Helping Your Children Build a Lasting Faith in an Increasingly Anti-Biblical World
Raising children to follow Jesus in today’s world isn’t easy. Between the influence of social media, competing cultural values, and ever-changing technology, parents may feel overwhelmed. Barrett Johnson, family ministry expert and founder of Info for Families, addresses these challenges in a special series of TalkItUp episodes titled, Raising Faithful Kids.
In the first of these episodes, Part 1: Imperfect Families and the Call to Discipleship, Barrett emphasizes that parents are their children’s primary spiritual influencers. More than youth pastors or church leaders, kids look to their parents to see if faith truly matters.
As Barrett explains, “Our responsibility is to turn our children’s hearts toward God.” He challenges parents to model a vibrant relationship with Jesus which children can emulate.
“Does my child see something in me that makes her say, ‘I want what my dad has with God?’” Barrett asks.
He also shares practical advice for fostering faith. For example:
- Use Everyday Moments: such as car rides or bedtime, for quick spiritual conversations by discussing scripture or sharing a simple prayer
- Ask Purposeful Questions: replace “what do you want to be when you grow up?” with “what does God want to do with your life?”
- Prioritize Connection: maintain a close, loving relationship with children regardless of their stage in life
- Teach through Modeling: show children how to navigate challenges with faith by being honest about struggles and growth
“No young person stumbles into a strong faith—they need parents to be intentional in guiding them.” – Barrett Johnson, author of Disciple Them Like Jesus.
Listen to the full episode on the TalkItUp podcast below or on your favorite podcast platform to gain more encouragement and insights for helping your children follow Jesus in today’s complex world.