Nurturing a Child’s Faith: Let the Children Come to God
How do we help our children know God?
Not just memorize Bible verses or recite prayers, but truly encounter the presence of God in ways that shape their hearts, spark their curiosity, and lead them toward a lifetime of faith?
As parents, caregivers, and mentors, we often feel the pressure to “get it right.” But what if nurturing spirituality in children isn’t about perfection or rigid schedules? What if it’s about creating sacred spaces in the midst of the ordinary?
Children are naturally curious. They ask big questions: Why does God let bad things happen? Where does God live? How do I know God loves me? And while these questions may catch us off guard, they are sacred invitations.
1. Start with Wonder
Children are wired for wonder. They see the world with eyes wide open, noticing the shimmer of sunlight on leaves, the rhythm of rain, or the vastness of the night sky. These are perfect opportunities to introduce them to God’s presence.
Instead of over-explaining, let wonder lead. When they point out a butterfly, respond with awe: “Isn’t God creative? Look at all the colors He made!” When they marvel at the stars, whisper, “Did you know God knows each one of their names?”
Faith begins in the mystery, not in having all the answers.
2. Model an Honest Faith
Children learn about God by watching us. They need to see us bring our questions, fears, and joys to Him. Let them catch you praying over tough decisions, giving thanks for unexpected blessings, or leaning on God during hard days.
When your child asks a tough question—Why did God let my pet die? or Why can’t I see Him?—resist the urge to gloss over it. Instead, answer honestly: “That’s a really hard question, and I don’t have all the answers. But we can ask God together and trust that He’s with us, even when it’s hard to understand.”
Your honesty teaches them that faith doesn’t require certainty but trust.
3. Create Sacred Rhythms in the Ordinary
Faith grows in the soil of consistency. But for children, spiritual practices should feel natural and meaningful, not forced.
Here are a few ideas to try:
Morning Blessings: Speak a simple blessing over your child as they start their day: “May you feel God’s love with you today.”
Prayer Walks: Go on walks together and pray as you notice things around you. Thank God for the flowers, ask Him to help a struggling neighbor, or pray for peace in your own heart.
Storytelling: Use Bible stories to spark conversation. Ask, “What do you think it was like to be Daniel in the lion’s den? How would you feel if God asked you to build a boat like Noah?”
Lament Together: Teach your child that it’s okay to feel sad or frustrated and bring those emotions to God. Say, “Let’s tell God how we feel. He can handle it.”
These rhythms don’t need to be long or elaborate; they just need to be consistent.
4. Encourage Questions and Exploration
When children ask questions about faith, they aren’t doubting—it’s how they learn. Create a safe space for their questions by responding with curiosity rather than judgment.
For example, if your child asks, “How do I know God is real?” you can respond, “That’s such an important question. Let’s talk about the ways we feel God’s presence in our lives. Can you think of a time when you felt really loved or safe? That’s one of the ways we experience Him.”
Curiosity is the doorway to a living, active faith.
5. Celebrate Their Connection with God
Every child connects with God in their own unique way. Some may feel God’s presence through art or music, others through nature, storytelling, or acts of kindness. Pay attention to how your child engages and encourage them to see these activities as spiritual.
For example:
If your child loves to draw, invite them to create pictures of what they think heaven looks like or what they want to thank God for.
If they’re moved by music, sing worship songs together or let them create their own.
If they enjoy helping others, encourage them to see their service as loving others like Jesus would.
The goal isn’t to box them into a specific way of connecting with God, but to celebrate the diversity of how He reveals Himself to each of us.
6. Trust the Holy Spirit
Perhaps the hardest yet most freeing part of nurturing spirituality in children is trusting that God is the one who draws them to Himself. We are sowing seeds, but it’s the Spirit who makes them grow.
Even when it feels like our efforts aren’t “working,” or when we wonder if we’re doing enough, we can rest in knowing that God loves our children even more than we do. His desire to meet them, guide them, and shape them into His likeness is greater than ours.
Questions to Reflect On:
How did you first experience God as a child?
What sacred rhythms could you incorporate into your child’s day?
How can you create space for their questions and wonder this week?
A Final Invitation
Nurturing a child’s faith isn’t about having all the answers or being the “perfect” parent. It’s about showing up—with your love, your honesty, and your trust in God’s grace.
What if you could invite your child into a journey of knowing a God who sees, loves, and delights in them? What if you could guide them not just to know about God but to experience Him?
Take it one day, one question, one sacred moment at a time. God is with you, and He’s with them, too.
But here’s the truth: in order to nurture someone else’s faith, we first need to nurture our own. As parents, caregivers, or mentors, we can only lead our children as far as we’ve gone ourselves. Spiritual direction creates a space for you to encounter God, to process your own questions, and to strengthen your connection with Him so that you can pour from a full cup.
Schedule a session today. Let’s walk this journey of faith—yours and theirs—together.