How to Instill Christian Values Into Your Children at a Young Age

Teaching young children the tenets of faith can be done in reasonable ways without brainwashing or pressuring them to believe certain things. Parents can adopt a consistent but low-key approach that demonstrates Christianity in practice through word and deed. There are several effective ways of instilling Christian values in kids.

Read Bible Stories to Them

Children love to be read to, and they often enjoy learning to read when they start school. You may want to read simple Bible scriptures to young children that they can easily grasp. These could include the Genesis passages about creation, for example. Then be prepared to discuss the passage and answer questions they might raise, like how did God “rest”. You can also read them age-appropriate stories adapted from the Bible in prose they can easily understand.

Take Them to Church

Taking your kids to church is a meaningful use of family time. You are helping them to give part of their week to worshipping God and spending time with other Christians. Sunday school offers fun activities and exciting lessons that can be shared with their peers by listening to stories, talking with other children, and playing related games or being involved in class activities that make the Bible more relevant and accessible. Seeing their parents in church reinforces the value of weekly worship from childhood through adulthood.

Pray With Them

Include your children in family prayers when each of you take a turn talking to God. Kids learn by example and will begin to understand from an early age how to address God, what to ask for, and how to praise Him for wonderful deeds and gifts. Children can also be taught how to pray individually as well as before meals or bedtime. At first they may echo your words, but soon they will become more comfortable with talking to God in their own way.

Get Involved in Family Ministry

Families can volunteer to help with community needs or church activities enable them to demonstrate faith in action. As children watch their parents talk about God and apply Christian beliefs, they learn what it means to follow Jesus in practice, not just in words. Handing out food from the church pantry on designated days or staying after a church event to help clean the facility are simple but effective ways to teach the principle of Christian service.

Even preschoolers can learn the tenets of the Christian faith when parents take time to explain spiritual values in ways that kids can appreciate.