Your faith is an important part of your life, and one that you would naturally want to share with your children. It might be important to you that your kids share the value and appreciation you have for your faith and as a Christian, you might want your children to grow up knowing how to lean on God.
However, religion is an incredibly personal journey, and introducing your faith to your kids can be tricky business. They might not understand and they might have questions that you can’t answer simply. Here are a few tips on how to approach religion with your little ones in a healthy way.
Let Them Read
Finding a good children’s Bible (or whichever religious text you rely on) can be tricky. We’re faced with so many options for everything in life, that it can be tough to know which is the best option.
However, you know your kids best and you have a deep understanding of what they will connect with. You could opt for something traditional or even a comic book Bible to grab your kids’ interest. Reading with them from a young age, telling them stories and lessons, will help them to be solidified in their hearts.
Talk About It
You, as a parent, are someone that your children will follow and look up to, even leading into their teen years and beyond. Verbalising (and even practically showing) how important your faith is to you, will have an impact on how they see the world.
You don’t want to come across as nagging about the topic, as this might lead to resistance from your kids. Instead, express your appreciation for God’s presence and note His blessings in your daily life. The more you recognise God in your life and talk about Him, the more your children will learn to do the same.
Lead By Example
“Do as I say, not as I do” never really sticks, does it? Kids will always follow the examples they see, whether this is a conscious decision or not.
You can lead by example in various ways: you can allow your children to see you reading your Bible and spending time with God, giving thanks, and appreciating your blessings.
You can also lead by example by displaying your spiritual values. Show kindness, forgiveness, generosity, gentleness. Let your kids know that these traits are traits that God wants you to have and that they make life better for yourself and others.
The Takeaway
Bringing faith into your children’s lives is an important foundation to build for them. However, it’s important to keep in mind that there’s no guarantee that your children will share your spiritual beliefs, and you need to be able to love and accept them regardless of their choices.
You can, however, always support and encourage their journey with God and continue to be an example of how a life of faith will bring joy and peace to you and your family.
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