Helping Children Discover Faith, Family and God
Children are naturally curious. They ask questions, explore the world around them, and want to understand why things happen. This curiosity provides parents, grandparents, carers, churches, and other adults with wonderful opportunities to help children discover faith.
Christian faith should not simply be something that adults talk about while children watch from the sidelines. Children can be included, encouraged, listened to, taught, and given opportunities to participate.
Involve Your Child/ren is about making faith something children can experience as part of everyday family life.
Children do not need to understand everything immediately. Faith develops over time. What matters is creating an environment where children feel safe to ask questions, express their thoughts, discover who God is, and learn what it means to follow Jesus.
Why Should We Involve Children?
Children are an important part of the Christian community.
Sometimes adults unintentionally create a separation between “adult faith” and “children’s faith”. We may assume that children are too young to understand spiritual matters or that they should simply listen while adults take part.
• But children can pray.
• Children can worship.
• Children can serve.
• Children can show kindness.
• Children can ask important questions.
• Children can learn about God.
• Children can encourage other people.
Involving children helps them understand that they belong.
Make Faith Part of Everyday Life
Christian faith does not have to be restricted to Sunday mornings.
Faith can become part of ordinary family life.
You might:
• Pray together before school.
• Talk about something you are thankful for.
• Discuss kindness after an experience at school.
• Pray for someone who is struggling.
• Talk about forgiveness after a disagreement.
• Read a Bible story together.
• Encourage children to help someone in need.
Other ideas:
| Watch Christian films together. |
| Where are you in God, allow family to talk about when they are close to God and when they feel distant from Him. Allow your family to express these feelings without judgement and give advice how we can become closer. |
| Celebrate your talents and give thanks for them. |
| Thank God for His love, encourage your child to say thank you. |
| Allow your children to speak about their excitement, frustrations, whether they are happy or sad and to encourage them to tell God about these feelings. |
| Use online resources. |
| Have a being grateful pin board wall. |
| Have a thankful jar. |
| Pillow hug, hug a pillow while giving blessings to others. |
| For youth make a video together |
| Play worship music in the car. |
| Worship nights at home. |
| Talk about how God was in your day. |
| Family journal |
| Do something together in the community. |
| God’s creation hike |
| Bubble prayers – each bubble as it floats away prayer. |
| Craft create something God would like, something that represents His love, maybe create something out of playdough or clay. |
These small moments can have a lasting influence.
Let Children Ask Questions
One of the most important things adults can do is allow children to ask questions.
Children may ask:
• “Where is God?”
• “Why do people suffer?”
• “Why do we pray?”
• “How do we know God is real?”
• “Why did Jesus die?”
• “What happens when someone dies?”
Some questions can be difficult.
You do not need to have every answer.
It is perfectly acceptable to say, “I don’t know, but let’s find out together.”
This teaches children that asking questions is part of growing in faith.
Don’t Be Afraid of Difficult Questions
As children grow, their questions may become more complicated.
They may question things they previously accepted.
This does not necessarily mean that they are rejecting faith.
It may mean they are developing their understanding.
Instead of responding with fear or anger, create a safe environment where children can explore their questions.
A child who knows they can ask difficult questions is more likely to continue talking to trusted adults.
Involve Children in Prayer
Prayer does not need to be complicated.
Children can pray in simple ways.
They can pray for:
• Family.
• Friends.
• Teachers.
• People who are ill.
• People who are lonely.
• Their community.
• The world.
• Their own worries.
Take time to pray together as a family:
• Mealtimes
• Car journeys
• Bedtimes.
• Walking to school
• In the morning before anything else
Allow children to pray in their own words.
Do not correct every sentence.
Prayer should become a relationship with God rather than a performance.
Give Children Opportunities to Serve
Children can learn about Christian service by participating.
Depending on their age, children might:
• Help collect food for a food bank.
• Make cards for elderly people.
• Help prepare church activities.
• Collect donations for charity.
• Help welcome visitors.
• Participate in community events.
• Help care for church property.
• Support fundraising activities.
Service teaches children that faith involves action.
Teach Children About Generosity
Christmas, birthdays, and other occasions provide opportunities to teach generosity.
Children can be encouraged to think about people who have less than they do.
Rather than simply asking, “What would you like?”, also ask:
“Who could we help?”
Children might choose a toy to donate, contribute some pocket money, or help prepare a gift for someone who may otherwise receive very little.
Generosity becomes more meaningful when children participate in the decision.
Involve Children in Church
Children should feel that church is a place where they belong.
Where appropriate, children can participate in:
• Worship.
• Prayer.
• Bible activities.
• Drama.
• Music.
• Readings.
• Children’s groups.
• Community projects.
• Special services.
Not every child will want to stand at the front or speak publicly.
Involvement should encourage rather than pressure.
Allow Children to Use Their Gifts
Children have different personalities and abilities.
| One child may enjoy singing. |
| Another may love drawing. |
| Another may be interested in technology. |
| Another may enjoy helping people. |
| Another may be confident speaking. |
| Another may prefer working quietly behind the scenes. |
Do not assume that every child should participate in the same way.
Look for their individual strengths.
Help Children Understand Christmas
Christmas provides many opportunities to involve children.
Children can:
• Help decorate.
• Make Christmas cards.
• Participate in a nativity.
• Prepare gifts for others.
• Help collect food.
• Make decorations for church.
• Learn about the Christmas story.
• Pray for people who are lonely.
Christmas can become an opportunity to teach children that giving is about more than receiving presents.
Help Children Understand Easter
Easter can also be explained in ways children can understand.
Children can learn about:
• Jesus entering Jerusalem.
• The Last Supper.
• The cross.
• Jesus’ death.
• The empty tomb.
• The resurrection.
• Christian hope.
Age-appropriate explanations are important, particularly when discussing suffering and death.
Children should be allowed to ask questions and express emotions.
Teach Through Stories
Children often learn effectively through stories.
Bible stories can introduce children to:
• Creation.
• Noah.
• Abraham.
• Joseph.
• Moses.
• David.
• Esther.
• Daniel.
• Mary.
• Joseph.
• Jesus.
• The disciples.
• Paul.
After reading a story, ask questions such as:
• What happened?
• How do you think they felt?
• What can we learn from this?
• What would you have done?
This turns Bible reading into a conversation.
Make Bible Reading Interactive
Children may struggle if Bible reading simply involves sitting still for a long period.
Try making it interactive.
Depending on age, you could use:
• Pictures.
• Questions.
• Drawing.
• Acting.
• Music.
• Storytelling.
• Discussion.
• Memory activities.
• Devotionals together
• Bible games
• Older children to help tutor the younger children.
The goal is not simply to make Bible reading entertaining.
It is to help children understand and remember what they are learning.
Teach Children Through Questions
Questions encourage children to think.
Instead of always giving them answers, ask:
• “What do you think?”
• “Why do you think that happened?”
• “How would you feel?”
• “What could you have done?”
• “What does this teach us?”
Questions can help children develop their own understanding rather than simply repeating what adults have told them.
Teach Children About Kindness
Kindness is one of the simplest ways children can practise Christian values.
Encourage children to:
• Include someone who is alone.
• Help someone who is struggling.
• Share.
• Say thank you.
• Apologise.
• Forgive.
• Encourage others.
• Stand up against bullying.
Children learn kindness partly by watching adults.
If they see kindness being practised at home, they are more likely to practise it themselves.
Teach Children About Forgiveness
Children will experience disagreements.
They will fall out with friends.
They may argue with brothers and sisters.
They will sometimes make mistakes.
These situations provide opportunities to teach forgiveness.
Help children understand that forgiveness does not mean ignoring harmful behaviour.
It means learning how to respond appropriately rather than allowing anger and bitterness to control us.
Help Children Deal with Worry
Children experience worries too.
They may worry about:
• School.
• Friends.
• Bullying.
• Family problems.
• Health.
• Exams.
• Moving house.
• Changes in relationships.
• The future.
Encourage children to talk about their worries.
Listen without immediately dismissing their concerns.
Pray together and remind them that they can bring their fears to God.
Be a Role Model
Children learn from what adults do.
They watch how we:
• Speak.
• Treat other people.
• Respond to stress.
• Handle disagreements.
• Apologise.
• Forgive.
• Give.
• Pray.
• Worship.
If we tell children that faith matters but never demonstrate it in our own lives, they may struggle to understand its importance.
Our example can be one of the most powerful lessons we give them.
Don’t Expect Perfection
Children will make mistakes.
They will become distracted.
They may not want to attend church every week.
They may ask challenging questions.
They may sometimes behave badly.
This is part of growing up.
Faith should not become associated only with punishment or disappointment.
Children need to experience grace, patience, encouragement, and forgiveness.
Create Family Traditions
Family traditions can help children associate faith with positive memories.
Consider creating traditions such as:
• A family prayer night.
• A weekly Bible story.
• A gratitude moment at mealtimes.
• Helping a charity at Christmas.
• Visiting someone who is lonely.
• Attending a special church service.
• A family Easter activity.
• Celebrating answered prayers.
These traditions can become meaningful memories that children carry into adulthood.
Involve Teenagers Too
Older children and teenagers should not be forgotten.
Teenagers need opportunities to discuss faith honestly.
They may be thinking about:
• Identity.
• Relationships.
• Social pressure.
• School.
• University.
• Careers.
• Politics.
• Mental wellbeing.
• Morality.
• Doubt.
• The future.
Treat teenagers as people capable of meaningful conversations.
Listen to them.
Don’t simply lecture them.
Let Children See the Real Church
Church is not perfect because people are not perfect.
Children may eventually notice disagreements, mistakes, or problems within the Church.
Rather than pretending everything is perfect, help them understand that Christians are still learning and growing.
Teach them that faith is ultimately about Christ rather than expecting every Christian to behave perfectly.
Create a Safe Environment
Children need to feel safe when discussing faith.
They should know they can speak honestly without being mocked or humiliated.
Adults should also ensure appropriate safeguarding practices are followed whenever children participate in church activities.
Children deserve to be protected, respected, listened to, and taken seriously.
Conclusion
Involving children in Christian life is not simply about keeping them occupied while adults worship.
Children are valuable members of the Christian community.
They have questions, gifts, ideas, compassion, creativity, and the ability to make a difference.
When children are encouraged to pray, worship, serve, ask questions, read the Bible, participate in church, and show kindness, they begin to understand that faith is not something that belongs only to adults.
It belongs in everyday life.
The role of parents, grandparents, churches, carers, teachers, and other trusted adults is not to force children into a particular mould but to create an environment where they can discover faith, ask questions, develop understanding, and grow in their relationship with God.
Sometimes the smallest opportunities can make the biggest difference.
• A bedtime prayer.
• A conversation in the car.
• A question at the dinner table.
• Helping someone in need.
• A visit to church.
• A simple act of kindness.
These moments can become part of a child’s lifelong understanding of faith.
Most importantly, remember that children are watching us.
They learn from what we say, but they often learn even more from what we do.
• If we want children to become compassionate, we must demonstrate compassion.
• If we want them to forgive, we must demonstrate forgiveness.
• If we want them to pray, let them see us praying.
• If we want them to trust God, let them see us trusting Him.
Involve your children. Listen to them. Encourage them. Teach them. Give them opportunities to serve. Let them ask questions. Let them discover their gifts. And above all, help them discover the love of God and the person of Jesus Christ.
14-Day Bible Reading Plan: Involve Your Child/ren
Day 1 — Jesus Welcomes Children
Reading: Mark 10:13–16
Day 2 — Teaching Children About God
Reading: Deuteronomy 6:1–9
Day 3 — Children and Faith
Reading: Matthew 18:1–6
Day 4 — Learning Through God’s Word
Reading: 2 Timothy 3:14–17
Day 5 — Passing Faith to the Next Generation
Reading: Psalm 78:1–8
Day 6 — Teaching Through Everyday Life
Reading: Proverbs 22:1–6
Day 7 — Children as Part of God’s People
Reading: Joel 2:15–17
Day 8 — Learning to Pray
Reading: Luke 11:1–13
Day 9 — Serving Others
Reading: Mark 9:33–37
Day 10 — Showing Kindness
Reading: Luke 10:25–37
Day 11 — Using Our Gifts
Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:4–27
Day 12 — Growing in Faith
Reading: Ephesians 4:11–16
Day 13 — Being an Example
Reading: 1 Timothy 4:11–16
Day 14 — Growing Together
Reading: Colossians 3:12–17
Reflection
Take some time to consider how children are included in your family, church, and Christian community.
• Do children feel that they genuinely belong?
• Do I listen when children ask questions about faith?
• Do I give children opportunities to pray and serve?
• Am I encouraging their individual gifts and abilities?
• Do children see Christian faith demonstrated through my actions?
• How can I make faith part of everyday family life?
• Is there a child or young person who needs encouragement, support, or someone to listen?
Children are not simply the future of the Church.
They are part of the Church today.
When we involve children, we give them opportunities to discover their gifts, develop their faith, serve others, and understand that they have an important place within God’s family.
Always remember to be consistent and it must be Fun.
Youth
Discover resources created to encourage young people as they explore faith, ask questions, and grow in their relationship with God. Explore topics that connect Christian faith with everyday life, friendships, challenges, choices, and discovering your identity in Christ. Select a button below to explore helpful, engaging, and faith-building resources for young people.
© This website is subject to copyright and belongs to Christian Life Today. If you would like to reuse any of the materials, please contact first via the contact page, thank you.