Faith Is Caught, Not Just Taught
Between laundry piles and snack times, it can feel impossible to find time for “family discipleship.” But what if discipleship is happening in those very moments?
Our walk with the Lord isn’t limited to a set family devotion time—it’s a lifestyle. You aren’t growing in your sanctification only at the times you open your Bible; in the same way, your children aren’t only growing in faith when you sit down for a formal lesson.
Spiritual growth—yours and theirs—happens both in the structured moments and in the everyday ones. Our children are watching and learning from us all day long: how to eat, how to speak kindly, and how to respond when things go wrong, when we’re sad, or when life doesn’t make sense.
Faith is taught—but it’s also caught. When your kids see you worship through service, gratitude, and love, they begin to see what living for Jesus really looks like.
Chore Time: Serving God in the Ordinary
Chores are some of the best opportunities to model faith at home. They teach responsibility, gratitude, and humility—all traits rooted in Christlike service.
Remind your children that “we serve others because Jesus served us.” (John 13:14–15). We love because He first loved us, and we want to steward the gifts God has given us well.
In our home, we have “stewardship time” after breakfast. The kids take care of their bodies (brush teeth, comb hair, get dressed) and then care for their space (make beds and tidy rooms). This simple rhythm teaches them responsibility and reminds them that their bodies and belongings are gifts from the Lord.
Other ideas:
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Give each family member five sticky notes. Write down small ways you’ve seen them serve others, and celebrate when everyone has completed theirs—maybe with a dance party or special treat!
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Turn on worship songs during clean-up time. Make it fun with a timer, a race, or a silly dance break!
Playtime: Creativity and God’s Design
Play is a child’s language—and one of the simplest ways to help them see God’s beauty in the world.
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Building blocks? Talk about how God is our firm foundation.
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Painting? Point out that God created a colorful world full of variety and joy.
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Playing pretend? Teach them that we can reflect God’s image by showing kindness and forgiveness.
*The Holy Spirit is our Helper sensory bin from our Big Truth Curriculum.
Car Rides: Podcasts, Music, & Conversation
The car can become one of your favorite discipleship spaces— kids are contained, and rides are full of opportunity for conversation.
Here are a few ideas for discipleship during car rides:
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Clip a “Verse of the Week” card to your dashboard.
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Ask reflective questions like, “Where did you see God’s goodness today?” or “What was your high and low?”
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Play Christian podcasts or music for kids (we love Slugs & Bugs and Tiny Theologians).
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Establish a simple routine: on the way there, listen to worship; on the way home, let the kids choose the music.
Mealtimes: Gratitude and Conversation
The dinner table is a natural gathering place for faith at home. It’s where stories are shared, laughter happens, and hearts are shaped.
Before eating, take time to pray. You can use a set prayer for memorization or encourage your children to pray in their own words. As you eat, go around the table sharing one praise and one prayer.
Ask simple questions like, “What’s one thing God taught you today?”
In our family, we often quote Matthew 4:4 — “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” We say it at every meal, and our 4-year-old can now tell us what it means!
Bedtime: Ending the Day
Bedtime can be one of the most peaceful moments for family discipleship. It’s always a sweet time to fill their minds with truth before they sleep. We love to read a short Bible story or a toddler faith-based book. Some of our favorite Toddler Board Books are listed here.
We end the night reciting each child’s unique “life verse” over them and then say a prayer. Even just five minutes of intentional connection can end the day with peace and truth.
Grace > Guilt
If you feel like you’re failing at keeping up with devotion time—take a deep breath. You’re not failing.
Not every day will go as planned, and that’s okay. Faith is built through small, consistent touches, not through perfection. God uses imperfect parents to plant seeds of truth in the hearts of their children.
“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” — Galatians 6:9
Your faithfulness in the ordinary moments matters more than you think and it is my prayer that we would see fruit from our work!
Discipleship in the Ordinary
You don’t need more hours in the day to disciple your children—you just need eyes to see the opportunities that are already there.
Ask the Lord to help you notice the small moments, and invite the Holy Spirit to guide your words and actions. Every diaper change, car ride, snack time, and bedtime story is a chance to point your little ones to Jesus.
Want to bring more intentional faith lessons into your daily rhythm?
Explore our Big Truths Collection, designed to help you disciple your little ones with joy and ease.