What Parents Should Start Doing Now to Raise Faith-Filled Kids

A pastor’s heart for family discipleship at home

As a pastor—and a parent—I’ve learned something incredibly freeing over the years. Most parents genuinely want to disciple their children well. They just don’t know where to start.

They’re busy.
They’re tired.
They feel under qualified.
And many quietly wonder, “Am I doing enough?”

Trust me—I’ve been there too.

As we head into a new year, my encouragement to parents isn’t to do more. It’s not to add another book, another program, or another guilt-driven goal.

Instead, my encouragement is this: do a few intentional things more consistently.

God has never asked parents to be perfect theologians. He’s asked us to be faithful, present, and intentional. Family discipleship doesn’t require a seminary education or a picture-perfect routine. It requires parents who are willing to bring their kids along as they follow Jesus themselves.

Here are three shifts I’m encouraging families to start making now—not next year—as they disciple their children at home.

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1. Create Consistent Faith Rhythms at Home

Scripture Focus: Deuteronomy 6:4–7; Psalm 78:4; Proverbs 22:6

God never intended faith to be passed down only through formal teaching moments. He designed it to grow through regular, everyday rhythms woven into normal family life.

In Deuteronomy 6, God gives parents a vision for discipleship that happens throughout the day:

“These words that I give you today are to be in your heart. Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
— Deuteronomy 6:6–7

Discipleship happens best when Scripture, prayer, and conversation are part of the normal flow of family life. These practices should not be an added burden that parents feel pressured to carry.

This doesn’t mean long lectures or hour-long devotions. It means intentional moments that happen regularly.

What this can look like:

• A short family devotional four times a week
• Prayer before bed or before school or both
• Reading Scripture together—even one verse
• Talking about what God is teaching you personally

The goal is not deep theological lectures. The goal is natural, faith-filled conversations where kids see that God’s Word actually matters in your everyday life.

Psalm 78 reminds us why this matters:

“We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy acts of the Lord.”
— Psalm 78:4

Ask simple questions like:

• “Where did you see God today?”
• “What do you think God wants us to do in that situation?”
• “How can we pray about this together?”

One of the most powerful things you can say as a parent is:

“I don’t have all the answers—but I trust God, and I want to follow Him. Let’s see if we can find the answer in God’s Word together.”

That kind of humility and honesty disciples your kids more than you may ever realize.

Helpful Resources:

• The Biggest Story Family Devotional – Kevin DeYoung
• Family Discipleship – Matt Chandler & Adam Griffin
• The Garden, the Curtain, and the Cross – Carl Laferton

Try This:
Put one faith question on the fridge each week. Everyone answers—including you.

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2. Have Gospel Conversations in Everyday Moments

Scripture Focus: Deuteronomy 6:7; Colossians 4:6; Luke 6:45

Some of the most powerful discipleship moments don’t happen during planned devotional times. They happen in the car, after school, during conflict, or when life doesn’t go as expected.

The apostle Paul reminds us:

“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt.”
— Colossians 4:6

Kids are already asking big questions—about fairness, failure, forgiveness, fear, and hope. Our role isn’t to have perfect answers; it’s to help them interpret life through the lens of the gospel.

Jesus said:

“For the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart.”
— Luke 6:45

What fills our hearts eventually shapes our conversations—and our kids notice.

What gospel conversations can look like:

• Helping kids process emotions through Scripture
• Talking about forgiveness after conflict
• Pointing out God’s faithfulness in everyday blessings
• Praying immediately when worries arise

God’s command is clear:

“Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road.”
— Deuteronomy 6:7

Discipleship isn’t just about what kids know.
It’s about what they see lived out.

Kids learn how to pray by hearing us pray.
They learn generosity by watching us give.
They learn grace by how we respond when we mess up.

Focus on simple faith rhythms, not perfect routines. These moments don’t have to be long. They just need to be consistent. What matters most isn’t the length of the moment—it’s the message it sends:

“Following Jesus is part of who we are as a family.”

Helpful Resources:

• Habits of the Household – Justin Whitmel Earley
• Family Worship – Donald Whitney
• Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles – Paul David Tripp

Try This:
Pick one faith rhythm per season. Don’t overload your family. Start small—and build slowly.

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3. Start Partnering With the Church—Not Replacing Yourself With It

Scripture Focus: Deuteronomy 6:6; 1 Corinthians 11:1; James 5:16

More than any curriculum or devotional, parents are the most influential faith examples their children will ever have.

Paul writes:

“Be imitators of me, as I also am of Christ.”
— 1 Corinthians 11:1

Kids don’t need perfect parents. They need parents who genuinely love Jesus, repent when they fail, and depend on God daily.

“These words that I give you today are to be in your heart.”
— Deuteronomy 6:6

What this can look like:

• Letting your kids see you read Scripture
• Praying out loud for real needs
• Apologizing and asking forgiveness
• Speaking with gratitude and trust in God

“Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another.”
— James 5:16

I say this often, and I’ll keep saying it:
The church is a powerful partner—but parents are the primary disciple-makers.

What happens at church should reinforce what’s happening at home, not replace it.

Lean into partnership with your church:

• Ask your kids what they learned at church
• Pray for their leaders by name
• Use church resources at home
• Speak positively about the church and its role in your family

When parents value the church, kids learn to value it too.
And when kids see faith modeled both at church and at home—it sticks.

Helpful Resources:

• Church-provided parent guides, emails, and lesson recaps
• New City Catechism for Kids – The Gospel Coalition
• God’s Big Story Podcast
• Collide Kids Podcast
• The GoodKind Podcast

Try This:
Each week, ask:

• “What was your favorite part of church?”
• “What did you learn about God?”
• “How can we live that out this week?”

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A Word From A Pastor’s Heart

Parents, discipleship isn’t about doing everything right.
It’s about showing up again and again.

You don’t have to be perfect.
You don’t have to know it all.
You just have to be intentional and available.

God chose you to disciple your children—not because you’re flawless, but because He is faithful.

Small, intentional steps in family discipleship—taken consistently—can have an eternal impact on both you and your children.

Start now. Stay faithful. And trust God to do what only He can do in your home.

Click here to download the Simple Family Discipleship Starter Plan