F or our kids to be learning and growing in their faith, we know that there has to be more than a couple of hours a week at church. As parents, we know that our time together throughout the week is forming them too, but we might not be sure how to do this well. As the Reformed Church in America’s Commission on Christian Discipleship and Education began discussing how we can help parents disciple kids well at home, the thing that stood out to us was how overcomplicated we can make things.
As parents, we don’t want to fail our kids. We don’t want to do too much or too little, and when we think of how or where to start, it can be overwhelming. We want to be forming our kids. We want them to be learning about who our God is and what it means to be following Jesus. We want them to know that they are loved, and that they matter in our churches. How do we best do that?
Related: Why it’s imperative that we continue the legacy of faith
Leverage what your family already does
Instead of thinking about new things to try to add into already busy lives, we recommend activities and resources to incorporate into what you are already doing.
We read books. Families can be reading together, exploring books that talk about God, about Scripture, about who we are, and who we are called to be. The hope is that these books would not just be helping us to learn more as we read them together, but to spark further conversations and good questions as well. See the list at the end of this article for specific recommendations!
Related: How to choose a children’s Bible that will form faith for life
We color. There is a beautiful resource called Praying in Color, which invites us to practice using coloring as a form of prayer. We worship a God who creates beautiful things. This is a great way to not only join in with our Creator God, but to remember that prayer is about connection.
We go to church. Perhaps this example from Reformed Mama of “sermon notes for kids” can be something that you can either print or just use as a guide for how to keep your kiddos engaged throughout a church service. This template provides prompts for continuing the conversation after the church service with questions like: what words did you hear but not know? What did we hear about God today? How does what we heard today apply to your life? We are already going to church (hopefully); this is a possible way to continue the conversation at home and throughout the week.
Related: Three essentials for faith formation the church can give every parent and caregiver
Faith is a part of our everyday lives, and we hope that these resources help you to be more intentional in the midst of the lives you are already living.
General discipleship resources for parents
The following books provide a starting point for parents to think more intentionally about discipleship at home with their children. Parents can also find individual articles that can help them with their parenting and discipling on the Christians for Biblical Equality (CBE) website; use the search word “parents.”
- Teach Your Children Well by Sarah Cowen Johnson (also available in Spanish: Enseñen bien a sus hijos) is a step-by-step guide for family discipleship, and it’s excellent. Also, Sarah has a website with some free resources.
- The Spiritually Vibrant Home by Don Everts. Check out this subtitle: “the power of messy prayers, loud tables, and open doors.” Wow!
- Family Discipleship That Works by Brian Dembowczyk. With practical advice and lots of ideas, this book is focused on teaching kids to act like Jesus.
- Households of Faith by Emily Hunter McGowin outlines a holistic vision for families in God’s kingdom, including households that extend beyond the biological nuclear family, such as multigenerational households, married and single people, and those with or without children.
Related: How parents and caregivers can help kids discern their giftings
Kids books that foster conversations about God
- The True King by Nancy Guthrie and illustrated by Jenny Brake
- The Garden, the Curtain, and the Cross: the true story of why Jesus died and rose again by Carl Laferton and illustrated by Catalina Echeverri
- How Great Is Our God: 100 Indescribable Devotions About God and Science by Louie Giglio and illustrated by Nicola Anderson
- Topsy Turvy King by Alison Brewis and Hannah Green
- You Will Always Belong by Matthew Paul Turner and illustrated by Lauren Gallegos
- What Is God Like? by Rachel Held Evans and Matthew Paul Turner, illustrated by Ying Hui Tan
- I Am God’s Dream by Matthew Paul Turner and illustrated by Estrella Bascuñan
Disclaimer: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, meaning that, at no cost to you, we will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. However, we were not paid to review or recommend any of the links on this page.
Rev. Ellen Balk
Rev. Ellen Balk co-pastors Parkway Community Church in Hicksville, New York, with her husband, Aric. She also serves on the Reformed Church in America’sCommission on Christian Discipleship and Education.
Rob Dixon
Dr. Rob Dixon lives in central California with his wife, Amy, and their four children, and works as a campus minister with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. He earned a Doctor of Intercultural Studies degree at Fuller Theological Seminary, where he focused on discerning the attributes of flourishing mixed-gender ministry partnerships. Rob is the author of Together in Ministry: Women and Men in Flourishing Partnerships. In his free time, Rob roots for the Dodgers, teaches at Fresno Pacific University, and plays as much pickleball as possible. Find him online at drrobdixon.com.
