Spiritual faith can be a source of strength and hope in an uncertain world. Children and adults alike benefit from having something to hold onto when life doesn’t make sense. As a parent, you’re in a unique position to encourage your child and nurture them in a way that helps them thrive. You can send them to a Christian school and worship together on the weekends to surround them with faith, but the real lessons start at home. Here’s how you can help your child learn more about Christianity.
Start with the Basics
Go over the fundamentals of Christianity. Consider all the things you wish you knew as a child. Tell your child about Jesus, the stories of the Old Testament, and the continuation of the Church in the New Testament. Explain why these stories of faith are important in your life and how it can impact your child’s life. Find other engaging resources that can help teach them, like children’s books and movies. Then, talk through how they can apply those lessons into daily life.
Make it Actionable
Incorporating prayer is a great place to start. Do faith-based activities together, like creating Bible-related crafts or making lists of things you are thankful for. The more your child thinks of faith as an action as well as something they feel, the more engaged they will be in the experience.
Show Them How God Helps You
Set an example of how to live a faithful life. Start by being open with your child about your relationship with God and the church. This can mean thanking God out loud or showing your child how to best serve those in need. Tell your child a story about a time faith helped you when you needed encouragement or support. Then, explain how your faith helps you in your day-to-day life. Seeing the positive influence faith has on your life will make your child want to be more faithful.
Listen to Your Child
One way you can help your child is by listening to what they have to say. Hear their concerns, don’t chastise their questions, and show them how faith can help improve their outlook. Answer any questions your child may have about your faith. Ask them what they believe and how it brings them peace. When you listen to your child, you can become a trusted advisor in all aspects of their life.
Faith formation starts at home, and we aim to continue the pursuit in the classroom. At North Tampa Christian Academy, a Tampa Christian school, students thrive creatively, academically and spiritually in a project-based learning environment. Faculty and families work together to inspire leadership through Christian innovation. Contact us today to learn more.