Faith Starts At Home
Raising Faith-Filled Kids in a World Full of Noise
One of the most sacred and weighty roles we carry as parents is raising our children in the faith. And let’s be real—this can feel super overwhelming sometimes. It’s easy to get caught up in questions like: “Am I doing enough?” “Will my child grow up strong in their faith?” or “How do I prepare them to face a world that doesn’t always reflect the values we’re instilling at home?”
These questions hit home for me. As a mom, I often feel that pull to do more, be better, and somehow instill courage, strength, and a deep love for God in my boys. I want them to be rooted and grounded in their identity in Christ, not swayed by every trend or worldview that comes their way. And yet—when I look to Scripture and lean into God’s truth—I’m reminded of something so freeing: I don’t have to carry this on my own. In fact, I can’t.
It Starts with Delight
Pastor William reminded us of a beautiful truth that shifted my heart: our children are a gift from God. Not just a responsibility, but a delight. And our greatest influence on them begins not with rigid discipline or perfect parenting—but with our own delight in God.
Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. — Psalm 37:4 (ESV)
When I truly delight in God, when I find joy in His word and spend time with Him in prayer, that naturally spills over into my parenting. Just like my boys want to taste my ice cream when they see how much I’m enjoying it, they’re going to be curious about what makes my soul come alive. Kids mimic what we do—not just what we say.
Marking Time with Purpose
One thing Pastor William shared that I love is the idea of marking our day with God’s presence. This goes back to the rhythm of the early church and even the Jewish tradition of praying at specific hours. Our modern lives are fast and full—but even simple moments like stopping to give thanks before a meal or praying on the drive to school can create powerful spiritual rhythms in our homes.
These aren’t just habits—they’re ways we anchor ourselves and our children in the presence of God. When our kids see us prioritize prayer, crack open our Bibles, and genuinely wrestle with Scripture, it tells them this faith is real. It’s alive. It matters.
A Life that Overflows
There’s that saying: “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” And it’s so true. As parents, we’re constantly giving—snacks, snuggles, wisdom, correction, car rides, and a thousand little sacrifices. But if we aren’t filling up on God’s truth, if we aren’t letting Him fill our hearts with His grace, we’ll quickly run dry.
That’s why being in God’s word, meditating on it, and praying throughout the day is not just a nice add-on. It’s essential. When we live in the overflow—when we live with Jesus at the center—our children will see that and be drawn in.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” — Matthew 5:3 (ESV)
What a powerful reminder: acknowledging our own spiritual need is actually the starting point for blessing. That deep awareness of our need for Jesus is what allows His grace to fill us up—and that is what our kids will witness most.
Faith is God’s Gift—Not Our Performance
This part hit me hard—in the best way. I can’t give my children faith. That’s God’s job. What I can do is trust the One who gave me faith, to also give it to them. God is the author and the finisher of our faith, and that includes the faith journey of our kids. He’s writing their story just like He’s writing ours.
“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” — Romans 10:17 (ESV)
Our job is to stay faithful. To keep showing up. To keep praying. To keep sharing truth, love, and grace—even when we feel like we’re not enough. Because God is more than enough. His word is living and active, and He promises to work through it.
Two Big Takeaways:
Your delight in the Lord is your child’s best teacher. Your kids are watching your life more than listening to your words. Let them see you delight in God, in His word, and in prayer. That joy will naturally draw them into a life of faith.
You’re not alone—and it’s not all on you. You are not the author of your child’s faith—God is. Trust Him to work in their hearts. Your faithfulness to walk with God is the most powerful influence you can offer.
Let’s keep showing up with empty cups, trusting God to fill them. Because when our cups overflow with His grace, love, and truth—that’s when our parenting becomes powerful.
Check out the whole conversation here!
Keep going, friend. You were never meant to do this alone.
Aloha,
Bethany 💙
