Key truths for parents and carers

God’s design for how children and young people get to know him is that they learn it at home, from the people around them – their parents and carers.

It can feel daunting to take on this responsibility – but it doesn’t need to. You are more effective and impactful in helping your children meet and know God than the church could ever be. And that’s true even if you lack confidence about your own parenting abilities, your relationship with God or how to coach your children in that.

How can we say this? There are some key truths for you to know:

• God has given you a place of significant influence in the spiritual lives of your children. Influence happens through personal connection and you have a longer and stronger personal connection with your child than anyone else. Also, faith is applied in the everyday and you are the person who is present with your child in the everyday, so you have the opportunity to show them this. You can find out more about our approach here.
• The church cannot be as effective at this as you can. You know your child better than the church does and you have more time with them. Church is there to support, encourage and equip you, as are we.
• God knows what parenting is like. He designed parenting for faith to happen when we are busy and tired. It’s not something that can only happen when you’re feeling great and have everything under control. What children need most is to see what a real relationship with God looks like up close and in the everyday. When things are good, bad or just boring. As a parent or primary carer, you are in a perfect position to do that.
• How you parent for faith will be different from how others do it. You are the expert in your own child, nobody knows them like you do. We are here to support you, giving you the tools and encouragement, not to tell you what to do. You are already doing lots of useful and significant spiritual discipling. We are here to help you add to what you are already doing.
• There are no guarantees. Your job is not to produce perfect Christian children but to give them what they need to help them find their own connection to God and equip them to journey with him.
• Your relationship with God is a journey. Whether you are a brand new Christian or have been following Jesus all your life, keep moving forward. Your children are also on a journey in their relationship with God. Your job is to help them journey well by listening to them and exploring their questions, letting them see some of your journey and sharing things that have helped you.

There’s no one right way to parent for faith. At Parenting for Faith we are committed to giving you tools and skills to help you as you disciple your children and teens in ways that work for you, and share stories and ideas for what parenting for faith looks like in all sorts of situations and scenarios.