Most evenings, I blame myself for the lack of Christian spirituality that I impart to my two-year-old son throughout the day. The hectic monotony of life takes over and I spend more time cleaning peanut butter off the couch than instilling the values of faith in my child’s heart.
You can understand. The good news, though, is that God knew what He was doing when He chose us to be a mom. He knew which children to give us, and he was well aware of our humanity – all its sins and limitations – when he honored us with the name “Mommy.”
God is neither shocked nor deterred by our humanity as mothers, but even in our messy rhythms of life, we can find simple ways to incorporate faith-based truths into the hearts and minds of our children.
If you feel led to revamp your spiritual role as a mom, making faith the leader of your home each day, consider these simple faith-based activities to do with your children that will inspire them to pursue God in everyday moments:
1. Devotion and morning prayer
As a mom of two little ones, I’ve recently discovered how valuable and necessary a set schedule can be. It lets children know what to expect in their day and allows for a more natural pace and flow, ensuring that the day does not feel scattered or unproductive.
That said, I have incorporated a morning devotion into our breakfast routine. I sit my toddler down at the table to eat, although he much prefers to walk around with pancakes and breakfast bars in hand. We say a prayer of thanks for our breakfast, and while he eats, I read a Psalm.
It’s not a fancy devotional book that costs money – and it doesn’t require any crafts or activities that I know my toddler won’t sit still long enough to participate in. It’s simply the Bible, which is what our children need more than anything. What I love most about this simple devotional is that when I open the Bible and start reading, my two-year-old is genuinely curious. He stops what he’s doing and listens…even if it’s only for a verse or two.
In the meantime, I start my day off right, rooted in the Word. It’s a win-win!
2. Christian music
You don’t need to create a complicated VBS-style dance routine so your kids can enjoy Christian music as part of your daily routine.
Have it playing in the background while you make breakfast or run errands. But if the kids need a way to relax before nap time, have a fun dance party in the living room. (Nothing tires you out like a good old round of “Father Abraham,” right?)
PS – Listener Kids is a great Christian brand for children. They have fun, upbeat renditions of Christian classics. My oldest son asks for their songs!
3. Bible-Based Coloring Pages and Activities
It’s easy to spark creativity in those little hands with Bible-based coloring and art activities. Even if you don’t have the time or, let’s face it, the reason to complete an elaborate craft project, Hobby Lobby and Amazon have made it easy to purchase Bible coloring books, sticker books, and other creative kits for your child to incorporate art and faith.
Meanwhile, you can discuss biblical truths in their activity pages. Remember, it’s not just about telling them a Bible story, but also having conversations about how these Bible stories are alive in their everyday world. Take advantage of this creative opportunity to make faith less of a disconnected story and more of what it really is: a life-giving antidote for their little souls.
Bonus points: You can join in on this simple fun, because coloring is adult therapy in itself!
4. Bible-Based Cooking
One of the most memorable and incredible aspects of my faith was a trip to my hometown’s Antiquities Center, a Bible-based history museum that hosts biblically inspired events. I participated in a traditional Passover meal and was deeply moved by the beauty and meaning of each part.
You probably don’t want to take your little ones to something like this, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use the Bible to inspire fun in cooking.
Have you recently told your little ones about the children of Israel wandering in the desert? Make it unleavened bread (like manna). Have you read anything about Passover? Try hosting your own Passover meal at home. Did you just read that Jesus turned water into wine? Grab some water and food coloring and let the kids have fun.
On Christmas Day, bake Jesus a birthday cake. After learning that Jesus fed the 5,000 people, make cupcakes with goldfish and communion crackers (as bread) on top.
There are many ways to incorporate the Bible into baking. You have to be a little creative!
5. Home theater
Have a movie night – complete with buckets of popcorn, cozy blankets, white lights and all the fun accessories – and watch some of your favorite Christian films.
At Easter we love watching the VeggieTales episode about the chocolate bunny. Every Christmas day we watch The Nativity. We are also very, very big fans of The Chosen. Then there’s The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, War Room, I Still Believe and many other Christian films, from fantasy to romance, that the whole family can enjoy.
What your children watch, they will absorb into their hearts, so why not use entertainment to spend quality time with them, snuggled up on the couch, and watching inspiring, faith-filled films?
6. Service activity
I remember when a hotel just minutes from my childhood home housed a family who were victims of Hurricane Katrina, with two small children who had lost everything. My mom took my little sister and me to the store and bought stickers and coloring books to make little baskets for them. We then took them to the hotel to introduce them to the children.
Sure, it was just a few stickers and activity books – nothing more than a few Dollar General toys – but my mother’s kindness and desire to care for those who did not leave my mind. It never will. I want to do the same for and with my children, teaching them to serve others while watching the posture of my heart soften as I share these experiences with them.
Whether it’s volunteering several times a month at a clothes closet, soup kitchen, or homeless shelter, or decorating cards and/or crafts and delivering them to a hospice or nursing home, teach your children what consistent service looks like. Participate in at least 1-2 service projects with your children each month.
Let them find their place, a place they feel led to serve, and accompany them as they use their talents and passions to love others as Christ loves them. (What a good time to share with them Matthew 20:28: “…just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many. “)
7. Conversation Starters
Don’t underestimate the impact simple conversation starters can have. Take some popsicle sticks and write basic questions on them: “Today I feel anxious because _______,” “______ showed me grace when _______,” “I believe I could bear witness to _______,” “I’m afraid of _______ because _______.” » Once a week, or a few times a month, ask your children to mindlessly select an ice cream stick and respond to it.
This allows you to monitor their emotional and mental well-being and, in doing so, instill biblical truths through Scripture, your kind words, and stories of God’s faithfulness into your own life.
Don’t hesitate to ask these questions on car rides, while you’re shopping, when everyone is cleaning up dinner, etc. The more you make these kinds of conversations seem casual/normal, the more your children will see the beauty of incorporating Christ and the “deep things” into their daily lives.
My journey to faith actually began when I was in the back seat of my mother’s green minivan, asking her questions about heaven and how to get there. So don’t underestimate how God can guide your conversations to have an eternal impact on the hearts and souls of your children.
The Blessing of Daily, Boring Faithfulness
In our church, we constantly discuss the importance of what we call “daily, boring faithfulness.” David’s faith was not defined by the killing of Goliath, although that was certainly positive proof of his radical love and belief in God’s faithfulness. Rather, David’s faith was defined by the small, quiet, insignificant moments he showed up each day to protect his father’s sheep. It was there that he sang songs to God and learned what it meant to protect innocent people from lions and bears.
This is what it means to raise little disciples, to become mothers with godly intentions. He embraces the painfully boring and monotonous rhythms of life, yet chooses to use those moments to incorporate a little fun with a lot of biblical truth. This is where your children see that faith means more than just the highlights. It becomes something they can access and participate in every day. It is faith that will sustain them and bring them home.
This is the beautiful weight of your calling as a mother, giving meaning to faith no matter how boring, difficult, confusing, scary, monotonous, happy or sad life is. What a legacy and what an honor!
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Rudi Suardi
