Raising Kids To Love God
One of the most tender questions I hear from moms is this: “How do I raise children who love God?” It’s a question rooted in deep love, faith, and a desire to pass on what matters most. If you’re a Christ-following mama, chances are this longing lives in your heart too.
But what does that actually look like in real life? How do we nurture a genuine love for God in our children and focus on raising kids to love God?
Let me begin with a little encouragement: you’re not going to do it perfectly. None of us do. We’re human—and thankfully, God’s grace covers both us and our children. He’s not asking for perfection. He’s asking for faithfulness.
So no, you don’t give up. You lean in, you plant seeds, and you trust the Lord with the growth.
“Children learn more from observation than information.” Don’t pass that by. Take that in and be mindful of that as you go throughout your day.
You are your child’s first glimpse of what God is like—His love, His care, His forgiveness. It all starts with how you love them. And I know you do—otherwise, you wouldn’t be here, reading this, seeking to pour more purpose and faith into your parenting.
So how can a mom be intentional about raising children who love God? It really comes down to two things: what they observe in you, and what you model for them day by day. Let’s dive into what that looks like… keep reading!
Raising Kids To Love God: What Do You Want Them To Observe in You?
Raising Kids to Love God by Reading God’s Word
Being in God’s word regularly and letting them see you is a great place to start. Keep your Bible out in the open and read from it often. Let them see you.
Memorize verses and use God’s word when it applies.
Live What You Teach
Live out your words in your home to the best of your ability. We are all imperfect and will mess up. I have lost my temper, yelled, and said things that were not kind. That’s just being human.
I specifically remember losing it one day when my windows were open. My neighbors were standing right outside the window. Talk about humbling and embarrassing. It happens to the best of us, mama!!
The important question is this. Are you characterized by that behavior? Is it your norm or was it out of the ordinary? If you mess up are you humble and able to admit your sin and apologize for your behavior?
If you want your kids to know you’re serious about your faith—to see that you’re truly walking “in a manner worthy”—then it’s essential that they witness your walk with Christ not just outside your home, but even more so inside your home.
Your everyday life is the most powerful example they’ll ever see of what it means to follow Jesus. And yes, that can feel like a lot of pressure—but the truth is, we can’t expect our children to desire something we aren’t willing to pursue ourselves.
When our two oldest sons were 1 and 3 we were on vacation with another family. We started talking about discipline and raising children. The other mom made the following statement, “I just think with a lot of love they will turn out great.”
Not gonna lie, at the time hubby and I had a little chuckle about that sentiment. What about discipline, consequences, boundaries, first-time obedience…you get the picture.
Now to set the stage, she had one child…a girl, and we had two children…both boys. For the moms of boys reading this, you understand.
I’ve been thinking about that conversation a lot and I think we were both right. No discipline can be received without the foundation of love first.
The reason we discipline our children is purely out of love. It is not out of anger or seeking perfection, but to raise a child who loves God, loves us, and loves others. Loving them fully consists of unconditional love, respect, forgiveness, grace, reconciliation, etc.
Attending Church
Attend church regularly and bring them along. This can be a challenge today with sports on Sunday, yard work, and frankly, the busyness of life. However, I want to challenge you to commit to being in church as much as possible.
If you don’t have a church, now is the perfect time to find one. If you have been away from church and have gotten in the habit of watching online, perhaps it’s time to consider going back in person.
You are creating a habit in your children. When your children leave your home this will be part of their routine and they will hopefully desire it in their own lives.
Find a church you all love and attend together. Encourage youth activities and service. The more they get involved, the more they will feel at home.
Talking About God
Openly, gently, and lovingly point them to God throughout the day. Share a verse or introduce bits and pieces of verses into your sentences. This will become a habit. Put signs, Post-It notes, whatever it takes, around your house with Bible verses.
These verses in Deuteronomy are some of my favorites regarding motherhood and modeling faith.
Praying
Take the time to pray at mealtime and bedtime. Pray for other’s needs with your children. Let your children witness you in prayer. If you see an accident or hear of someone who is sick, take a moment, pause, and pray.
The impact of this practice is great. God’s word says to pray without ceasing or pray continually depending on which version you read. Speak “throw up” prayers all day long. Some people like to refer to them as “popcorn prayers“.
Keep the lines of communication open with God. This is something I did quietly but wish I would have done out loud a little more. Learn from my mistakes ❤️
Pointing Out God’s Creation
As you go about your day, look for ways to point your child to God. “Look at the flowers”. “Isn’t the moon amazing?” Point out how the trees come back to life in the spring.
Pointing Out God’s Provision
Point out all the things God has provided and remind them to be thankful. Likewise, don’t complain about what you don’t have in front of them but show an attitude of gratefulness and thankfulness for what you do have.
Modeling contentment and thankfulness packs a punch. I love the book Raising Grateful Kids In An Entitled World by Kristen Welch. I highly recommend it!
Raising Kids To Love God: The Qualities You Want to Model
Kindness
Be kind to your husband, children, and to those around you. Remember, more is caught than taught. Children quickly pick up on disrespectful behavior and repeat patterns they see in you. This can go either way. It can be a good thing or a not-so-good thing.
AWE
Be an AWE person. What does that mean? I read about this term a few years ago and it has stuck with me ever since.
Affection
Your children need your affection. Offer it to them often and with abundance. Let them feel your arms around them.
Warmth
Be warm with your children. Use a loving tone. Invite them into your space and your heart.
Encouragement
Be your child’s biggest cheerleader. Build them up. Praise them when they do well.
Care For Your Home
By creating a loving home environment you are showing them the goodness of God through your home.
Does your home feel like a warm hug?
Do they feel safe and secure?
Do they feel like they can ask anything and feel safe?
Can they ask questions concerning faith, life, or anything?
Forgiveness
Model forgiveness to your children. Apologize when you are in the wrong. Ask for their forgiveness.
Respect
We’ve lost sight of the fact that we are the ones who teach our children respect by requiring it from them.
If your children learn to respect you, it will be easier for them to respect God. This is the first glimpse our kids get of how to respect God. Show them to respect God by requiring them to respect you.
See more on respect in these posts: The Importance of Teaching Respect at Home and What Every Child Needs From Mom: Respect
Daily Routines With God
Establish daily routines with them involving God. When they are young, have a nightly routine of Bible reading and praying. Pray at meals.
When they get a little older, encourage them to read and pray on their own. Provide the resources and materials they need to foster that habit. I suggest age-appropriate Bibles, devotionals, and Christian growth books.
For more on routines, go to Elements Of An Effective Evening Routine For Mom and Morning Routines To Help Every Mom
Encourage them to hide God’s word in their heart. Psalm 119:11. Get Your Complete List of 55 Memory Verses For Children
Once God’s Word is in their heart, it will always be there. If they stray, God can use it to bring them back to Him.
Raising Kids To Love God: Conclusion
God is a God of order and justice, but of love and grace. Show them all aspects of him by being God in the flesh in your home.
I am a firm believer in discipline, boundaries, and consequences. But also of love and forgiveness and grace. Find a balance. Find more on these topics at
7 Attributes of a Happy Peace-Filled Home (Part 1)
7 Attributes of a Happy Peace-Filled Home (Part 2)
7 Attributes of a Happy & Peace-filled Home (Part 3)
Show your children how to serve by modeling it for them. Give them opportunities to serve others. When they experience the feeling of serving others, it will make them want to do it more.
It’s a lot, mama, but you can do it. Motherhood is a hard journey that requires a lot of work. But nothing worth having comes easy. I can’t think of anything better and worth having than children who love you and love God.
If you feel like you’ve messed up, start today and move forward. Don’t look back. Ultimately, your children are in God’s hands, and their relationship with God is up to them. This is a way for you to grow in your faith by trusting your children to God.
Pray for them often and release them to God, but never, ever give up. God is able to do more than we ask or imagine.
Ultimately, it is a decision your children have to make, and it is between them and God. Moms carry a lot of guilt if their child strays from God when they become an adult. If you trust God and take philosophy of no guilt, no glory, this can help you as one navigates those feelings of guilt. God is in control-not us.
Do your best, Mama. That is all God asks of you.
Much Love,
Kim
RELATED POSTS:
The Importance of Teaching Respect at Home
What Every Child Needs From Mom: Respect
Elements Of An Effective Evening Routine For Mom
Morning Routines To Help Every Mom
7 Attributes of a Happy Peace-Filled Home (Part 1)
