Raising Kids for Christ: 7 Essentials for Family Spiritual Growth

 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

- Deuteronomy 6:5-7

Feeling overwhelmed by creating a family Spiritual Growth Plan? Here’s your guide to get started.

First of all, you’re not alone! Many Christian families lack a structured spiritual growth plan, even though it’s one of the most important things we can do for our children. When our kids face eternity, the only thing that will truly matter is their faith in Jesus as their Savior. If you believe this, a family spiritual growth plan should be at the center of your parenting vision.

In this post, we’ll explore 7 key elements for a Christ-centered family spiritual growth plan.

Element #1: Modeling a Faith-Filled Life

Children learn more from what we do than what we say. They’re always watching, and our actions speak volumes. Ask yourself:

• Do your children see you pray, read Scripture, and prioritize church as a family?
• Are you demonstrating healthy ways to handle emotions like anger and disappointment?
• Do they witness generosity, service, and a heart for others in your life?

Remember, our kids need to see us living authentic Christian lives—not perfect ones. Show them how to lean on God during struggles and celebrate His faithfulness in victories.

Pro Tip: Modeling Sabbath practices—like resting, worshiping, and reflecting on God’s goodness—teaches your children to prioritize time with Him in a noisy world.

Element #2: Teaching Biblical Truths

You don’t need to be a theologian to teach your kids about God. With countless resources available, your role is to guide them toward truth and discernment.

• Incorporate family Bible reading, devotions, and prayer into your daily rhythm.
• Teach kids how to discern which spiritual books align with Scripture. Help them explore resources like kids’ devotionals, illustrated Bible stories, or age-appropriate theology books.
• Discuss biblical truths in everyday moments—at the dinner table, during car rides, or at bedtime.

Pro Tip: Evaluate resources together. Ask questions like, “Does this align with what the Bible says?” Teaching discernment helps children grow spiritually while avoiding confusion from false teachings.

Element #3: Prioritizing Worship

Corporate worship is an essential part of a family’s spiritual growth. Regular church attendance teaches your children the importance of community and accountability in the faith.

• Make church participation a non-negotiable family priority.
• Explore the church calendar together, focusing on seasons like Advent, Lent, and Easter to deepen your family’s understanding of Christ’s story.
• Sing hymns or contemporary worship songs as a family. Music is a powerful way to worship God and teach theology.

Pro Tip: Consider Sabbath traditions like attending church together, enjoying a family meal, or going on a quiet nature walk to reflect on God’s blessings.

Element #4: Cultivating Solitude and Prayer

In a busy world, it’s vital to teach children the value of solitude with God. Create spaces where they can pray, reflect, and meditate on His Word.

• Encourage quiet time where each family member spends a few moments alone with God.
• Model prayer as a conversation with God, thanking Him, seeking His guidance, and sharing burdens.

Element #5: Practicing Service and Generosity

Christian families grow spiritually when they serve others together. Show your kids that faith is active:

• Volunteer at a local food bank or participate in church service projects as a family.
• Practice generosity by giving to missionaries, sponsoring a child, or helping a neighbor in need.
• Teach children the joy of giving by letting them use their allowance or time to serve others.

Pro Tip: Share stories of missionaries or local church ministries to inspire your kids about how God is at work in the world.

Element #6: Witnessing to Others

Help your children grow in confidence to share their faith.

• Encourage them to talk about Jesus with friends, family, and neighbors.
• Discuss what it means to live as a witness to God’s love and grace in everyday life.
• Celebrate their efforts to point others to Christ, even in small ways.

Element #7: Creating Routines That Stick

Kids thrive on routines, and spiritual habits are no exception. Build rhythms into your family’s life that make faith a natural part of every day.

• Set aside regular times for family devotions, prayer, and worship.
• Keep things joyful—mix in games, crafts, or songs that bring Scripture to life.
• Use bedtime as sacred one-on-one time to talk about faith, answer questions, and pray together.

Personal Story: Our youngest daughter loves asking questions about God at bedtime—everything from creation to heaven. These conversations have become precious moments of teaching and connection. By making Bible stories and discussions part of our routine, we’ve created a safe space for her to ask questions and learn more about biblical truths.

Key Points

• A family spiritual growth plan is the foundation of intentional Christian parenting.
• Incorporate practices like Sabbath rest, solitude, service, and generosity to deepen your family’s connection to God.
• Equip your children to discern resources and share their faith with others.

Together, let’s make spiritual growth a joyful, life-giving part of family life!