What are some parenting practices for various stages of my child’s development to help them maintain an interest in faith?
When asked, most Christian parents say their deepest hope for their children as they grow into adulthood is that they “make their faith their own”. While this goal is widely shared, many parents worry about how to build an environment that fosters a lasting spiritual interest.
One effective approach is for parents to adopt practices in their own lives that set the stage for their children’s faith formation. This begins by recognizing how the parent-child dynamic shifts over time. When children are young, parents direct most aspects of their lives—including attending a local church, engaging in family prayer and Scripture reading, and participating in Sunday school or youth group, among other things.
As children grow, however, a parent’s role transitions from responsibility to influence. This shift can be challenging, especially if children begin making choices that don't seem to align with following Jesus. During these moments, parents must remember their ultimate goal: encouraging a genuine, personal faith. Achieving this requires accepting that we cannot control our children's decisions as they mature. Instead, our focus should shift to offering thoughtful insight and gentle influence whenever possible.
What does this look like in practice?
An essential step is cultivating a home environment where questions about faith, God, and the world are always welcomed and encouraged. This posture teaches children that no question is too big or off-limits for God—or for their parents. If children grow up in homes where their doubts and questions are shut down with responses like, "We don't talk about that," they are far more likely to seek answers from non-faith sources or stop asking questions altogether. Neither outcome supports healthy spiritual growth or aligns with a parent’s hopes for their child.
However, when parents remain open to their children's wonderings and doubts, it opens the door to explore answers together. This collaborative approach models a crucial truth: while the goal is for children to own their faith, spiritual formation is a lifelong journey best experienced within a supportive faith community.
About the Author
Rick Zomer has worked with young adults for over 30 years and currently serves as a faith formation consultant for the CRCNA. He lives in Grand Rapids, Mich., and attends Fifth Church.