As a pastor and parent, I often hear the same question phrased a dozen different ways: “How can I raise my kids to follow Jesus in today’s world?” The concern is real – and justified. We live in a culture that not only dismisses Christian faith, but increasingly labels it as outdated, intolerant, or irrelevant. Our children are growing up in a digital age of instant opinions, moral confusion, and increasing hostility to biblical values. But here’s the good news: this isn’t the first time God’s people have raised children in difficult circumstances. In fact, the Bible gives us a clear roadmap for spiritual parenting in hostile times – starting with an ancient command that’s more relevant than ever:
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up” (Deuteronomy 6:5–7, NIV).
This passage reminds us that raising faithful children begins not with fear of the culture – but with love for God. As we walk with God in everyday life, we invite our children to do the same. It’s not about being perfect parents – it’s about being present, prayerful, and intentional. Here are six practical ways to begin raising faithful kids – even in a hostile world:
The first practical way is to go first. Children are excellent observers and poor interpreters. They may not understand theology, but they understand example. If they see you reading your Bible, praying, worshiping, and loving others – they’ll learn that your faith is real. Don’t underestimate the power of a simple habit: sitting in your chair with an open Bible. Even if your kids don’t say anything, they notice. Show them what it looks like to follow Jesus in your daily life. Be honest about your failures and quick to show grace. A lived-out faith is the best curriculum they’ll ever have.
The second practical way to raise faithful kids in a hostile world is to encourage your kids to engage with God’s Word and God’s people. Faith isn’t inherited – it’s cultivated. That means we must help our kids develop their own relationship with Jesus. Encourage them to read the Bible on their level. Consider age-appropriate devotionals, Bible apps, or family reading plans. Celebrate small steps, and don’t guilt them into “religious performance.” Instead, foster curiosity and consistency. Also, don’t minimize the role of church. Your church isn’t a babysitting service; it’s a spiritual community that supports your child’s formation. Get them involved in children’s or youth ministry. Help them build relationships with godly mentors and peers who will walk with them when life gets hard. If your church reads through the Bible together, join in and encourage your children to do the same. If not, join our church. You can text “rlcBible” to 94000 and receive a chapter a day as we walk through God’s Word together.
The next way to raise faithful children is to talk about God around the dinner table or on your daily commute. Some of the best spiritual conversations aren’t scheduled – they’re spontaneous. That’s exactly what Deuteronomy 6 is teaching: use the normal moments of life to talk about God. Mealtimes are perfect for this. Make it a habit to ask questions like, “What did you learn about God this week? How can we pray for each other? What was a high and a low from your day?” These questions create space for spiritual reflection and build a habit of talking about faith in everyday life. Remember, you don’t have to be a Bible scholar – just be a curious and caring parent.
The fourth way to raise faithful children in a hostile world is to not be afraid to engage with their doubts instead of avoiding them. One of the fastest ways to drive a wedge between your child and their faith is to ignore or dismiss their doubts. If your kids bring up questions about the Bible, God, or culture – thank them. That means they trust you enough to wrestle out loud. Help them work through tough questions by doing research together. Admit when you don’t know the answer and commit to finding it. Show them that faith can handle hard questions, and that God invites honest seeking (see Jeremiah 29:13 and Matthew 7:7). The bottom line is you don’t have to know everything with 100% certainty. The point is to know enough to make a good decision.
Another way to engage with your children is to protect their inputs without over-isolating. We can’t completely shield our kids from the world, but we can shape what they’re exposed to during formative years. You’re not “sheltering” your kids – you’re guiding them. That means setting healthy limits on what they watch, listen to, and engage with online. Monitor devices. Know their friends. Be proactive, not paranoid. At the same time, prepare them to live in the world with wisdom. Talk about what they’re seeing. Teach them how to think critically and biblically, not just what to avoid. As Jesus said, we are to be “in the world but not of it” (John 17:14-16).
One more way to raise faithful children in a hostile world is to make prayer a natural part of your family dynamic. Prayer doesn’t have to be long or formal – it just needs to be regular. Pray before school, before meals, before bed, and during struggles. Let your kids hear you pray for them, for their friends, for your neighbors, and for wisdom in daily decisions. You’re not just teaching them to pray – you’re showing them that God is near and interested in every detail of their lives. Even a short, sincere prayer can become a spiritual anchor that stays with them for decades. Establishing a prayer rhythm in your family is one of those things that takes time. However, if your child knows that you are going to pray, you’ll be surprised when they ask you to pray for a friend who is going through something. This always gives you an extra window into what troubles your child and what stays on their mind.
As we all get back into the season of school, busier schedules, and the race toward the holiday, it can be difficult to adjust to our ever-changing culture. Raising faithful kids in a hostile culture is not impossible – it just takes intentionality. We don’t need to panic about the culture around us. Instead, we need to double down on loving God with all our hearts and impressing His truth on the next generation. Start where you are. Keep it simple. Be consistent. And trust that God will take your efforts and multiply them in ways you can’t yet see.
Our goal is not to raise “church-attenders” – we are raising disciples… one conversation at a time.
-by Brandon Cannon, Pastor, Real Life Church
