don’t panic. Instead, respond with love and curiosity with questions such as, “Can you tell me why?”

This creates a safe space for discussion and helps them process doubts with truth and grace.

Even with the best intentions, many Christian parents fall into subtle traps that can unintentionally hinder their children’s faith journey. Let’s explore those next.

Avoid common parenting pitfalls—and lead with grace

One of the biggest mistakes Christian parents make is equating spiritual maturity with religious activity.

Going to church, memorising Scripture, or saying a bedtime prayer doesn’t automatically mean a child knows or trusts God. True faith is relational, not just ritual.

Another pitfall?

Shaming (even unintentionally) children when they have questions or when their behaviour doesn’t align with your expectations. Jesus welcomed questions—even from those who didn’t understand, or from those who had ulterior motives. He often answered with a story or a question of His own.

Rather than being shocked or frustrated when your child expresses doubt or misbehaves, use these moments to model God’s unconditional love and guide them toward a more profound understanding.

But how do we equip our kids to carry this faith beyond family devotions and church walls?

Help your children apply faith in everyday life

Faith must move from the pages of the Bible to the playground, classroom, and digital world your children navigate daily.

Show them what it looks like to trust God when they’re anxious about exams, friendships, or their future. Share stories from your own life about how God helped you in real situations.

Encourage your children to pray about their problems, even the “small” ones. Teach them that the Holy Spirit is still active today and cares about every detail of their lives. Whether it’s sharing their lunch with a classmate or standing up for the truth when everyone else is silent, these moments build a faith that’s personal and powerful (Ephesians 6:4).

And most importantly, remind them that God exists not because we feel Him every day, but because His Word is true, His promises are sure, and His love never fails.

Keep planting seeds—God will bring the growth

Helping your kids grow closer to God isn’t about perfection. It’s about planting seeds of faith daily and trusting God with the harvest. Whether you’re dealing with children who deny God’s existence or simply trying to deepen their trust in Him, your role is critical and deeply spiritual.

Remember: your child’s future and eternity are worth every effort, every prayer, and every moment of grace you extend. Keep modelling, teaching, praying, and loving; and trust that God is doing a work in their hearts that you may not always see, but can always believe in.

Want to keep growing as a faith-filled parent?

Visit our Family section on the HFA website to find more practical, Bible-based parenting insights that can guide you as you raise spiritually grounded children.

Here are three helpful articles to start with:

  • Upholding Your Faith in School: Being a Christian Student – Help your children stay anchored in their beliefs even in environments where faith is tested. This article equips you with biblical tips to support your kids as they navigate school life with courage, kindness, and conviction.
  • The Importance of Youth Mentorship – Learn why surrounding your children with the right role models is vital—and how mentorship can be a powerful tool in shaping their identity, values, and trust in God’s plan for their lives.
  • How to Deal With Peer Pressure – Learn how to teach children practical ways to navigate peer pressure while remaining true to their faith. This read provides Christ-centered strategies for building resilience and making godly choices—even when it’s tough.

Explore these resources today and help your child thrive spiritually in every area of life, because guiding your child’s heart toward God isn’t just a moment—it’s a lifelong mission.

  1. Zammit, I., & Taylor, L. K. (2024). Stage 2 Registered Report: Parental and Children’s Religiosity in Early Childhood: Implications for Transmission. The International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, 1–23. https://doi.org/10.1080/10508619.2024.2331891 [↵]

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