What if the most significant spiritual impact you could ever make isn't in the church but in your own home? We’ll explore the crucial role families play in shaping the faith of the next generation. The journey of spiritual formation starts young, and the early years are foundational in determining a child's lifelong relationship with Jesus.

Parents and grandparents have a unique and powerful opportunity to disciple their children, teaching them not just with words but through the way they live out the gospel daily. We'll discuss practical steps to creating an environment where faith is more than just a Sunday ritual but a vibrant, everyday experience.

The responsibility of passing down faith starts in our homes, where the seeds of faith are planted and nurtured. This message will challenge you to take an active and intentional role in your children's faith journey, guiding them to make a relationship with Jesus their own. Are you ready to make your home a place where faith thrives? Join us to learn how you can leave a lasting spiritual legacy for generations to come.

Scripture Reference: Deuteronomy 6:1-9 (ESV)

• Verses 1-3 – Now this is the commandment—the statutes and the rules—that the Lord your God commanded me to teach you, that you may do them in the land to which you are going over, to possess it, that you may fear the Lord your God, you and your son and your son's son, by keeping all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be long.
• Verses 4-5 – Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
• Verses 6-9 – And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

1. Faith Formation Involves Everyone

• Deuteronomy 6:3-4 – "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one."
• Insight: Faith formation is not just the responsibility of parents but involves the entire faith community.
• Barna Group Key Finding:
• Children are three times more likely to read the Bible independently, obey the Scriptures, and rank church attendance as the high point of the week when they have meaningful relationships with one or more adults in their church.

2. Faith Formation Starts with Me

• Deuteronomy 6:5-6 – "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart."
• Personal commitment to God is essential for faith formation.
• Eugene Peterson (The Message):
• "Write these commandments that I’ve given you today on your hearts. Get them inside of you, and then get them inside your children.

3. Faith Formation is a Journey

• Deuteronomy 6:7 – "You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."
• Faith formation is an ongoing, daily journey that happens in everyday life.
• Practical Examples:
• At home: When families eat together at least five times a week, they build strong, enduring bonds.
• In the car: When you’re in the car, your family is a captive audience!
• At bedtime: For the most part, children are more spiritually sensitive and open at bedtime. (Phil Bell)

4. Faith Formation is Deliberate

• Deuteronomy 6:8-9 – "You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."
• Faith formation requires a structured environment.
• It doesn’t happen by accident—it’s a deliberate, intentional process.

5. Implications for Faith Formation

• 1. God wants parents to take the primary role in fostering their children’s faith.
• 2. God wants the community of faith (the local church) to take a secondary and supportive role in fostering children’s faith.
• 3. God wants us to foster faith so that we, our children, and grandchildren will respect and love the Lord as long as we live (cf. Deuteronomy 6:2).

Additional Insights:

• A child needs you to help them grow up with Jesus.

Additional Resources

• Blog: christianparentingbasics.com
• Resources: christianbookscanada.ca